Octavia Butler’s novel Dawn and her fiction writing style in general have presented many topics and discussions that can be viewed as disturbing, troubling, or unsettling. Two main themes that I view as disconcerting are consent, and the lack of humanity. For this discussion I am going to relate all of my opinions as to elements in the trilogy, Dawn. Dawn as whole contains multiple examples of upsetting features that can disturb readers based on their own views. These two themes in particular are impactful, and reoccurring in the novel as their are brought up in multiple instances.
Consent. Various examples are presented in the novel regarding the topic. These examples also include issues involving positions of power. Consent is an ethical issue that needs be developed and understood from the base level. When you or others have problems regarding consent it can involve or affect relationships, respect and even decision making. There are also many subdivisions of consent that need to be understood and are all contained in the novel. I will be discussing three different subdivisions in this essay.
My first subdivision, which is what I will be calling them, is manipulation. Manipulation is the ability to negatively influence an individual for one’s benefit, which can involve psychological or physical advances. In Dawn the Oankali and Ooli use multiple types of manipulation against the humans. I understand their version and view of consent is possibly different than what humans view as consent but I believe proper communication is necessary in understanding the differences. Psychological manipulation is popular among the Oankali and others. This is confirmed at the very beginning of the novel as Lilith is constantly isolated, for multiple and long periods of time. Lilith describes how she feels when it is stated, “It could not matter while she was confined this way, kept helpless, alone and ignorant.”(Butler 3) She is secluded without anybody near her to communicate with, she is undeniably vulnerable. The Oankali are responsible for this, also causing harm to her psychological state. Another form of manipulation that is used is sexual manipulation. Throughout the novel, the Oankali and Ooli have the ability to control and affect the humans desires, changing them to how they want them. The last form of manipulation I will cover is deception. An example of this could be when the Oankali do not express their true intention or plans to the humans that they are acquainted with. The humans are kept in the dark about the Oankali’s interests and involvement. I personally believe that these forms of manipulation are disturbing and can be negatively perceived by individuals who have directly or indirectly experienced similar instances.
The second subdivision, power. A general hierarchy over lower presenting individuals by someone of a higher status. Power will also be divided into three different topics for the purpose of this discussion. Dependence is the first type of power. The Oankali have power over the human because the humans are dependent on them. The humans rely on the Oankali for their well-being, as they control most of their resources. Refusing their assistance could mean death. The next form of power is the imbalance of power that is constantly presented. Referring back to resources, the Oankali have complete control over the humans living situations, environment, food, and health, to an extent. Another imbalance of power is the Oankali removing the human’s ability to reproduce, whilst still being able to reproduce themselves. The last form of power I will discuss is framing and boundaries. The Oankali have the ability to set these boundaries as the humans cannot, and only present the humans with specific framework.
The third and final subdivision of consent, relationships. Relationships is a large factor when considering the humans and Oankali. Relationships is very important regarding consent. Lilith and Nikanj is an example of a relationship in the novel. What is disturbing about this relationship is the lack of proper communication between the two. Lilith became emotionally attached to Nikanj which could be due to her lack of control in the environment she is in. Without the proper communication, Nikanj also genetically modifies Lilith’s body. Another relationship in the novel is Lilith and the other humans. Many of the other human view Lilith as a “traitor”. Lilith is also know to hold a higher position that the other human, kind of being able to look over them. These kinds of negative relationships could be viewed as unhealthy or in other words unnerving. Communication and consent is important when developing new relationships with other humans or creatures when referring to Nikanj.
All of these “subdivisions” that were mentioned combine to create the significant disturbing theme of consent that is discussed in Octavia Butler’s literary works.
Lack of human kind. This theme is going to be more brief as I believe the other theme hold more impact, and people probably think of that one more often when reading Octavia Butler literature. Lack of human kind can be disturbing for many reasons. The loss of culture and society is one. With the loss of the culture of humans there will also be a decrease in connection between the humans. The humans have nothing they can relate to each other about regarding their backgrounds or cultures. Another issue is human reproduction. The humans were already stripped of their ability to reproduce, there are less human being to do so anyway. Human knowledge would also be lost.
These themes have impacted each of the characters in Dawn either positively or negatively depending on the on the context. I might have been too brief or unclear with some of my statements but what is clear is that there are most definitely disturbing topics presented in Octavia Butler’s literature.