Emma Fox, Maya Fontana, Gabbie Lessard, Hannah Mitchell
Parable of the Sower & Pumzi
1. The militarization of the workplace: armed guards, surveillance
2. Idea of the Earth Seed: change, Woman planting tree, starting the growth of trees again: taking root in a new environment: our truth Mother seed in film
3. Lack of trust between individuals and lack of freedom: two women working together
4. Brutal environment
Questions
1. How does the idea of our truth, or mother seed in Pumzi relate to Earth seed morale in Parable of the Sower?
2. How are the fires within Parable of the Sower relatable to the drought-like conditions present in Pumzi?
3. Is the lack of freedom present in both pieces relatable to life now?
Connections between film and novel:
– Both open with a dream
– Distrust in authority
– Authority/government don’t seem to do much to help their people, nor do they listen to their people’s issues
– The ‘outside’ and sense of being protected by staying inside
– Both main characters question their reality at a turning point; driven by ambition and wanting change
– Both struggle in a society struck by the climate crisis and the lack of water
– The societies both live in have been largely broken down and at least somewhat dystopic
Questions:
1. When the camera zooms out on the forest at the end, what does that signify? Do the council members know about it and are intentionally keeping silent? Or is it supposed to represent change?
2. Both the film and the novel shows a society where people face the very real struggle of lacking safe, potable water. How do you think our society would change if we had to face the same struggles? Do you think our society would become a dystopia?
3. Is the community in the film genuinely sustainable? There are visuals claiming they are “100% sustainable” and visually show them creating their own energy. Yet, the individuals are of a specific group (only shows young adults) and their humanity is being suppressed.
4. Where she plants the seed/sapling the landscape is littered with other dead trees; perhaps this is referencing that other people have come to the same place before with the same goal in mind and all failed?
Nona: Asha is similar to Lauren in that they both want ‘more/better’. They have a desire for nature and it’s growth. They both seem to resist ‘the norm’ in a way that is hidden – at least for a short time. I also think that both protagonists are willing to sacrifice themselves for nature even if it doesn’t last long for them.
Another connection was the wall ‘as security’ in The Parable of the Sower in connection with the underground society in Pumzi. Leaving these areas were deemed unsafe. However, both the book and the film indicate that there is a better life away from their current homes. What delegates the ‘upper and lower’ classes of people in both the film and the book?
Ben: In the novel, there is the symbolism of the wall. The “wall” in the film is embodied in the form of the state. The state is the enactor of the facade in that they inhibit those who are its subjects from seeing the “truth” so as to reinforce its totalitarian regime. It poses similar questions to the novel, such as: what is truly inhibiting the characters from moving past this mythical barrier? Is it power? Is it fear as a result of power? More generally, how do both of these works show the power of the state in dictating the ways in which people believe or deem something as truth?
Andrew & Zoe: One connection I made from the book to the short film was the importance of water. In a future wrecked by climate change water stands as a symbol of life, connection to others, as well as the world itself. In the short film, water is constantly the focus of the camera’s eye. The sharing of water between the protagonist and the custodian is seen as a revolutionary act, and the film makes it clear that access to water is dependent on status in the social hierarchy. In Parable of the Sower, water plays an equally important role. Access to water is scarce and its value is incredibly inflated. At one point Lauren mentions how expensive water is when discussing her baptism: “Dad insisted on fresh, clean, potable water for the baptism. He couldn’t afford it of course. Who could?” (chapter 2). In chapter 3 Lauren’s father also says that “water costs several times as much as gasoline”. In the film water is most accessible to people of higher class, this can be seen in the protagonists’ interaction with the custodian. In The Parable of the Sower, Lauren mentions how only rich people can afford access to clean water and fire fighting services. How does this portrayal of water connect with the trajectory of climate change and social inequality that the world is experiencing at current times? Is the portrayal of water symbolic as a metaphor or is it a stark warning for a coming future?
