Telemachus

My Impression of Telemachus is a boy, who would do anything to prove to his father and mother that he is anything of a boy. But also by trying to prove that he is mature and now a man, in a sense he is actually proving himself wrong. That kind of act, is nothing more than that, just an act. He also proves himself to still be a boy by stealing one of his father's best warships, he also tries to take command of his household. By trying to prove he's a man by commanding his mother to go up stairs, and then leave without her knowing about it is immature, because if he were the real man of the house he wouldn't be scared of what his mother or father would do to him. So it's a type of irony of Telemachus' behavior.

Telemachus is really just a teenager. There is not anything special about him. He's just a kid who wants to be a man and go rescue his father. He is very immature and selfish, caring about no one but himself. When he decided to go search for his father, he left his poor mother behind to deal with many suitors on her own. All the suitors did was eat and drink and try to woo her, and they often became violent. When Telemachus left, he dealt with the suitors in a very half- assed way and they soon returned. but instead of trying again, he just gave up and went to look for his father. this was very immature of him.

Telemachus is still a boy and still maturing. I see this in his lack of control in Ithaca from the suitors and allowing them to take advantage of his fathers absence. It takes a push from Athena for him to decide to step up and either find his father or take his place. One of his most mature moments to me, is when he stands up to the suitors. I also think that his choice to sail away from Ithaca shows him maturing because he is leaving his childhood home and taking the situation ( The suitors and his father not returning) into his own hands.

Telemachus has huge shoes to fill and I don't think he is ready to do so yet. However, I think that he is maturing and will someday be as great and heroic as his father. I think that absence of Odysseus is giving Telemachus an opportunity to grow and prove himself. In a way, I think that Odysseus' captivity is at the perfect time for Telemachus to mature and not be so over shadowed.

Telemachus!

Telemachus, instead of attempting to evict his mother's suitors from his house, merely complains about their presence to the town. When he gets no results from this, he asks Zeus for help, and eventually is persuaded by Athena to look for his father. All of these things show us Telemachus is immature at the beginning of his journey; instead of directly dealing with his issues, he "tattles" on the suitors to the Ithacans, to Zeus, and to his father if he can find him. Telemachus shows that he is maturing slightly before his journey's beginning when he makes sure that his mother doesn't know he is gone until long after he is. This shows responsibility.

Who is Telemachus?

Telemachus is the classic suppressed teen in the beginning of the Odyssey. He wants to prove that he is a man and that he can be like his father, Odysseus, who is one of the bravest and wisest men in Greece. Since Odysseus is away and presumed dead by most suitors flock to his home in Ithica seeking control of his land, wealth, and power. Telemachus is the rightful heir and he wants what is his, however he is not old enough to take the power so he cannot become the King. He is somewhat selfish and a little immature at this point in the book and he shows it by his actions regarding finding his father. He wants to try and find Odysseus so that he can protect his right of succession which is a slightly inward view, but also understandable because he doesn't want his family's lands to go to someone else. His decision to leave and search for word of his father is a somewhat mature decision because he is taking the problem into his own hands and trying to find a solution.

Telemachus

In the Odyssey's first book, Telemachus is portrayed as a boy. Up until Athena comes and tells him that his father is still alive, he doesn't take much control of his family and household. But once he learns this information he takes some responsibility for things. He tells the people who work in his home what to do, he tells his mother what she needs to do, and he goes on a voyage, alone, to find his father and bring him back, yet he still isn't quite a man. In the second and third books he grows up more. He starts to turn into his manhood more.

When Telemachus tells the servants to not let his mother know that he is gone until five days after he leaves. This shows that he is still a boy and is still afraid of his mother. Also, the fact that he decides to drop everything in Ithica to try and find his father, could also be taken as a sign of immaturity.

Telemachus

As we first start the Odyssey, we are introduced to Telemachus as a young boy who doesn't want to take full responsibility of his mother, his home and the kingdom that his father left behind.

Telemachus father, Odysseus, was lost at sea for some time, leaving his wife and kingdom in disarray while sutors were coming to Odysseus's great home to court his wife. Telemachus desperatly wants to get rid of these suitors, but he does not have the courage to banish them from the land. Telemachus wants his father to return home or be pronounced dead so that his kingdom can be given a new ruler. Telemachus does not want to take charge of the household.

When Palas Athena comes to Telemachus's home and lays out a quest to find Odysseus, Telemachus is happy someone else is taking charge of his life. Athena sends him to retrieve his father or find out if he has died. Telemachus becomes more mature, because he chooses to face the unknown and find his father. At the same time, Telemachus is leaving his resposibilities to find his father so that he can take care of his household, which makes him more like a young boy.

Telemachus

When we first meet Telemachus his mother is being courted by suitors looking for the crown of Ithaca. He seems to have enough senses about him to not like this. Unfortunately his fix to this situation is to go to the tows folk and say "I am not strong enough to get them out of my house help me if I were my dad they would be dead" then he tells the suitors "leave now because if my dad shows up, he will kill you and if he doesn't then Zeus will punish you". as expected the suitors laugh and taunt him for this and the towns people don't help. This shows a very childish side of Telemachus. As plan b Telemachus decides to and set sail to find his father to kick the suitors out. This plan shows both a childish and a very manly side of him in that he still needs his father to solve his problem but he is enough of a man to formulate the idea (with Athena's help of course) but he still gets the credit for coming up with it and then executing it.To sum this rant up when Telemachus is at the Spartans temple he gets complemented for talking well beyond his years.

