"Lilith's Brood"

This week I had no homework and absolutely nothing to do. I remained home while everyone else got see their families. So i decided to occupy my mind with reading. I decided I was going to read all of Lilith's Brood by Octavia Butler.

The week's reading consisted of three books that come together to form the novel, Lilith's Brood. All three books are science fiction novels. In this novel, we are introduced to a new species called the Oankali. The main characters of this story, however, are humans. These characters are Lilith and her children. Her children were altered genetically. The novel begins with Lilith being revived by the Oankali after a nuclear war on earth. Humanity nearly killed itself. The war almost destroyed the entire human species. During the war, the Oankali watched far off in space. The Oankali's agenda is simple: to colonize planet Earth. They aim to collect a number of humans and create a hybrid species from them. Of course there are humans opposed to the Oankali and oppose their aim to genetically alter humanity. Lilith's son was genetically altered by the Oankali. When he is discovered by human rebels, he is taken to a hidden prison. The book ends with Her other son, Judahs. Judahs is able to combine both human and alien societies.

What interested me the most was not the main character, or her children, but rather the ambition of the Oankali. I believe that much of the metaphors and analogies were all meant to bring out the idea of colonization. This means that colonization would always take place, since advanced technology gives more power to those that have it. It also suggests that other species may not be so different from ours. Hierarchy (the need to control and be on top) is still present in this other spices. Although this species is peaceful and seems to have good intentions, in my opinion they are still playing God's hand.