Nate: Is there a connection between the Hyperempathy that Lauren has and how Asha was still able to see her dreams even after taking her suppressant? In the book, it forces Lauren to take in the feelings of others, the good and the bad and keeps them to herself. While in the movie Asha still shares her dreams with others for a purpose that shows good and bad depending on the eyes of the viewer. With the effects of the world and things happening should we choose to keep them to ourselves and not share our feelings and opinions towards advocating for the betterment of society in connection to climate change and other detrimental factors?
Jazmin L, Zara Wilson, Olive Burress, Josh Baucom, RJ Brooks
One point of contact that we saw in the film and in Parable of the Sower is the reluctance of both societies to engage with unconventional realities. For example, in Parable of the Sower, Laurens’s hyperempathy is delegitimized by her father and widely looked down upon by society, calling it a disease. She often laments it/sees it as a weakness because of this. In Pumzi, the protagonist experiences precognitive dreams even after taking dream-suppressant drugs. She tries to show her authorities that these dreams are providing a path/hope for their regenerative future, but they deny that they have any meaning. In what way are these examples a commentary on how our society suppresses “unconventional” mental models? In what way is society currently repressing potentially liberating solutions by invalidating unorthodox experiences?
Another point of contact that we made is that the qualities that make both protagonists successful are these unaccepted qualities. They are also both set in catastrophic conditions set in motion by neglecting the environment. Also in both scenarios, the protagonist had to remove themselves from society to seek their truth. The last point of contact we found is that it was specifically the older/founding generations who opposed the dreaming of different realities. For example, with Laurens’s figurative dreams and Pumzi protagonist’s literal dreams. Especially within the context of how horrible the conditions are for these apocalyptic societies, why are they so opposed to new ideas? In what ways does this reflect how in the midst of a climate crisis, our society is perpetuating the methods that created it? Are they both trying to argue that the youth have liberating ideas worth elevating?
Hayden, Anna, & Paul on “Pumzi” & “Parable of the Sower” by Octavia Butler. We notice the importance of water as a resource, drinking their own urine after filtration, and the longevity of plastic in the environment, despite the overall aesthetic of the future, and the impermanence of commerce and corporate interest, noted by the distinguishing design of the one plastic bottle used throughout the film.
With the scarcity of water projected into the future, whereas a resource to be shared, combined with the symbolism of the one tree in her dream, what do you think this paradox of the one non-repurposed item of the bottle, being reused consistently, has to say about the greater priorities of this future generation?
We also found it interesting that higher-ups, leaders of this civilization, were so adamant of Asha taking “dream suppressants,” and that the dirt coming from the outside showed her the vision that she followed to plant the seed in a selfless act, once noting of the soil coming to life. Similar to EarthSeed in Parable of the Sower, both of the main characters deviate from the norm, and break the rules in an attempt to replant that seed of life.
With such a cohesive portrayal of the future, where water is scarce, although it seems technology, whereas nature has become an afterthought, barely existent in one’s dreams, is this something not as a dystopia but something that can actually happen in our future?
As “Pumzi” translates to breath in Swahili (IMDB), what do you think this film is really about?
After viewing the short film Pumzi, I can see distant relations between the movie and the book Parable of the Sower. The first thing that stands out to me is the relation of having to leave what they knew. In Parable of sower, Lauren is faced with her neighborhood being raided and many people being killed. After she is forced to leave everything behind in search of a new home and to find a new place to be safe. And when looking at the film Pumzi, the woman is faced with either being oppressed in the colony for disobeying the orders given to her or to go out in search of a new place for the seed to grow. They are both in search of something new and better than what they had before.
Another point of contact I had found between the film and book is their need to make the world a better place for others. When we look at the film, we can obviously see that she left the comfort and safety of her home to risk her life out in the desert so that she can plant this tree sproutling for the hopeful revival of the planet and all its plant life. And when we look at the Parable of the sower, we read that Lauren wants to gather people and form communities to look out for each other. She would want people to protect each other and look out for one another as well as teach the illiterate and grow food and plants together with the other hypothetical community members. Overall, they just want to do better for the planet.
After finding some points of contact and common themes, I pose some questions. Should both of them have left where they were originally? Laruen in her neighborhood and the woman in the colony. Could they have made a difference by staying where they were? Laruen could have brought up the Earthseed movement from where she was and the women could have stayed in the colony and shown people the seed and its promise of growing/ Another question that comes to thought is that are these communities really sustainable? We can see in Pumzi that they are creating waste on the surface and they even restrain the minds of the people living there.
