Introduction to Women’s and Gender Studies

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punam

Zhi Li 7813086

WOMN 1500

Punam Mehta

Oct. 21

Social Justice Critical Paper Proposal

Dawn, the science-fiction novel is written by Octavia E. Butler in 1947 in which she explored several themes ranging from social injustice, xenogenesis, loneliness, struggles, and drive of survival and humanity. SUPPORT WITH EVIDENCE. It is the first novel of the science-fiction trilogy, in which a post-apocalyptic world is shown in the near future. After the nuclear war of earth, Lilith, the protagonist, is left behind, who is one of the few human beings left? WHY IS THIS A QUESTION? In the novel, different factors have been analyzed, including the intelligent and defiant female leadership and consensual relationships between aliens and human beings, and several social issues. In this assignment, the novel Dawn will be critically analyzed through the lens of social justice. BE MORE SPECIFIC. This novel proves that social injustice prevails not only in human beings but also in aliens as well, especially in intersectional paradigm. 

USE TOPIC SETNECES. The novel starts with the interaction of the aliens with the human race. Aliens have three species, i.e., males, females, and Oankali. In a way, they are saving the human race and earth by keeping human beings alive in their program, but at a deeper level, they have their own motivation behind it. Their survival depends on the continuous interbreeding with different species, which compels them to initiate an interbreeding program in which there is no space of consent. They kept human beings in isolation and also humiliated them on a regular basis because of their genetic and makeup. On the other hand, human beings also respond to them with hatred and violence, not only for the aliens but for the human leader as well. I WANT TO HEAR MORE CRITICAL ANALYSIS NOT SUMMARY OF THE BOOK

The novel is considered dystopian literature, mainly because of the characteristics which the human breed possesses (Jesser) MECHANISM AND CITATION ERROR. Butler has shown the negative side of humanity through their interaction with each other and with aliens. The harmful elements of xenophobia, hatred, racial and gender violence, discrimination, and competition are shown in the human race. Lilith, the chosen representative and leader of the human race, are continuously humiliated by the human males, and at the same time, they react to aliens with xenophobic and hatred responses. They also threatened her with rape and murder and they also mock Chinese people. It is also influenced by the intersectionality of gender and race of the biasness in society (Harris and Zeus). THIS SHOULD BE A TOPIC SENTENCE

On the other hand, aliens are shown in their perfect condition as well. Where human beings are violent, hateful, and cruel, the aliens are also careless, arrogant, and they do not have a sense of consent of human rights. They consider themselves superior to the human race, and it can be seen through their idea of training human beings. They are, in a way helping human beings, but in reality, they are helping themselves for their selfish motives. They are not just and fair to human beings as well. 

Butler has raised her concern about the dystopian future of the human race that even in critical times; they are not equally and fairly treating each other. However, through the intelligence of one of them, the human race was able to gain complete freedom. She did not portray the simple depiction of humans being bad ones and alien being good ones; instead, she showed all the realistic sides of both races. Oankali is an environmentally friendly and responsible race, but they also have a superiority complex, which is demonstrated through their hatred towards the human race. 

Lilith, the protagonist, has been subjected to several atrocities throughout the novel, but she never gave up and gave her to the will of aliens or human beings. She is an intelligent woman, but even then, she had to face gender and racial discrimination at the hands of other species. She refuses to be the puppet of both races, instead she used her own consciousness and brain to make way for her race, even when they maltreated her. The story does not end with any kind of solution, but it shows the ray of hope that through determination and consistent efforts, there are chances of achieving improvement among the species in terms of their progress and transformation into a tolerant society. 

Work Cited

Butler, Octavia E. Dawn. 1987. Accessed 21 Oct 2020.

Jesser, Nancy. "Blood, genes and gender in Octavia Butler's Kindred and Dawn." Extrapolation (pre-2012) 43.1 (2002): 36.

Harris, Angela, and Zeus Leonardo. "Intersectionality, race-gender subordination, and education." Review of Research in Education 42.1 (2018): 1-27.

Work Cited

Butler, Octavia E. Dawn. 1987. Accessed 21 Oct 2020.

Jesser, Nancy. "Blood, genes and gender in Octavia Butler's Kindred and Dawn." Extrapolation (pre-2012) 43.1 (2002): 36.

Harris, Angela, and Zeus Leonardo. "Intersectionality, race-gender subordination, and education." Review of Research in Education 42.1 (2018): 1-27.