All of these thins show Telemachus changing from a boy into a man throughout the story. I expect we will see more evidence of this as we continue onward.

What is your impression of Telemachus after the first three books of The Odyssey? What does he do in particular that gives you a clear idea of the kin

Telemachus is a well mannered, obedient son. he has been doing what his father told him to since his dad left. he is loving to his mom and misses his father very much. he want s to get out of ithica and experience a greek teenage life. when athena comes and gives him the knowledge that his father is alive. he uses this to create an opportunity to explore the outside world. he is also a selfish boy, he wants to go find his father so the suitors will leave, he can prove himself, and so that he secures his spot as the king of ithica.

Impression of Telemachus

In these first four books of the Odyssey, Telemachus seems to be a determined adolescent who is being thrown into manhood. He is intelligent and an eloquent speaker, but is still learning how to take control of his own future and authority. Telemachus has a lot of dependence on the Gods. He hasn’t managed to bring forth the confidence and power needed to deal directly with whatever issues he is facing. Without encouragement from Athena, he most likely would not have thought to go in search of his missing father, much less demand that the suitors leave. Telemachus is a boy who is entering manhood with support from the Olympians.

What is your impression of Telemachus after the first three books of The Odyssey? What does he do in particular that give you a clear idea of the kind of boy he is?

When the Odyssey starts Telemachas is a boy who has grown up without knowing his father because his father the king has been off fighting the Trojan War. Telemachas quickly becomes the kind of boy who can take charge and do what needs to be done. The first time he starts to act more mature is when he tells his weepy mother, Penelope to go to her room if she doesn’t like the music. Then he wisely recognizes that he is getting help from a god or goddess in the form of his father’s old friend. Also, he is the one who welcomes the visitor to his home which shows that he is actually in charge of the household. Then he takes charge of the bad situation with the suitors who are taking advantage of his family’s hospitality and trying to marry his mother in order to take over his father’s kingdom. He calls an assembly and throws them out. Most importantly, on the advice of Athena Telemachas dedicates himself to go out and try to find out what happened to his father.

Who is man or boy?

I basically thinkthat he is a boy trying to grow up. i think he is trying to figure out who he is and who he is going to be, But hes struggling. even sense infancy he never had a father to look up to. that is why he is so protective over his mother. she raised him alone and protected him from reality.
so in conclusion i think that he is just confused from the transition between childhood and manhood.
-Taylor Vander Wolk

Blog Question

Telemachus is a boy who has started maturing, but is not quite an adult. He is devoted to finding his father, and helping his mother. He is too immature and weak to know how to help keep his mother's land from the suitors. He is smart, but he can get angry sometimes. His travelling with Athena taught him to be responsible. Athena taught him to be more sure about himself, and this helps him keep the suitors away from his mother and her land. He is strong, but his skills and talents cannot match his father's abilities. Telemachus is just a boy who is trying to keep his family safe and together.

Telemachus is one who is still maturing. He is smart and sometimes has a temper. He was very young when his father left for Troy when the Odyssey begins. He is dedicated to his mother and is determined to find his father. One of the obstacles he has to face is protecting his family from the suitors. This shows he is loyal to his family constantly driven. Although Telemachus has these characteristics, he still cannot match his father’s talent and skills. He is getting there though. Meeting and being with Athena taught him responsibility, how to take control and helps him confront the suitors. Fortunately for him, he had the chance to learn these things before confronting the challenges.

What is your impression of Telemachus after the first three books of The Odyssey? What does he do in particular that gives you a clear idea of the kin

Telemachus is a boy who is beginning to gain the knowledge needed to become a man. He is completely devoted to his mother and his father's land, but he is too immature and weak to know exactly how to protect his mother and the land from the suitors. He knows this, and therefor is unsure of his abilities.Throughout the book he becomes more mature and sure of himself, so it helps him gain the courage to protect his family. Telemachus is a boy who is tying to figure out how to make his father proud and be loyal to his family, he is just unsure of himself at this time.

Who is Telemachus?

What is your impression of Telemachus after the first three books of The Odyssey? What does he do in particular that gives you a clear idea of the kind of boy he is?

DUE: November 5th, 9:00 am

Myths are usually a completely patrilineal society, and women are depicted as jealous, obsessive, and curious. For example, Hera is extremely possessive over Zeus, and destroys all other women she knows he had affairs with. In the "Golden Age," there were no women, only men, creating the idea that men are better than women, and women ruined society rather than contributed to it. Myths usually make women seem less valuable than men, and they usually punish and cause death to many people.

Taylor's Creation Myth Post Q.1

The Greek, Egyptian, and Sumerian Civilizations all focused there myths around water. I think they did this because it was the most stable thing in there like. This is where they base everything off. The physical geography is based on water. With out water the civilizations would die. So I think that the creation of these tribes make sense to be focused on the on aspects that kept them alive.