Film and Book:
Heavily distrusting of the government or authority figure at hand.
Skewed view of the outside (wall or outside the scifi ship)
Environmental problems and lack of water
Questions:
In today’s time, what social constructs or barriers are in place?
What did you interpret from Asha’s vision?
Can you connect this film to any other medium other than the Parable of the Sower?
Some of the similarities between the film Pumzi, and our reading so far of Parable of the Sower are as follows…
– Water throughout both works is both scarce and rationed thoughtfully by the characters. There is also an element of wonder and love for water and nature by both of the protagonists that seems to be disregarded to an extent by the other characters.
– Most all of the characters are suspicious and cautious of others throughout the book and the film. Both of the protagonists seem to be more hopeful towards life and society as they continue throughout their journeys compared to the other characters.
– The government appears throughout both the book and the film as the overarching body that is supposed to keep the peace by keeping the people in line. This creates the illusion of safety and that by following what is being told it will keep the people safe.
– The government also influences the perception of the “inside” and the “outside” people and how there is this similar fear of those on the outside or the outside spaces. Similarly to our discussions in class, there is this obvious avoidance of problems relating to the “outside world” – everyone appears more comfortable within their little bubble of life.
– There are mentions of seeds, both mother seed (film) and earth seed (book) relating to growth and this sort of higher, bigger being.
– Dreaming (film) and having this sort of outside knowledge is a common theme in both the book and the film that is portrayed as something worrisome that shouldn’t really be discussed or mentioned. We can see this throughout the dreams and the dream pills as well as the go-packs and knowledge gathered through reading.
– Both are set in a sort of post apocalyptic kind of environment. Parable of the Sower takes a point of view of a poor, struggling post apocalyptic area vs Pumzi being a more “put together’ more well off community in a post apocalyptic area.
– Similarities in the use of walls and structure that are meant to act as safety devices but they seem to act more as security.
– There is a heightened sense of individuality between humans that intensifies in the midst of economic, political, and environmental catastrophes.
– Greater society adheres to a techno-optimist approach as a way to organize and ‘progress’, meanwhile the protagonists have faith in simple actions that create a wide-scale impact (planting seeds, sharing).
Our Questions
1. Are the dream suppressants in the film and the common understanding in the book about staying within your own boundaries representing fear of the outside/unknown? Is there a deeper element of the fear of higher power?
2. In both the film and the book, only the protagonists want to push for change and find a better future. They struggle to convince others or have support from others to do the same. In our own current society, how do we convince others that we need to make changes to ensure that our society doesn’t end up like the ones in the book and film?
3. Is it coincidental that in both the book and the short film individuals are portrayed as competing with each other, and viewing each other as enemies? In the midst of catastrophe, is this mindset just a natural human response? Do you believe that genuine change stems from collaborative efforts?
Peter Bimmel, Charlie Manta, Chesney Crouch, Rustyn Orbison, Bo Maiellaro, Dalton Creson, Hannah Barnes
Peter:
-There are obvious parallels between the story and film; a post-apocalyptic type of environment and governance, a fortified community, an authority of violence, scarce resources, and a protagonist that seeks new life outside the callus parameters.
-“Now is a time for building foundations—Earthseed communities—focused on the Destiny. After all, my heaven really exists, and you don’t have to die to reach it. ‘The Destiny of Earthseed is to take root among the stars,’ or among the ashes.” I nodded toward the burned area” (chapter 18).
-This line can be interpreted as both a parallel and contrast to the film PUMZI, where the last plant takes root (17:44).
-In “Parable of the Sower”, the Destiny of Earthseed is more or less, leave the Earth or parish. Whereas in PUMZI, the protagonist attempts to revive the Earth. In general, which course of action is the “right” one? Which is a sustainable path and for whom?
