In Octavia Butler’s novel Dawn, we are given a lens into a future where humanity has been brought to the brink of extinction, only to be saved by an alien species known as the Oankali. The Oankali tell the main character, Lilith, that they know everything about humanity. Although the Oankali can understand and manipulate human genes, their claims of knowing everything about humanity are deeply flawed. To put it simply, the Oankali do not understand the concept of consent. Although consent, down to its basic terms, is giving permission, humans have the unique capability of being able to reject urges that lead to action. The best way I can describe this is using traffic laws: if traffic is slow and I really want to speed, I have a choice. Although I have this urge to speed, I often do not act upon it because I would prefer not to get a speeding ticket. The Oankali seem to only focus on that specific urge and will enact upon it, no matter the response or consequence, as the feelings justify action. The Oankali will see that urge and use it to justify their actions.
Nikanj is a key character who uses a human’s internal urges to justify its actions. Nikanj pushes the boundaries of consent to its absolute limits, seducing Lilith’s partner, Joseph, into a dynamic that blurs the line between choice and coercion. “‘And you have a choice.’ He understood now. ‘No!’ … ‘I’d rather have the real thing!’… Nikanj supplied softly. ‘And yet I pleased you… Your body knows how real it was. Your interpretations were illusion. The sensations were entirely real’ “ (Butler 171-172). The Oankali do not engage in sex like humans; rather, they have tentacles that are able to create similar sensations, an urge of pleasure. It is incredibly important to note that the Oankali are able to do this with a simple touch on the shoulder. Nikanj implies that Joseph has a choice, and it is quite clear that Joseph does not want this experience and would rather do the “real thing”. Joseph views this as Nikanj violating his boundaries. Nikanj is able to read Joseph’s body, and recognizes that it was bringing him pleasure. “ ‘You said I could choose… ‘You see. Your body has made a different choice.’ He struggled violently for several seconds, then stopped. ‘Why are you doing this?’ he demanded. … ‘Be grateful, Joe. I’m not going to let go of you.’ Lilith saw Joseph’s body stiffen, struggle, then relax, and she knew Nikanj had read him correctly. He neither struggled nor argued as Nikanj positioned him’ “ (Butler 173-174). Nikanj sees that Joe is experiencing this urge of pleasure, and although his body’s physical response is to outright reject this feeling, Nikanj uses his internal reactions to justify herself. At this moment, it is very easy to argue that Nikanj violated consent. Butler is really testing my ability to share empathy in this scene but I believe it is important to understand one’s actions, and reactions. On one hand we have Joseph who, against his will, is forced to experience something he explicitly does not want, but is overridden by Nikanj’s ability to interpret his physical response. On the other hand we have Nikanj, who does not perceive their acts as harmful, as she is offering Joe something beneficial and pleasurable, and through time, Joseph no longer begins to resist. I feel there is enough evidence to understand why Nikanj violated Joe’s consent, but is there enough knowledge to justify it? Absolutely not.
This misunderstanding of consent becomes a recurring theme in Dawn. Toward the end of the novel, Lilith is informed by Nikanj that she is not returning to Earth with the rest of the humans. Instead, Lilith will remain with the Oankali. Although Lilith has done everything the Oankali asked, they still believe that she is unsafe, at risk around other humans. On top of all this Nikanj deems Lilith ‘ready’. “Is it an unclean thing that we want, Lilith?” “Yes!” “Is it an unclean thing that I have made you pregnant?”…“You… what?” “I have made you pregnant with Joseph’s child. I wouldn’t have done it so soon, but I wanted to use his seed, … There’s a limit to how long I can keep sperm alive.’…It was speaking as casually as though discussing the weather. …You said-““I said not until you were ready.” “I’m not ready! I’ll never be ready!” “You’re ready now to have Joseph’s child. Joseph’s daughter… The child will be yours and Joseph’s, Ajahas’ and Dichaan’s… I’ve mixed it, shaped it (Butler 224-225) ” In an attempt to calm Lilith, Nikanj deems Lilith ready, and places a daughter inside of her. Nikanj justifies this as a benefit by insisting this baby will give her a sense of belonging and give her a stronger connection to the Oankali. On top of that, the daughter isn’t just Lilith and Joseph’s baby, it is a combination of both human and Oankali. There are so many things about this that disturbs me. To start Lilith did everything the Oankali asked, and she was not allowed to return to Earth. Then Nikanj informs her that a baby has been placed inside with Joe’s seed and has been modified to have traits of the Oankali. This violates consent because Lilith never asked to have this child placed inside of her OR asked to have the child modified. On top of all that this baby is not human, as it is a combination of human and Oankali which deeply disturbs Lilith. Butler tests my empathy again. In defense of Nikanj, she did not let Lilith go back to Earth because there was a risk of her being harmed by those who viewed her as a traitor. The Oankali sacrifices her autonomy for her own protection. Furthermore, the Oankali truly believe that by giving Lilith this baby, it will help her adjust and feel more connected to this new life. By giving these baby modifications, the baby will have a unique blend of human and Oankali traits, making it better suited for survival in the new world. Why wouldn’t you want your child to have the best chance of survival? The Oankali see these as benefits and there is no wrong to what they are doing. Does that make what they do right? No. Does it let us get a glimpse into why the Oankali do the things they do? Yes.
I think it is fair to say that the Oankali see consent much differently than humans. Depending on the perspective we are looking from, consent may be viewed as being violated, and to others it may not. Being able to look at different perspectives allows us to gain a better understanding of both Lilith, and the Oankali.