Taylor's POTS post

In the novel, Parable of the Sower what they talk about isnt only a posibility but a probability. I couldnt imagine it going to such an extent where I live, but in places where they're already having a hard time it is definitely probable.

In the book there was a disaster because of a drug. In the real world it will be because of the markert crashing. People will be so desparate for: money,food,shelter and safty they will do almost anything to get it.What I dont think is goig to happen is cops not caring about the job and taking bribes. I think people who have there jobs left will do them to the best of there abilty because they don't want to lose them.

In conclution, Parable of the Sower is a book about the future. I think in the real world we need to do something befor this happens. We're educated and know its comeing, unlike in POS it just hit them.

Women

Women in the Greek myths are often portrayed as dumb, jealous, selfish and beautiful.


The Greek myths were written by men who loved women, which shows us the reason why most of the ladies in the myths are very beautiful.


Many women are the cause of their husbands misfortune or even humanities misfortune. For example: Pandora opens the box that holds all of the bad things about humanity.


Women are known for being jealous of one another and trying to murder the person that they are jealous of.


Women are not very popular in the Greek myths, unless it is to charm a man or turn them into some evil creature. The main role that women have is to bear children and be beautiful.


This last role of women in myths was common for women's daily lives in ancient Greece.


Women only cooked,cleaned and made themselves beautiful.It is remarkable that only a few women in the Greek myths are courageous, strong or hold a big part in the stories.

Question 1

Water was very important to the people at the time the myths were written because life is based around it. All life needs water, and although it is necessary, it if also very powerful and can cause disasters like floods, hurricanes, tsunamis, and other kinds of bad things. These types of disasters can ruin houses, and even cities. The people put water in the myths because it was something they worshipped, and they cared about it and nature a lot.

P.O.T.S question

In our world now, we have people who are becoming corrupt and also killing and stealing for their own needs. Like police becoming corrupt(as rare as it is), it still happens. With more corruption our police system is becoming more like in P.O.T.S. And with the increase of crime and less obligation to get those people, its become much harder for us to live. But also if we look around in our neighborhoods, towns, country, even the world you'll see that more and more people are becoming part of a walled in community believing that its "safer" then the outside world.

Late.

Women in greek myths are depicted as jealous, troublesome, problematic beings, but they are also depicted as beautiful and useful. Either way, women are not the most regarded thing in greek mythology, men on the other hand are the 'higher' being. Men are more important than women, they have more freedom and rights, they are godlier. If a women does something wrong, they are harder punished for it than if a man did the same thing, all because of gender. One of the reasons women are depicted in such a way, is because the people writing the myths were men and the era was a very man based society. Women were basically considered the mens toys.

ow do these societies depict their gods? How do their depictions differ from modern western society's? What has changed in between then and now to inf

How do these societies depict their gods? How do their depictions differ from modern western society's? What has changed in between then and now to influence this change?

In the greek times, they revered their gods because they believed that what happened to them every day was all because of the gods. They looked at these gods as people, and also they looked at the gods as part of the environment, such as Zeus controlling the sky and weather, Poseidon controlling the water and water weather, etc. By seeing them in such a way they believed in gods, and were willing to do anything for them even sacrificing their own sons to fight monsters that might kill them.

But they didn't realize that everything that was happening to them was because of themselves, not entities that they never even saw. They did start to increase more into science, but for a couple hundred years after that they still believed that gods ruled them.

But now in our times we "know" that gods are not real and that they don't help us on a day to day basis. And that most things that are happening to us is because of us and not because of entities that some greek people believed in several hundred years ago.

The thing that changed most over the years was the advancement in science. With more advancements in science people started wondering if gods really were the cause of everything, and they started believing less in gods and with more in science. With science it proved everything even the things that they thought was from gods. Like thunderstorms,typhoons, tornados,etc. With the advancements in science over the course of four-hundred years or so, people have stopped believing in several gods, and started believing in one god (from the Bible).

Noahs post

1. Why is water so prevalent in these creation myths? What does it say about the societies that created them? What natural elements may have influenced this?


Water is very prevalent in creation myths because it is was, and still is a very important resource in the real world. Any great civilization or city is always built near a source of water, and still today that is the case. Humans need water to survive, and every creation story is based on creating a suitable environment for all humans and animals, so that they may thrive. Obviously water plays a very important role in that environment, so that is why it is often included and mentioned. A creation story without the mention of water would be strange, but there are a few.
Water is important to humans, so it must be included in the stories of humankind's creation.

Many civilizations in early times were based around a body of water. This shows that water was very important. Water is a necessity for life so you can see why it was something that people loved and also feared. natural disasters like floods, hurricanes, tsunamis, and other stuff. disasters like that can ruin societies. poseidon the god is a warrior and the god of the sea, he is feared and worshipped. the fact that many creation myths revolve around water shows that these societies were cultures of life and care for nature.

Why are women depicted the way they are? Again, what does this say about the scoiety that created them.

