Part III Ch. 13 and 14, Part IV Ch. 1-4

PART III
CHAPTERS 13 AND 14:

The short chapter 13 depicts Joseph and Nikanj arguing about the morality of drugging the Awakened humans as "imprinting, chemical and social" (Butler 191). Joseph is appalled with the idea that the humans will be in an altered state of consciousness while being modified chemically as well to be more tolerant and relaxed around one another, and with the Oankali. The potent drugs given to the humans works well, but as they are being weaned from the ooloi chemicals, Peter strikes out, ultimately resulting in his accidental death. The ooloi responsible for this is injured which summons his family and prompts the first interaction with the male and female Oankali. While Peter's mate, Jean, is relieved to have her family near, she praises Peter for dying human, as most likely none of them will do.

RESPONSE:
Jean expresses to Lilith and Joseph her disdain towards the Oankali plan to change the humans for the better. Jean speculates as to what humans will have become by the time this group dies. She says that they will be, "Not human. Not anymore" (Butler 196). Would you rather die as Peter has, fully human and fervently opposed to Oankali ways, or do you think you could possibly accept the changes the Oankali are planning to give you in order to survive on Earth on your own? Why?




PART IV-- THE TRAINING FLOOR
CHAPTER 1:

The novel skips ahead in time slightly to the point at which Lilith and her students, the Awakened humans, are placed on the training floor to begin preparing themselves for their return to Earth. The floor is so convincingly similar to the earth's forests that the humans are deceived and plot to escape by boat on the wide river that flows near the campsite. Though Lilith reminds them that they are not on Earth, Nikanj tells her to, "let them row their boats to the walls and back," to fully convince them of their situation (Butler 200).

RESPONSE:
Put yourself in the shoes of the Awakened humans. Up to this point, would you have believed Lilith's story of what had happened, where you are, and what is expected of you? If the training floor were almost identical to the woods of the earth, do you think you would try to escape in stead of work together with the other humans and learn how to survive?



CHAPTER 2

As tools such as axes, tarps, cooking items, and machetes are distributed amongst the humans, Lilith speaks to those she finds dangerous to one another in hopes of preventing violence. Curt, only recently taken off the drugs, poses a major threat to the unity of the group. The others hypothesize that Curt will be looking for some revenge because, "someone else is pushing all his buttons" (Butler 203). Gender stereotypes are certainly enforced here as people begin to consider Curt weak and womanlike because he had been drugged and under complete control of the ooloi for so long.

RESPONSE:
Curt is predicted by the others to be a danger to their newly created society. How do you think this will affect Lilith's ability to effectively teach and possibly maintain control over the humans? Do you feel that Curt poses a significant threat to the group in the process of making up for his recent listlessness at the hands of the ooloi?



CHAPTER 3:

Lilith finally begins teaching the group basic principles of building shelter and gathering food from the vegetation of the training floor. They begin harvesting crops as, "the Oankali...begin to see what they would harvest in their human crop" (Butler 205). The humans begin dividing amongst themselves on the island as a result of rising distrust in the idea that this world was constructed on a space ship. Even Lilith finds herself questioning whether she was right in believing the Oankali. Tate approaches Lilith in order to tell her than she and Gabriel were planning on leaving camp and extends the invitation to her and Joseph. With some prodding, Joseph convinces Lilith to join Tate and the others in escaping regular camp.

RESPONSE:
Lilith sees no point in trying to explore the island because she knows the truth about the training floor. However, she agrees to go along because it is important to Joseph to see for himself. Has there ever been a time in your life when you were absolutely certain about something or idea, but have gone against it your feelings for someone you care about?



CHAPTER 4:

Lilith and Joseph prepare to venture away from camp. As the group sets off, they realize the hardships they must face without ooloi help and protection. The others are oddly quiet around Lilith, as if they suspect her of plotting to contact the Oankali. They express their stagnant fear of the still very alien species and explain to Lilith that she must bear the burden of such fear as she is most like their captors. She articulates to the others that this training floor is their final test before being sent back to Earth but it is a "live-die course," they must survive (Butler 216).

RESPONSE:
Since Lilith has been modified by the Oankali the most, and holds more alien traits than the others, she is the scapegoat for much of the frustration produced by the Awakened humans. Why do you think Lilith is able to handle all of the stress put on her by the group? What makes Lilith a desirable leader in this situation?