Is Parable of the Sower a feminist novel?
Parable of the Sower has some feminist themes, although these are not the sole focus of the novel. Certainly, part of Butler’s purpose is to show a strong African-American woman succeeding in exceptionally difficult circumstances. Although Harry is the same age as Lauren, and they start the trek north together, there is no doubt that Lauren is the leader. None of the men who join the group challenge her authority. She lays down the rules and the others follow because they see that doing so is in their best interests. However, it is a sign of the times in which they live that Lauren must disguise herself as a man in order to be maximally effective. In a violent world, men still have control. Male violence against women is an underlying theme in the novel. The Gilchrist sisters, for example, are forced into prostitution by their cruel, drunken father. Another example is the corrupt employer of Travis and Natividad, who subjects Natividad to sexual harassment. A third example of male oppr