In these myths, women were depicted the way they are because men were thought to be stronger and superior, perhaps. In the Greek Myths women were steriotyped as curious, therefore Pandora's Box, which might have meant that they were thought to be weak. Again, with the Greeks, women weren't created until after man. Even when they were created Zeus created a single woman to, more or less, annoy Prometheus. So, obviously, women weren't high on there list to be created, therefore not being depicted as special or something good.

Answer to Q 2

Women are depicted the way they are in the myths because the myths were primarily written by men. In the time these myths were written, men acted in ways that would be considered very sexist today. They considered women inferior to themselves, and so they represented them negatively in mythology. The most obvious conclusion that can be drawn about the society that wrote such myths is that they were patriarchal, and viewed women as inferior (maybe even scheming and "bad").

Also, sorry this is late. My internet access over the weekend was limited.

2. Why are women depicted the way they are in these myths? Again, what does this say about the society that created these myths?

Women in the Greek and Egyptian myth are depicted very differently. In the Greek myth the women were created as a way to punish men and are portrayed as evil and scheming. Strangely there were women gods at the beginning of the Greek creation myth. Women are even in the time of the titans there Chronos had a wife. So women show up throughout the mythology but are usually considered by the men to be evil and scheming. The Egyptian mythology doesn't mention women as much or in as evil a way as Greek mythology does. From out side reading the women were thought a close to equal to men and that they weren't put on earth to punish men as in thew Greek myth. Either way each culture has its own view of women depending on how patriarchal or matriarchal a culture is.

PS I know its not the best post and i know this post is way late

Maddy's Post

Water was prevalent in the creation myths because all three were surrounded by bodies of water, making water a huge part of their lives. Water was probably close to worshiped in the myths because the humans wouldn't have been able to survive without it. Water also could have been a source of danger.

Lea's Post

Woman didn't have many rights in the time myth were created. If something bad happend it always was o womens fault. Hera is Zeus jealous and bad wife but it's him who goes out with other woman. In the myth women are always kind of evil.I think men, who wrote or told the myth, wanted to show that even in the God's world males are dominant.
lea

Why are women depicted the way they are in these myths? Again, what does this say about the society that created these myths?

Women aren't as important as men are in the myths. The man and woman don't have equal rights and some of the reason for that might be that the man was created first, therefor is better, per say. If a man and a women did something equally wrong the women would get a greater punishment because of her gender. This says that the society that created these myths probably had a similar society to the myths they created.

Agua :)

The three creation myths of the Greeks, Sumerian and Egyptians share an emphasis on water. I believe that the importance of water asserted within the myths as a reflection of each societies view of water. To these cultures it is apparent that their relationship with water was not consistently good and they represent this within their creation stories. For example, the Sumerian creation myth begins the earth as a huge mass of water. This shows that their society sees water as a source of life. However, water is also detrimental to mankind. This is clear to the reader because it is involved in tragedy like Enil's wish for mankind's perish by way of flood as well as Gilgamesh's loss of his youth rejuvenating plant while he was bathing in water. This same contradiction is seen in Egyptian creation mythology. The world started off as a mass of water, again representing life, but Ra wanted to destroy mankind and his world with a great flood which shows the continuation of water's birth and death theme. In addition to this, the Duat river was the path of death for wicked man and the path to Nu's abode, the primeval ocean, showing how water reaps both rewards and tragedy. In Greek creation mythology, water is not as important of an aspect than the previous two but, it is certainly present. While this myth was being created, it was a time in which people believed that the world was flat and dick-like. The Greek myth says it was divided by a sea and was additionally surrounded by a river. Olimpia is also nestled upon water in its gaseous form and this shows its closeness to the gods and its immense importance. However, there is also an issue of the scarcity of water that is brought fourth to Zues from his first race. The Paradoxical nature of water has congruence throughout all three stories and shows the three cultures relationship to it.

Question 1

I believe that water was a prevalent force in these myths mainly out of its importance in ancient times. Most, if not all civilizations were centered around a body of water, and the scarcity and importance of water was a major factor in their lives. Water, being necessary for the survival of a species, had almost a mythical significance to the people of ancient times. Water was always important, and despite its life-giving properties, was also often a source of major destruction and havoc. Water was almost a god in itself to many cultures, as it could easily smite them, or just as simply bless them with bounty. Water appears in these myths because it is a major theological force to the cultures who write them. water, to ancient cultures is a god within itself, and it is from this idea of water as a god where many of the gods and monsters of the sea appear.

Why is water so prevalent in these creation myths? What does it say about the societies that created them? What natural elements may have influenced this?

The Greek, Egyptian, and Sumerian Civilizations all based their creation myths around water because it was such an important aspect of their lives. They built their civilization geographically around water. To them it is one of the most important things for life. It makes sense that it should play as major a role in their creation myths as it does in their day to day lives. If water is such an important aspect for life then it is an important aspect for the creation of life too.

Answer to Question Three

3. How do these societies depict their gods? How do their depictions differ from modern western societies? What has changed in between then and now to influence this change?