Chesney :
-The idea of being trapped, or contained within a compound can be seen in both Parable of the Sower and PUMZI. There are also obvious ideas associated with “inside” and “outside” in both works, such as the inside being safe and the outside being dangerous. Butler writes, “She’s only been gone for a week, but a week outside must be like a week in hell” (Chapter 8). This shows the perceptions that are presented of the outside and how it is terrible, similar to how the outside is presented in PUMZI- the main character is told she can not go outside because it’s dead, and must actually escape in order to get out.
Charlie:
-To build off of Chesney’s idea, it is clear that living a life on the inside may be miserable and quality of life may be bad. However, they believe the outside is much worse or reach a certain comfort on the inside where they can at least adapt to the conditions they are living in.
-Another part from the film that really stood out to me was when she went outside and used every bit of water and sweat she had left just so the tree could grow. This indicates two things about the current state of the world today: one is that people need to be more selfless for us to be able to have an improved planet as we move forward; and the other is that just because we may not have to deal with the future of global warming and climate change does not mean we shouldn’t do everything we can to improve the state of the planet for future generations.
Rustyn:
-Both the film and Parable of Sower emphasize the distrust of authority and the corruption within. And the idea of homes being ravaged, but still being home.
Question:
-Seeds are a big part of Parable of Sower and Pumzi. Do you think seeds are enough? If the people in today’s world can do little actions (metaphorical seeds) would they grow big enough/soon enough to make significant change? Or is only large collective action now of any use?
-There is a heavy sense of outside/versus inside and that one is safer amongst both Parable of Sower and Pumzi, is that relevant to today and the fact that water is sometimes unsafe to swim in and that natural disasters are ravaging natural landscapes?
-Water is a huge point in both pieces of media and water is becoming a commodity in today’s society with clean water slimming down. Water has become something that many people fight for. Do you think both pieces of media chose water as a message to people today? Rather than something like oil because water affects more common people rather than the wealthier people?
Lily Ervin, Hannah Mitchell, Anna Freedman-Scott, Maya Fontana, Jade Patterson
After watching the short film Pumzi and reading Parable of the Sower by Butler it is obvious that there are frequent themes that develop throughout the both of these important pieces. Overall the overarching themes have to do with nature, creation and how the journey is never ending. Both of these works involve female protagonists who stray away from the ‘norm’ in search of their truths. Water is a very impactful role in both the film and novel. In parable of the sower water can be seen as representing wealth and affluence. This is due to the communities lacking accessible water, which is something that we can relate to our world today. This brings us into our first question, the book is dated as 2024 which is only 2-3 years away from us now. What other similarities can we find through the novel that compare to our society today? How can we use the novel’s ideas and conclusions to create solutions for our society in the future specifically? Both the novel and the film also compare with each other on the theme of post-apocalyptic and dystopian societies in the future. The future outlook on the world is an important piece to both the novel and book, as the protagonists of both are working towards future challenges of their world. The female protagonists are seeking to expand their knowledge of theories by looking beyond what they are taught and beyond what they comprehend. They feel they must adapt to their environment so they can seek solutions for the future. By doing this they will be able to adapt to their challenges and bring about the ‘truth’. But, since both narratives are from determined and privileged females trying to aid the citizens of the future, do you believe the narrative leans into a defeatist/victim mindset or a leader/strategist position? How would each protagonist approach their struggles had they not had a background of privilege and comfort?
Audrey, Sara, Rosie, Cole, and Morgan
Connections between the film and the book:
– separation from the outside world
– presence of drug like substances
– connection between main characters of hyper empathetic feelings
– people in power do not want things to change
– idea of the seed, movie: physically book: theoretically
– a sense of community even if they do not necessarily like eachother
– fighting over lack of water
1. Why does like the people of power in both of these communities see helping people of lesser status of them to be a threat?
2. In what ways do the main characters in both the film and book represent nature resiliency through the defiance of the social norms that exist in both of their societies?
3. In what ways are these different types of media effective in engaging the audience in the understanding of how current environmental issues may result in a sort of society that is represented in these
4. What does the ending of the film say about what we need to learn in order to prevent this from happening in our society? Is this a comment our need for sacrafice?
