When covering Lilith’s Brood in class we certainly discussed a wide range of topics mentioned in the book but I feel like we barely paused to consider a very prominent element in Octavia Butler’s novel- Sex. Many of the books we have read so far this semester discuss topics of a sexual nature and compare the two spheres of sexuality (Male and Female… however to say these two are the only “spheres” is not entirely correct). In fact, Science Fiction has a history of being used as a tool to explore sexual change, forcing readers to recognize the current changes in cultural beliefs. The following is a list of topics pertaining to sex found within the Sci Fi genre:
- Sex with aliens, machines and robots
- Reproductive technology including cloning, artificial wombs, parthenogenesis, and genetic engineering
- Sexual equality of men and women
- Male- and female-dominated societies, including single-gender worlds
- Polyamory
- Changing gender roles
- Homosexuality and bisexuality
- Androgyny and sex changes
- Sex in virtual reality
- Other advances in technology for sexual pleasure such as teledildonics
- Asexuality
- Male pregnancy
- Sexual taboos and morality
- Sex in zero gravity
- Birth control and other, more radical measures to prevent overpopulation
Butler often uses many of these themes in her novels; Lilith’s Brood takes a look at several of these She introduces the concept that mankind is practically incapable of breeding without outside help from aliens. This is mainly due to the aliens, who have taken it upon themselves to render the humans infertile in human-human relationships. The “ultimate” birth control enacted on the humans by the aliens doesn’t completely work and some manage to maintain their fertility. Unfortunately the population of the human race has significantly shrunk due to violent warfare and the miniscule amount of people still fertile is not enough to repopulate the human race. When the humans discover that a few of them are still fertile they attempt to start their own breeding program. Because there are so few left fertile they must mate closely related humans and the result is a rise in incestuous relationships. She uses logic to bring her readers to the conclusion that occurring events are the evitable decisions that must be made by mankind to survive. The common belief held by the humans is that if humans are to be purebred, free of all alien DNA, then immediate family members capable of breeding must be allowed to so. We see this exemplified in the relationship between siblings Tomas and Jesusa. Both suffer from genetic disorders that leave them deformed and Tomas crippled, results of inbreeding. Butler really tries to test her readers to their limit by exploring incestuous and forced relationships and the acceptance of such behaviors by her human characters in her novel. Paul Titus for example is overcome by his sexual urges and attempts to rape Lilith. The most startling revelation of this event is when Nikanj tells her the other aliens would have possibly allowed Paul Titus to actually do so, just so they could observe what would have taken place. In an effort to breed…or sometimes just because… women are stolen and rapped. This leads to a decline in sexual equality among humans and at some point it breaks down completely and women return a submissive role in their culture- as breeders.
Even among the Oankali women play the role of breeders. However, instead of looking at the sexual equality of two, the reader is introduced to a third androgynous sex. The ooloi often mate with pairs of siblings and cousins and incestuous are not considered taboo. In this culture, the Sexual superiority seems to be held by the ooloi. They are the only ones allowed control over breeding due to their ability to manipulate genes. Growing awareness of sexuality has led to the exploration of sexual identity, as witnessed in Butler’s novel.
Homosexuality is not a dominate theme, and usually only surfaces as an insult to human males involved in alien mating. The topic of male-male, female-female relationships don’t really come up and perhaps this is evidence of growing acceptance to homosexuality. I feel that Bi-sexuality is also a theme marginally represent in Butler’s novels. None of her human characters show an interest both male and females. Her ooloi characters represent a perfect blending of “male/female” qualities. Androgyny in this case doesn’t necessarily mean “sexless”. Most people mistakenly assume androgyny implies sterility or “sexlessness”. In the Oankali culture the ooloi are very sexual creatures. They also have a pansexual quality to them. Pansexual is defined as a person who has the potential for sexual attractions, sexual desire, or romantic love, towards people of all gender identities and biological sexes. This can certainly be applied to the nature of the ooloi and the sexually open culture of the Oankali.
The Oankali’s acceptance of polygamous mating and family groups creates a unique foil to the traditional human family. By introducing these concepts a part of an alien culture Butler is able to freely explore the impact they have on society today.
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