None of these societies had the modern-day technology and resources we have today. They didn’t want to just accept what they saw in the world, so they created reasons behind why certain things in nature are the way they are in the form of myths. Their Gods also had many imperfections, just like humans. This was a way of being able to say that faults are natural, and no one is flawless; if the Gods make mistakes, then it must be okay for humans too also. The most obvious difference between ancient Egyptian Gods and modern day society’s (mainly in terms of Christianity) are in their appearance; Egyptian Gods were portrayed as being half animal and half human. The connection between animals and humans has disappeared in a lot of religions because of the way our culture has changed. We are not as connected to the outdoors as we used to be because of our jobs and houses, and most people consider themselves to be superior to all other living things. Also, the afterworld in these ancient myths was located underground, possibly in the center of the planet. That has changed to the very distinct heaven (in the clouds) and hell (under the ground). The reason for that is because of our increased scientific knowledge of the world. Everything was much more mysterious because the ancient peoples were able to create whatever explanation they desired, no matter how strange or crazy.

How do these societies depict their gods? How do their depictions differ from modern western society's? What has changed in between then and now to influence this change.

The gods were always imperfect in their society. The gods always cheated and committed crimes but were sly at the same time. Our gods today are perfect in a different way then the Greek or other gods. If we make a mistakes we will be punished by the other gods. I think our gods changed over time because we had an idea about being so perfect. If god is perfect we all have to be perfect otherwise we will be punished because we didn't fallow the rules.

Why is water so prevalent in these creation myths? What does it say about the societies that created them? What natural elements may have influenced this?

Water plays a big role in these creation myths because the ancient people wanted to try to base thier religion on the water and people and what was going to happend around thier community. The Greek, Egyptian, and Sumerian civilizations all worshiped around as many bodies of water as they could possibled get around which meant they could live and thrive. Theses Creation myths showed how the ancient people viewed water in a certian way as a sacrid source of thier life. So pretty much the water resumbles a mystical soure of life and power. Some of the Goegraphical examples or explanations would be a form of religon to a part or extent in a certian area of space on earth but with so little water it is not quite a suprise for all the civilations that have similar or differentces.

A. to Q. 2

In these myths, women are sort of depicted as inferior to men. When the women gods do something bad, it is very serious to the males. When male gods do something bad, it is taken normally, except by the women. so it seems as if the male gods have more rights than the female one's. Also an example of this is the fact that man was created before women, plus humankind is told as mankind. In chapter three, the title is 'How the World and Mankind Were Created. I believe that what has changed between then and now to influence this change is only that humankind has taken on the 'society' of the gods and used them from then until now. How the gods have acted and the way they treated each other has kind of developed in today's form of society.

The gods in the society were always imperfect. They messed up in life, they cheated and committed crimes and were sly. The difference between the Greek and other gods and our gods today is that our gods are perfect. They never make mistakes and if we do make a mistake they will punish us. I think that how we think of our gods changed over time because over time we came up with an idea that we have to be perfect. If god is perfect and if we are punished for being imperfect then it gives people a reason to say that they need to be perfect because otherwise god will punish them.

Why is water so prevalent in these creation myths? What does it say about the societies that created them? What natural elements may have influenced this?

Water plays such a major role in these creation myths because ancient people largely based religion around their everyday lives and what was around them. Greek, Egyptian, and Sumerian civilizations all rose up around bodies of water as many civilizations did and it allowed them to live and thrive. The creation myths show how they viewed water as a mystical source of life and power so naturally their religious figures would be of the water. Geographical elements have always shaped and formed religions to a certain extent and in an area of the world with such little water it is no surprise these three civilizations did the same.

Creation Myth Questions (post NEW POST by Sunday 10/10 9 pm)

Choose ONE of the below questions and answer in a complete paragraph (point, evidence, explain)

1. Why is water so prevalent in these creation myths? What does it say about the societies that created them? What natural elements may have influenced this?

2. Why are women depicted the way they are in these myths? Again, what does this say about the society that created these myths?

3. How do these societies depict their gods? How do their depictions differ from modern western society's? What has changed in between then and now to influence this change?

POTS

Parable of the Sower is a worst-case scenario of what could happen if things continued to get worse. We are already in a pretty bad situation as far as the economy goes, not to mention the ever increasing problem of global warming. Water prices are slowly increasing and in PotS they are pretty high, so that definitely is a possibility. Gas prices have most likely peaked, and are likely to lower even more as electric cars become the main form of transportation. Some see this as hopeful, a step in the right direction, but it is also possible that a dystopia similar to the one in PotS could emerge.

POTS

even though i havent finished the book yet, i can see how the parable of the sower is slowly becoming a type of future for the world. there is so much conflict like in the book. the world is getting less safe everyday. we are also tearing the planet apart, and soon there is going to be nothing left. everything is gonna cost more and the crime rate is going to go up. i could see there potentially being lots of gated communities that are very secure and that try to keep out the outside dangerous world. but hopefully it will not come to this!

P.O.T.S.