SD 3800 Voices in Sustainable Development 
Emma Fox, Maya Fontana, Gabbie Lessard, Hannah Mitchell
Parable of the Sower & Pumzi
1. The militarization of the workplace: armed guards, surveillance
2. Idea of the Earth Seed: change, Woman planting tree, starting the growth of trees again: taking root in a new environment: our truth Mother seed in film
3. Lack of trust between individuals and lack of freedom: two women working together
4. Brutal environment
Questions
1. How does the idea of our truth, or mother seed in Pumzi relate to Earth seed morale in Parable of the Sower?
2. How are the fires within Parable of the Sower relatable to the drought-like conditions present in Pumzi?
3. Is the lack of freedom present in both pieces relatable to life now?
Bella, Isabel, Cat, Grace, Laney, Stella, Rustyn
Connections between film and novel:
– Both open with a dream
– Distrust in authority
– Authority/government don’t seem to do much to help their people, nor do they listen to their people’s issues
– The ‘outside’ and sense of being protected by staying inside
– Both main characters question their reality at a turning point; driven by ambition and wanting change
– Both struggle in a society struck by the climate crisis and the lack of water
– The societies both live in have been largely broken down and at least somewhat dystopic
Questions:
1. When the camera zooms out on the forest at the end, what does that signify? Do the council members know about it and are intentionally keeping silent? Or is it supposed to represent change?
2. Both the film and the novel shows a society where people face the very real struggle of lacking safe, potable water. How do you think our society would change if we had to face the same struggles? Do you think our society would become a dystopia?
3. Is the community in the film genuinely sustainable? There are visuals claiming they are “100% sustainable” and visually show them creating their own energy. Yet, the individuals are of a specific group (only shows young adults) and their humanity is being suppressed.
4. Where she plants the seed/sapling the landscape is littered with other dead trees; perhaps this is referencing that other people have come to the same place before with the same goal in mind and all failed?
Nona: Asha is similar to Lauren in that they both want ‘more/better’. They have a desire for nature and it’s growth. They both seem to resist ‘the norm’ in a way that is hidden – at least for a short time. I also think that both protagonists are willing to sacrifice themselves for nature even if it doesn’t last long for them.
Another connection was the wall ‘as security’ in The Parable of the Sower in connection with the underground society in Pumzi. Leaving these areas were deemed unsafe. However, both the book and the film indicate that there is a better life away from their current homes. What delegates the ‘upper and lower’ classes of people in both the film and the book?
Ben: In the novel, there is the symbolism of the wall. The “wall” in the film is embodied in the form of the state. The state is the enactor of the facade in that they inhibit those who are its subjects from seeing the “truth” so as to reinforce its totalitarian regime. It poses similar questions to the novel, such as: what is truly inhibiting the characters from moving past this mythical barrier? Is it power? Is it fear as a result of power? More generally, how do both of these works show the power of the state in dictating the ways in which people believe or deem something as truth?
Andrew & Zoe: One connection I made from the book to the short film was the importance of water. In a future wrecked by climate change water stands as a symbol of life, connection to others, as well as the world itself. In the short film, water is constantly the focus of the camera’s eye. The sharing of water between the protagonist and the custodian is seen as a revolutionary act, and the film makes it clear that access to water is dependent on status in the social hierarchy. In Parable of the Sower, water plays an equally important role. Access to water is scarce and its value is incredibly inflated. At one point Lauren mentions how expensive water is when discussing her baptism: “Dad insisted on fresh, clean, potable water for the baptism. He couldn’t afford it of course. Who could?” (chapter 2). In chapter 3 Lauren’s father also says that “water costs several times as much as gasoline”. In the film water is most accessible to people of higher class, this can be seen in the protagonists’ interaction with the custodian. In The Parable of the Sower, Lauren mentions how only rich people can afford access to clean water and fire fighting services. How does this portrayal of water connect with the trajectory of climate change and social inequality that the world is experiencing at current times? Is the portrayal of water symbolic as a metaphor or is it a stark warning for a coming future?
Nate: Is there a connection between the Hyperempathy that Lauren has and how Asha was still able to see her dreams even after taking her suppressant? In the book, it forces Lauren to take in the feelings of others, the good and the bad and keeps them to herself. While in the movie Asha still shares her dreams with others for a purpose that shows good and bad depending on the eyes of the viewer. With the effects of the world and things happening should we choose to keep them to ourselves and not share our feelings and opinions towards advocating for the betterment of society in connection to climate change and other detrimental factors?
