The purpose of communities is multifaceted in Octavia Butler's novel "Parable of the Sower," functioning as a source of survival, resilience, and hope in a world ravaged by the ravages of epidemic, climate change, and social breakdown. Characters in the story, such as Lauren Olamina and her friends, form and sustain bonds with one another to form communities that provide protection, support, and a sense of belonging in a harsh and unpredictable environment. The author shows the relevance of human needs for connection, cooperation, and shared values in the face of adversity via personal experiences. In the story, one of the fundamental functions of communities is survival. The characters form communities to shield themselves from the outer …show more content…
On their voyage, Lauren and her companions confront several challenges, including encounters with unfriendly persons and groups. Their community, however, provides emotional support, shared resources, and collective problem-solving abilities. When Lauren, for example, becomes unwell, her community rallies around her, providing care and support to aid in her recovery. This exemplifies how communities can develop resilience by pooling individual skills and resources to overcome hardship. Communities provide a sense of optimism in the novel's grim post-apocalyptic future. Lauren develops the Earthseed belief system, which serves as a unifying factor in her community. Earthseed believes that change and adaptability are inherent in God and the universe. Lauren's community finds consolation and significance in her belief system, which provides them with meaning and direction in a world that appears chaotic and meaningless. Lauren, for example, says, "Earthseed is a real faith for me, for us. And because it's a real faith, it can give us the strength to change our lives" (Butler 247). This demonstrates how communities may offer hope and motivation to continue in the face of