Sadly, Parable of the Sower is already becoming more than slightly realistic. There are so many parallels in our society and the "society" in the book. For example, our ecosystem is already going to pieces, money is either more or less valuable, depending on how you look at it, and the economy/government is going downhill. I think Parable of the Sower is maybe a little exaggerated, but a surprisingly accurate situation. However, I also think that humans are better at creating structure than the book implies, and I don't think the world would break into quite that many pieces if this ever actually happened.

I think that there are very many similarities in the Parable of the Sower and today's society. In the P.O.T.S the cost of food water and gas is all very high and many people cannot afford it. Many people are using drugs and dying on the streets. In today's society the cost of gas mainly is getting higher, but i think the thing that is most similar about then and today is the government and the relationship between the authorities and the people. In P.O.T.S the cops are barely ever called for help in bad situations because they would take your money and almost everything you have and in the end not really help at all. The relationship between them and the people is hostile and many people hate and even are afraid of police or any person higher up in the government. They only do whats best for them. I think it is not as extreme right now but very much a like.

Parable of the Sower

In the story 'Parable of the Sower' by Octavia Butler, the author does relate many things that are happening in our society in a more gruesome and intense way.
In her book, Butler describes many things that are happening in our lives such as rape, the use of drugs, greed, money, the hard job that the government has, pollution and global warming. Butler describes these things very well but on a higher level of intensity. As we read the book we notice that many of the things in her story are already happening in our society, such as the economy collapse,and the gradually increasing space between the rich and the middle,and lower calsses.The issues are getting worse and Ithink that this could happen in our future. It is already happening in some poorer countries in Africa, where women get raped all the time, they have to pay a lot or walk very far to get food and water, their government isn't helping the people, there is lots disease and poverty.
Butler is describing these horrible things in Parable of the Sower, and we realize that but like Lauren we think about how we could help ourselves and others if that occurred.

Jennifer Usner's Post

I think that poverty, homelessness, hunger, and violence today could turn out like Parable Of The Sower if we don't fix how we live today. If we don't fix these things they will get out of hand and may turn out like Octavia Butler described in the book. For a kid like me reading this the question that pops into my head is, is this going to be what I might be dealing with or living like. Just trying to fix them might make us feel better about our future.

Is our worls becoming a POTS world?

In our world today, many things are contributing to the declination of society. Our economy is in a slump, making it very difficult for people who or under-qualified OR over-qualified to find work.
More people are poor, and usually poverty leads to crime such as theft. In this aspect, our world is becoming subtly more similar to a world referred to as dystopian. Better look out for those bald green people lighting each other on fire, kids.

Dystopia

In The Parable of the Sower, Octavia Butler is depicting things that were issues or trends in the 1990's, but she is depicting them in a very exaggerated manner. Some of the issues she shows us are, drugs and drug addiction, fear of crime, rise of gated communities, and the growing distance between the rich and poor people. The world that Butler has created is a perfect example of a dystopia, but what caused this dystopia in the book? There was no war or anything of that sort, society simply fell apart over time.

It is possible that this could happen. Time is one of life's biggest dangers. Fear of time shows fear of change, and change isn't something that should be feared because it is a constant variable in life.

Our environment could easily change to be like Butlers. Look at the fall of the roman empire, there was really no war or any big, life changing events, the roman empire just kind of collapsed over time. Things in the past show us that anything is possible. The world could spiral down over time. Time is our biggest enemy, even if we don't see it as one.

Parable of the Sower Perfectly depicts a classic dystopia. The world in which Lauren lives is an imaginary futuristic world where fear and danger are abundant. Many of the aspects in the book are an intensified interpretation or parallel of reality. It is apparent that because of this paralleling, that Butler was trying to give the reader a blunt glimpse of both our present and how it will become our future. This is clear because of Butler’s use of the same issues that we people faced in America in the late 1990's until now like the use of designer drugs (pyro-drug/ ecstasy), decelerating literacy rates and lack of employment. Also, one of the most present issues in historical, modern and futuristic America is the demand for drinkable water which, like all of these problems, show the reader, how, if we don’t change our future will unfurl.

What in our world shows us Parable of the Sower as a possible future?

The condition of our planet, our economy, and our populations' mindset right now share similarities with the possible, not too distant future of the United States in Parable of the Sower. The natural state of our planet is disintegrating (i.e. the Gulf Oil Spill, constant ecosystem destruction to make room for industry, and all the trash buried in landfills every day). We are using our resources and changing the condition of Earth so rapidly that our world and we are unable to adjust. Also, with the value of money so low, it is hard for people to gain necessities. It is impossible for people in poverty to afford healthy foods, and get medical attention when it is vital. Big corporations are overpowering smaller local businesses, putting the control of many workers’ and their families into the hands of one giant corporation (similar to KSF in the novel). Also, many people in America are unable to imagine a world where the resources, people, and concepts they rely on are no longer dependable. We have so many material goods and such structured-scheduled lives that we get buried in small details and are unable to, or chose not to think about the possibility of change. All of these aspects of our world right now apply to people in Parable of the Sower. For example, water and food become extremely hard to get because of inflation, lack of resources, and the disrupted cycle of the weather. The people who are able to find temporary shelter behind their community walls try to block out the chaos and murder occurring around them and trying to live the lives they lead in the past.