Jazmin L, Zara Wilson, Olive Burress, Josh Baucom, RJ Brooks
One point of contact that we saw in the film and in Parable of the Sower is the reluctance of both societies to engage with unconventional realities. For example, in Parable of the Sower, Laurens’s hyperempathy is delegitimized by her father and widely looked down upon by society, calling it a disease. She often laments it/sees it as a weakness because of this. In Pumzi, the protagonist experiences precognitive dreams even after taking dream-suppressant drugs. She tries to show her authorities that these dreams are providing a path/hope for their regenerative future, but they deny that they have any meaning. In what way are these examples a commentary on how our society suppresses “unconventional” mental models? In what way is society currently repressing potentially liberating solutions by invalidating unorthodox experiences?
Another point of contact that we made is that the qualities that make both protagonists successful are these unaccepted qualities. They are also both set in catastrophic conditions set in motion by neglecting the environment. Also in both scenarios, the protagonist had to remove themselves from society to seek their truth. The last point of contact we found is that it was specifically the older/founding generations who opposed the dreaming of different realities. For example, with Laurens’s figurative dreams and Pumzi protagonist’s literal dreams. Especially within the context of how horrible the conditions are for these apocalyptic societies, why are they so opposed to new ideas? In what ways does this reflect how in the midst of a climate crisis, our society is perpetuating the methods that created it? Are they both trying to argue that the youth have liberating ideas worth elevating?
Hayden, Anna, & Paul on “Pumzi” & “Parable of the Sower” by Octavia Butler. We notice the importance of water as a resource, drinking their own urine after filtration, and the longevity of plastic in the environment, despite the overall aesthetic of the future, and the impermanence of commerce and corporate interest, noted by the distinguishing design of the one plastic bottle used throughout the film.
With the scarcity of water projected into the future, whereas a resource to be shared, combined with the symbolism of the one tree in her dream, what do you think this paradox of the one non-repurposed item of the bottle, being reused consistently, has to say about the greater priorities of this future generation?
We also found it interesting that higher-ups, leaders of this civilization, were so adamant of Asha taking “dream suppressants,” and that the dirt coming from the outside showed her the vision that she followed to plant the seed in a selfless act, once noting of the soil coming to life. Similar to EarthSeed in Parable of the Sower, both of the main characters deviate from the norm, and break the rules in an attempt to replant that seed of life.
With such a cohesive portrayal of the future, where water is scarce, although it seems technology, whereas nature has become an afterthought, barely existent in one’s dreams, is this something not as a dystopia but something that can actually happen in our future?
As “Pumzi” translates to breath in Swahili (IMDB), what do you think this film is really about?
Cade and Ridge
After viewing the short film Pumzi, I can see distant relations between the movie and the book Parable of the Sower. The first thing that stands out to me is the relation of having to leave what they knew. In Parable of sower, Lauren is faced with her neighborhood being raided and many people being killed. After she is forced to leave everything behind in search of a new home and to find a new place to be safe. And when looking at the film Pumzi, the woman is faced with either being oppressed in the colony for disobeying the orders given to her or to go out in search of a new place for the seed to grow. They are both in search of something new and better than what they had before.
Another point of contact I had found between the film and book is their need to make the world a better place for others. When we look at the film, we can obviously see that she left the comfort and safety of her home to risk her life out in the desert so that she can plant this tree sproutling for the hopeful revival of the planet and all its plant life. And when we look at the Parable of the sower, we read that Lauren wants to gather people and form communities to look out for each other. She would want people to protect each other and look out for one another as well as teach the illiterate and grow food and plants together with the other hypothetical community members. Overall, they just want to do better for the planet.
After finding some points of contact and common themes, I pose some questions. Should both of them have left where they were originally? Laruen in her neighborhood and the woman in the colony. Could they have made a difference by staying where they were? Laruen could have brought up the Earthseed movement from where she was and the women could have stayed in the colony and shown people the seed and its promise of growing/ Another question that comes to thought is that are these communities really sustainable? We can see in Pumzi that they are creating waste on the surface and they even restrain the minds of the people living there.
