51 pages • 1 hour read
Adulthood Rites
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Symbols & Motifs
Phoenix
A phoenix is a mythical creature known for its cyclical regeneration through catching fire and being reborn from the ashes. This symbol assumes a central role in the narrative, notably as the namesake of the principal resister city, Phoenix. By employing the image of the phoenix in this context, Butler elevates it beyond a conventional mythological reference. Instead, the symbol becomes a potent metaphor encapsulating humanity’s enduring struggle for independence and the preservation of its identity. Drawing on the traditional associations of the phoenix’s renewal and rebirth, Butler represents the resisters’ cyclical journey of destruction and renewal. The phoenix represents the ongoing resister struggle, capturing their tenacity and their cyclical resistance against forces that seek to reshape them.
The phoenix is introduced as a symbol of humanity’s struggle when Akin moves to Phoenix after being abducted. Phoenixes also appear when Gabe shows Akin the village’s currency, which features a phoenix emblem. During this scene, Gabe shares that the bird represents hope for humanity’s eventual resurgence from the ashes of nuclear fallout. Akin, influenced by his Oankali skepticism toward stories deemed “untrue,” instinctively dismisses the phoenix as a myth. Thus, Akin’s dismissal of the phoenix represents the Oankali point of view.
In the final section, Neci, embodying humanity’s violent and destructive tendencies, sets fire to Tate and Gabe’s house—Akin’s refuge during his metamorphosis. The symbolism of the phoenix resurfaces as a fulfilled prophecy, embodying the essence of the village’s name: Phoenix. As they witness the village engulfed in flames, Akin guides the humans who aided him and embraced his difference toward the realization of his vision—a human settlement on Mars, signifying humanity’s renewal. Consequently, humanity itself becomes synonymous with the phoenix, rising from the ashes of the resister village. Those willing to embrace change and diversity are metaphorically reborn, leading the way toward humanity’s renewal.
Motherhood or Parenthood
The motif of motherhood is a central concept that deeply influences the novel’s exploration of The Complexities of Individual and Collective Identity and The Consequences of Colonialism and Genetic Mutation. Parenthood becomes a lens through which characters connect with one another, navigate their own identities, and grapple with the shifting dynamics in their world.
The motif of motherhood is introduced with Akin’s birth, which catalyzes the novel’s events. Lilith is Akin’s human mother, a crucial role that holds significance for him. He regards her as his most “interesting” parent, as she has the most “interesting” taste and feel. However, Butler complicates the traditional notions of motherhood and parenthood. Akin, being an Oankali construct, has more than two parents. His numerous parents include Oankali and humans, as well as female, male, and ooloi figures. Parenthood, in this context, takes on a diverse and layered form with Akin’s birthright tied to this collective environment. Parenthood becomes not just a one-on-one experience but a community relationship, representing familial structures outside of patriarchy, which emphasizes the nuclear family unit.
Following Akin’s abduction, Tate assumes the role of caregiver, stepping into the maternal role. Even during his journey to Phoenix, Akin seeks out parents, asking for guidance from individuals who behave violently toward him such as Galt or Iriarte. Throughout Akin’s journey, the concept of parenthood becomes synonymous with learning, a motif deeply entwined with the exploration of identity. Parenthood, in this narrative, represents not only caregiving but also a profound source of knowledge and self-discovery.
Akin’s experiences with parenting and teaching are a microcosm that offers insights into how the Oankali perceive their relationship with humans. As Akin matures, he gradually uncovers the complexities of this dynamic and begins to grasp the human perspective on the Oankali approach. The Oankali view themselves as superior, possessing wisdom beyond that of humans. Their plan involves exchanging genetic material to eliminate human ailments and integrate them into the Oankali community. This perspective mirrors a parent-child relationship, with the Oankali viewing themselves as wiser, guiding entities. With this, they disregard human desire and agency.
Conflict arises as humans, particularly the resisters, reject this relationship. The idea of another species as children is perceived as condescending. Consequently, parenthood becomes a source of tension and conflict between the two species. The Oankali’s actions, intended as guidance and improvement, are interpreted by the humans as a form of colonization—a subjugation that challenges their autonomy and identity. This intricate exploration of parenthood between species underscores the broader themes of resistance, autonomy, and the consequences of imposing one’s will on another.
Plants and Animals
Teaching and learning play a crucial role in the narrative, with Akin learning from both caregivers and the environment. While Akin consistently treats his caregivers as valuable teachers, the narrative also emphasizes his learning experiences from the diverse plants and animals encountered throughout his journey. These elements are symbols that represent unique forms of existence, distinct from both Oankali and humans. Additionally, they come to represent specific locations and even species as a whole.
Akin’s first experiences with the world are rooted in his Oankali nature, emphasizing the role of taste in gathering information. Akin’s persistent desire to taste and gain information from various plants and animals is a metaphorical journey to understand Earth better. The garden outside Lo, loved by Lilith and tended by Tino, becomes a focal point in which human plants thrive, requiring effort and care by the humans living in Lo. Despite having access to sufficient food in Lo, humans willingly engage in this labor, suggesting an inherent need to connect with the Earth. This connection implies that connection with the natural environment is deeply ingrained in the human spirit. In this context, plants and animals symbolize humanity, representing the pre-Oankali era when humans coexisted with the Earth in harmony, untouched by their self-destructive tendencies.
In this way, the symbolism of plants and animals encapsulates the complex and paradoxical nature of humanity. While these natural elements represent Earth and humanity’s deep connection to it, they also embody a contradictory aspect of human behavior. The novel’s postapocalyptic world is a backdrop against which this paradox is portrayed. For instance, Galt killing the agouti, an animal Akin seeks to connect with, exemplifies the destructive tendencies within humans. In a world ravaged by nuclear war, Galt’s senseless act reflects the darker side of humanity, where love for nature is juxtaposed against a destructive impulse. This duality mirrors the overarching themes in the novel, particularly those related to Violence and Human Hierarchy.
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By Octavia E. Butler