What in our world shows us Parable of the Sower as a possible future?

The world that Butler creates in Parable of a Sower is a straightforward dystopia. There are already elements of our modern day life that show very similar characteristics to elements of Butler's world. For example gas mirrors water in Parable of a Sower because water is priced higher then any other resource in that world and only those with power control it. This is almost exactly what is happening with oil in modern day society. If I were to add one more thing I would talk about the violence and tensions between nations because in Parable of a Sower nations no longer help each other. Nations, if you can even call them that, are self centered and usually based around gaining money and power. This is not unlike most of the world now, except nations still give aid to others, depending on the circumstances.

What in our world shows us Parable of the Sower as a possible future

One of the most important things to remember or to actually know, is that the world in Parable of the Sower reflects problems already happening in this world. What Octavia Butler does is exaggerate these problems to a scary and troubling extent. I think that to write a very believable story about a dystopian world, she used problems people already know or have heard about, and turn them into something that gives people the illusion that that is how the problem could get worse. Some of the elements that Octavia used to create a dystopia are: Crime, theft, drugs, lack of education for some people, gated communities, guards, violence, society that is falling apart, and homelessness on the poverty-stricken streets.

In the book Parable of a Sower the world is falling apart rapidly. There is a crumbling economy, constant battles with drugs, dangerous places, as well as many other things. The world today is similar to the novel for many reasons. The most obvious reason is the deplorable economy. Both Parable of the Sower and the real world have an economy that needs improvement .Drugs are a constant struggle in the world right now and some people turn to them because of the current standing of the world. I wouldn't say that the real world is a dystopia like Parable of the Sower, but it depends on the way one looks at the world to determine that. There are better places than others in the Parable of the Sower world, as well as the substantial world. It really depends on where one is and what they make out of the life they're given.

What in our world shows us Parable of the Sower as a possible future?

There are many elements in Octavia Butler's novel that mirror things that are already happening in this world. What are they, according to you? Respond in no more than a paragraph.

Life of Pi: How can restrictions be liberating?

Restrictions can be liberating in many ways. If you know what your restrictions are then you have don't have to worry about as many things and you have less choices to make. In some cases choices can be tedious and hard, but if you have restrictions you have limited choices and solutions to choose from, and you are forced to pick the best one.
In Pi's case, the restrictions are drastic. He was in the middle of the pacific ocean, on a lifeboat with a huge tiger and limited supplies for more than 200 days. Because of Pi's restrictions, he had to liberate his mind of the struggles of society and focus on surviving. He didn't have people to tell him to choose a god. Pi had enough restrictions that he had the opportunity to be free. He could pray to whoever he wanted whenever he wanted with out society or a person clinging to his back and dragging him down all the time.
Pi had to find out a way to liberate himself from the restrictions of Richard Parker(the tiger). With the small amount of resources he had and his mind he started training the tiger and he also made a raft to liberate himself the dangers of the tiger. Being trapped on the lifeboat let Pi pray to whoever he wanted.Because of Pi's restrictions, he learned more about himself, about animals, and the ocean. Restrictions can be liberating, mentally and physically.

LIfe of Piu

In "The Life of Pi", restriction was very liberating. Being stuck on the life boat in the middle of the ocean with no one around except for Richard Parker was very stressful, but I think the stress of wild tiger, Richard Parker, saved Pi's life. Besides living with this constant threat, having the tiger on the boat with him gave Pi something to take care of, feed, and train. If Pi had been alone for all that time without something besides himself to take care of he might have lost his mind. The restriction of having to be so close to a wild animal for such a long time, actually kept Pi going. By living through the stress, Pi survived to live his life. Richard Parker was Pi's main lifeline.

I think that having the boundaries that Pi has is actually very helpful to him. By having the restrictions that he does, such as the very small boat and the ocean and Richard Parker it helps him to stay sane on his long journey. For example he uses R.P as a huge distraction for him self. He uses the training and taming of R.P and fishing and praying and such to help himself keep boundaries and work through it.

Being limited and restricted in the Life of Pi is actually helpful to Pi. I think that because Pi had the restriction of first of all being on a small life boat, and  also Richard Parker being restriction it was easier for Pi to create his bounderies.Because he had these restrictions he is able to have an environment that it is easier to wrap his mind around and helps him to be able to concentrate on keeping himself sane. For example he uses Richard Parker as a huge distraction for himself with training R.P and keeping himself a live by fishing and praying and such.

Life of Pi

Restrictions in Life of Pi can be liberating because when Pi was in the boat with Richard parker he decided that he needed to stay away from him to stay alive, Because of this he built the other, smaller life boat and let it trail along behind the bigger life boat. This later came to save his life because it added anchor to the life boat making it so that it went the same direction as the waves. This restriction also allowed for Pi to look at Richard Parker from a distance, allowing him to later establish his territory and figure out ways to tame him.

The time Pi's father showed him the tiger being fed the goat also acted as another restriction to Pi. This added a greater sense of caution and fear when looking and interacting with the tiger later in the book made Pi liberated from the constant danger by being more cautious when taming Richard parker which then led him to surviving throughout the book.