Cadie, Chase, Steve
Film and Book:
Heavily distrusting of the government or authority figure at hand.
Skewed view of the outside (wall or outside the scifi ship)
Environmental problems and lack of water
Questions:
In today’s time, what social constructs or barriers are in place?
What did you interpret from Asha’s vision?
Can you connect this film to any other medium other than the Parable of the Sower?
Hayden Hill, Kaitlyn Szymanski, Haven Kindle, Logan Banaszak, Phillip Davis, Rachel Foster
Some of the similarities between the film Pumzi, and our reading so far of Parable of the Sower are as follows…
– Water throughout both works is both scarce and rationed thoughtfully by the characters. There is also an element of wonder and love for water and nature by both of the protagonists that seems to be disregarded to an extent by the other characters.
– Most all of the characters are suspicious and cautious of others throughout the book and the film. Both of the protagonists seem to be more hopeful towards life and society as they continue throughout their journeys compared to the other characters.
– The government appears throughout both the book and the film as the overarching body that is supposed to keep the peace by keeping the people in line. This creates the illusion of safety and that by following what is being told it will keep the people safe.
– The government also influences the perception of the “inside” and the “outside” people and how there is this similar fear of those on the outside or the outside spaces. Similarly to our discussions in class, there is this obvious avoidance of problems relating to the “outside world” – everyone appears more comfortable within their little bubble of life.
– There are mentions of seeds, both mother seed (film) and earth seed (book) relating to growth and this sort of higher, bigger being.
– Dreaming (film) and having this sort of outside knowledge is a common theme in both the book and the film that is portrayed as something worrisome that shouldn’t really be discussed or mentioned. We can see this throughout the dreams and the dream pills as well as the go-packs and knowledge gathered through reading.
– Both are set in a sort of post apocalyptic kind of environment. Parable of the Sower takes a point of view of a poor, struggling post apocalyptic area vs Pumzi being a more “put together’ more well off community in a post apocalyptic area.
– Similarities in the use of walls and structure that are meant to act as safety devices but they seem to act more as security.
– There is a heightened sense of individuality between humans that intensifies in the midst of economic, political, and environmental catastrophes.
– Greater society adheres to a techno-optimist approach as a way to organize and ‘progress’, meanwhile the protagonists have faith in simple actions that create a wide-scale impact (planting seeds, sharing).
Our Questions
1. Are the dream suppressants in the film and the common understanding in the book about staying within your own boundaries representing fear of the outside/unknown? Is there a deeper element of the fear of higher power?
2. In both the film and the book, only the protagonists want to push for change and find a better future. They struggle to convince others or have support from others to do the same. In our own current society, how do we convince others that we need to make changes to ensure that our society doesn’t end up like the ones in the book and film?
3. Is it coincidental that in both the book and the short film individuals are portrayed as competing with each other, and viewing each other as enemies? In the midst of catastrophe, is this mindset just a natural human response? Do you believe that genuine change stems from collaborative efforts?
Peter Bimmel, Charlie Manta, Chesney Crouch, Rustyn Orbison, Bo Maiellaro, Dalton Creson, Hannah Barnes
Peter:
-There are obvious parallels between the story and film; a post-apocalyptic type of environment and governance, a fortified community, an authority of violence, scarce resources, and a protagonist that seeks new life outside the callus parameters.
-“Now is a time for building foundations—Earthseed communities—focused on the Destiny. After all, my heaven really exists, and you don’t have to die to reach it. ‘The Destiny of Earthseed is to take root among the stars,’ or among the ashes.” I nodded toward the burned area” (chapter 18).
-This line can be interpreted as both a parallel and contrast to the film PUMZI, where the last plant takes root (17:44).
-In “Parable of the Sower”, the Destiny of Earthseed is more or less, leave the Earth or parish. Whereas in PUMZI, the protagonist attempts to revive the Earth. In general, which course of action is the “right” one? Which is a sustainable path and for whom?
Chesney :
-The idea of being trapped, or contained within a compound can be seen in both Parable of the Sower and PUMZI. There are also obvious ideas associated with “inside” and “outside” in both works, such as the inside being safe and the outside being dangerous. Butler writes, “She’s only been gone for a week, but a week outside must be like a week in hell” (Chapter 8). This shows the perceptions that are presented of the outside and how it is terrible, similar to how the outside is presented in PUMZI- the main character is told she can not go outside because it’s dead, and must actually escape in order to get out.
Charlie:
-To build off of Chesney’s idea, it is clear that living a life on the inside may be miserable and quality of life may be bad. However, they believe the outside is much worse or reach a certain comfort on the inside where they can at least adapt to the conditions they are living in.
-Another part from the film that really stood out to me was when she went outside and used every bit of water and sweat she had left just so the tree could grow. This indicates two things about the current state of the world today: one is that people need to be more selfless for us to be able to have an improved planet as we move forward; and the other is that just because we may not have to deal with the future of global warming and climate change does not mean we shouldn’t do everything we can to improve the state of the planet for future generations.
Rustyn:
-Both the film and Parable of Sower emphasize the distrust of authority and the corruption within. And the idea of homes being ravaged, but still being home.
Question:
-Seeds are a big part of Parable of Sower and Pumzi. Do you think seeds are enough? If the people in today’s world can do little actions (metaphorical seeds) would they grow big enough/soon enough to make significant change? Or is only large collective action now of any use?
-There is a heavy sense of outside/versus inside and that one is safer amongst both Parable of Sower and Pumzi, is that relevant to today and the fact that water is sometimes unsafe to swim in and that natural disasters are ravaging natural landscapes?
-Water is a huge point in both pieces of media and water is becoming a commodity in today’s society with clean water slimming down. Water has become something that many people fight for. Do you think both pieces of media chose water as a message to people today? Rather than something like oil because water affects more common people rather than the wealthier people?
Lily Ervin, Hannah Mitchell, Anna Freedman-Scott, Maya Fontana, Jade Patterson
After watching the short film Pumzi and reading Parable of the Sower by Butler it is obvious that there are frequent themes that develop throughout the both of these important pieces. Overall the overarching themes have to do with nature, creation and how the journey is never ending. Both of these works involve female protagonists who stray away from the ‘norm’ in search of their truths. Water is a very impactful role in both the film and novel. In parable of the sower water can be seen as representing wealth and affluence. This is due to the communities lacking accessible water, which is something that we can relate to our world today. This brings us into our first question, the book is dated as 2024 which is only 2-3 years away from us now. What other similarities can we find through the novel that compare to our society today? How can we use the novel’s ideas and conclusions to create solutions for our society in the future specifically? Both the novel and the film also compare with each other on the theme of post-apocalyptic and dystopian societies in the future. The future outlook on the world is an important piece to both the novel and book, as the protagonists of both are working towards future challenges of their world. The female protagonists are seeking to expand their knowledge of theories by looking beyond what they are taught and beyond what they comprehend. They feel they must adapt to their environment so they can seek solutions for the future. By doing this they will be able to adapt to their challenges and bring about the ‘truth’. But, since both narratives are from determined and privileged females trying to aid the citizens of the future, do you believe the narrative leans into a defeatist/victim mindset or a leader/strategist position? How would each protagonist approach their struggles had they not had a background of privilege and comfort?
Audrey, Sara, Rosie, Cole, and Morgan
Connections between the film and the book:
– separation from the outside world
– presence of drug like substances
– connection between main characters of hyper empathetic feelings
– people in power do not want things to change
– idea of the seed, movie: physically book: theoretically
– a sense of community even if they do not necessarily like eachother
– fighting over lack of water
1. Why does like the people of power in both of these communities see helping people of lesser status of them to be a threat?
2. In what ways do the main characters in both the film and book represent nature resiliency through the defiance of the social norms that exist in both of their societies?
3. In what ways are these different types of media effective in engaging the audience in the understanding of how current environmental issues may result in a sort of society that is represented in these
4. What does the ending of the film say about what we need to learn in order to prevent this from happening in our society? Is this a comment our need for sacrafice?
This is wonderful