Ristriction can be liberating in the life of Pi because his ristriction in the life boat teaches Pi that with every ristriction there is also an expansion. For example when Pi is ristricted on the life boat with Richard Parker he come up with some very creative ways of avoiding the tiger, and eventually teaching Richard Parker that he is the super alfa by makeing loud nouse. Also the fact that Pi starts out on the life boat very religous and when he ends he is not so religous.

Pi and Richard Parker

When Pi is out on sea he is stuck on the life boat with the Richard Parker. And Pi feels trapped so every day he prays one to three times a day. Praying helps pi forget his emotions about losing his family and having hope of surviving. I think even though Pi is scared of Richard Parker he feels that the tiger is helping him with his emotions and of being lonesome and trapped on the life boat. Pi having to spend time on the life boat gave him time to pray and helped him find a few moments to forget his worries and go to a place in his mind were he could be free.

August 29, 2010 12:48 PM

How Can Restrictions be Liberating?

In my own personal opinion all restrictions can be liberating in a way, consciously or unconsciously, because they can take the question and the choices out of certain situations. At the zoo the animals may be in captivity, but the choices about food, housing, water, ect.. have been taken out of their lives which liberates them from those questions and/ or problems in their everyday life. This is, in my opinion, why the bear that escapes comes back to the zoo after a little while. The bear cannot survive regular life in the wild anymore because as a result of being liberated from those choices they have been forced to accept a certain life style.

Later in the book when Pi is on the lifeboat he has his own liberation. To sum it up quickly he is liberated from his religions. After an extended time on the lifeboat he decides that god has left him and he is suddenly liberated from all the beliefs and rules of religion. He no longer has to follow the specific and concrete guidelines and is open to believe what he wants to.

First, I think that restriction is something that we in our mind create for ourselves. There are many stories of animals allowed out of their cages (by doors being left open ex) but choose to stay in their cages because it is their home. The animals do not consider them selves restricted. We can choose to consider ourselves restricted or free. So in that way, one could say that pi was never really restricted. If he had considered the life boat as his home ( as he eventually does) he would not have thought he was caged in. However one can not argue with the fact that pi was physically limited to the life boat. This could be liberating mentally because he is finally given time to think. As an effect pi's beliefs do change.

Also, in pi's youth his parents did not allowed him near Richard Parker. It makes sense, what father would want his son near a 400-pound tiger. However, on the life boat pi is free to interact with Richard Parker as he pleased. One could argue that being forced with Richard Parker was just another restriction but i don't think pi viewed it that way. In fact, pi says that he would not have survived with out Richard Parker. Witch brings me back to my earlier point that restriction and freedom change based on how one looks at it.

When Pi was growing up he had lots of freedom to roam around the zoo but he also had restrictions, like his dad showed him with the tiger and the goat. When Pi is trapped on the boat he realizes that he isn't the only one trapped in a cage, he is trapped just like all the animals in the zoo. When he is trapped on the boat he is restricted in the way that he cant leave, but he has the liberty to think and relax. he doesnt have anyone bothering him or telling him what to do. he has the freedom to just sit and do nothing. Also on the boat Pi was able to be all the religions he wanted, as to before he was restricted to his practicing's back home.

Life Of Pi

Although as a young child Pi was always introverted, his mental prospect in life was affected and produced by his upbringing. Pi's father, Santosh, knew little of Pi's personal aspects of life, he did, however, give Pi lessons at the zoo which affected him greatly. These lessons were coveted by Pi and shaped his thinking as he grew older. Pi grew up with the idea that animals were better off in the zoo than at the mercy of nature. He believed that within a territory supplied with all of the survival props that an animal will be content and will feel liberated from the task of survival despite the obvious restrictions. By carrying these ideas back from Pondicherry and onto the boat he was able to find liberty. Although it took him a while to fully appreciate the things that liberated him within the boat, he soon realized that within it he did posses liberty. However, his experience was quite unlike that of the zoo animals. He had no people to care for him, he had no instant gratification of hunger and in order to survive it was necessary for him to take on numerous amount of survival chores. Nevertheless he had a full supply of fresh meat within the ocean with complete economic freedom, he had the freedom from societal constraints and the freedom of religion.

The life of Pi - Restrictions

When Pi was a young child he was able to learn from the zoo that his father owned. He learned that animals had their own boundairies and he learned not to go over an animals comfort zone.

That knowledge helped him survive many months on a boat with a Bengal tiger. Pi was able to leave Richard Parker alone and keep out of the ferocious beast's way, that allowed Richard Parker to get used to Pi's presence. Once the tiger got used to a human, Pi made lots of noise and big gestures to show Richard Parker that he was the dominant male. Because Pi had worked with restriction of animals he was able to understand Richard Parker's boundaries.


Pi also faces many hard challenges when he is forced to go against his nature to survive. He must eat meat even though he is a vegetarian. However, being alone on this small ship made him free to question life, death and religion. Pi no longer had any restrictions, even though he was physically captive in a small area he was able to let his mind wonder over the vast seas.


Pi learned that to know your restrictions helps you learn and observe your freedom.