51 pages • 1 hour read
Octavia E. ButlerAdulthood Rites
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1988A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Themes
The Complexity of Individual and Collective Identity
Akin’s hybrid identity is a central theme and driving force throughout the novel. His unique position—being neither solely human nor solely Oankali—positions him at the center of all the conflicts that unfold in the narrative. Akin becomes a symbolic bridge between these two distinct entities, embodying a desire for the best outcomes for both worlds. His character becomes a focal point for exploring the tensions, complexities, and intricacies that arise from the coexistence of two divergent species. Akin’s dual nature becomes a metaphorical bridge, symbolizing the potential for understanding, harmony, and cooperation between the Oankali and human communities.
The theme of complex identity manifests both on an individual and collective level within the narrative. Akin, the protagonist, grapples with the intricate nature of his individual identity. Being both alien and human places him in a constant state of in-betweenness, mirroring the broader condition of the world itself. This collective in-betweenness reflects the societal tension between the Oankali and humans. Akin’s individual identity is frequently tested, particularly by humans who perceive him as less than human due to his mixed heritage. As Akin learns about human ways, he paradoxically becomes more human in his thinking and consciousness, all while retaining his Oankali essence. In this way, the narrative questions what it means to embody multiple identities and highlights how blending cultures and traits can have positive results.
Akin’s dual identity is both a blessing and a curse. The blessing lies in his unique position to mediate the crisis between humans and Oankali, facilitating understanding between them. However, the curse lies in the inherent loneliness of not wholly belonging to either group—he is rejected and othered at various times in the novel, such as when Gabe interferes with Akin healing Tate. His dual nature forces Akin to deeply comprehend both sides of his ancestry, knowledge that leads to acute suffering. This exploration of Akin’s identity becomes a lens through which the novel delves into the struggles, revelations, and consequences of existing in a state of in-betweenness, both on an individual and societal level.
The idea of collective identity is also brought to the surface through the dynamics between and within the alien and human groups, notably in the nuanced nature of the Oankali’s collective existence. Akin’s hybrid identity connects these distinct groups, challenging and reshaping their collective identities. The Oankali, deeply interconnected through sensory attachments, exemplify a symbiotic collective identity. Akin’s strained relationship with his sibling, Tiikuchahk, illustrates the profound pain of their forced isolation, disrupting their collective identity and highlighting the significance of connection—without this unity, each feels lost and incomplete.
Humans, too, possess a collective identity in their common humanity. However, this unity is marred by fragmentation and isolation, influenced by fear and hierarchical tendencies. Butler’s social critique suggests that feelings or structures that elevate some over others are destructive, as represented in Neci’s fire spreading throughout Phoenix and burning the whole village. While her arson targeted Akin for his difference, the entire community suffers. The group that heads to Mars does so on equal footing, and the novel ends with a hopeful outlook on the Mars settlement’s success. Butler also emphasizes the importance of allowing humans to retain their autonomy and not sacrifice themselves for an ostensibly superior force; neither internal human hierarchies nor the Oankali-human hierarchy can result in peace.
Ultimately, the complex nature of collective identity is underscored by Butler’s refusal to provide a simplistic one-to-one analogy to contemporary colonialism. Instead, she presents both humans and Oankali as flawed, avoiding clear distinctions between heroes and villains. In this, Butler challenges the notion of definability, portraying collective identity as intricate, ever-changing, and resistant to simple categorizations.
The Consequences of Colonialism and Genetic Mutation
To provide insight into the complications of colonialism and genetic heritage in the contemporary world, Butler crafts a narrative in which a seemingly benevolent alien species intervenes on Earth, saving humans but harboring ulterior motives. However, rather than establishing a one-to-one analogy with historical European colonization practices, Butler explores these themes more broadly in the context of an alien world. By employing this approach, Butler confronts the complexities of colonialism and the ethical dilemmas associated with genetic manipulation. The absence of explicit parallels allows for a fresh examination of these ideas, evoking historical context but letting the story exist on its own terms. In its futuristic setting, Adulthood Rites asks what futures are possible in the aftermath of colonialism, advocating for peaceful coexistence and self-determination for the colonized.
Akin, as a character with both human and Oankali elements, is an ideal narrator and leader for navigating the novel’s exploration of colonialism. His hybrid existence positions him outside the confines of either camp, providing a unique perspective on the dynamics at play. His experiences embody the challenges and richness of existing in a state of genetic duality. This reflects the experiences of individuals with biracial backgrounds, highlighting the interplay between different cultural, racial, and ethnic influences. Butler’s use of aliens as a vehicle for discussing these themes provides a unique perspective, prompting readers to consider the implications of genetic diversity in a speculative context. While it is easy to think of colonial narratives in absolute terms—colonizer and colonized, villain and hero—Butler questions the usefulness of this frame when discussing future generations with traits of both. Akin struggles to find his place but ultimately becomes stronger when he embraces traits from both backgrounds; his humanity makes him more sensitive and thoughtful, while his Oankali skills and physical attributes let him heal and lead others. Butler asserts that a peaceful postcolonial future will rely on acknowledging past struggles and oppression and moving forward together, creating a new society that mixes cultures.
Akin’s conclusion that humans should be allowed the opportunity to fail, even at the risk of self-destruction, reflects Butler’s exploration of autonomy and the right to shape one’s own destiny. This perspective carries implications for colonial practices, where colonizers often justify their actions by claiming to assist or civilize colonized subjects. Butler challenges this paternalistic attitude, highlighting the condescension inherent in denying individuals the freedom to fail. By drawing parallels between Akin’s insight and colonialism, she critiques the imposition of external control and emphasizes the importance of individual agency. Akin’s stance becomes a commentary on the human experience, asserting that the right to self-determination, even if it leads to failure, is an integral part of human autonomy and spirit.
Violence and Human Hierarchy
One of the novel’s prevalent questions is whether violence and hierarchy are intrinsic traits in human society. The Oankali call this phenomenon the human “Contradiction,” asserting that humans possess a perilous combination of intelligence and hierarchical tendencies that inevitably lead to violence and destruction. Nuclear fallout, which has devastated the Earth, stands as their primary evidence. This catastrophic event is a complex backdrop to the trilogy; the Oankali saved humans—possibly against their will—though with an ulterior motive of utilizing the human gene pool to benefit their own species. The novel delves into the ethical nuances surrounding intervention, manipulation, and the consequences of the inherent human contradiction.
The human societies, or resister groups, depicted in the novel are violent and often dysfunctional, initially bolstering the Oankali view of humanity. Despite this characterization, not all individuals within these communities exhibit violent tendencies. Instead, each character is portrayed as complex, dealing with human frustrations and intense emotions in their interactions with the Oankali and each other. Butler introduces the notion that while violence and human hierarchy might be unavoidable, they do not exclusively define the human spirit. For example, figures like Galt and Iriarte, Akin’s original captors, display violence toward others, each other, and Akin, but they still have moments of compassion. They engage in rituals such as burying their dead and mourning the loss of their children and loved ones, revealing the complicated nature of their characters. Tino’s parents are also an example of human compassion paired with human violence. Tino’s father, Mateo, does commit an act of violence, but it comes from a place of deep loss: He believes his son has been killed, and he tries to avenge his death with a machete. Despite the prevalence of violence, Butler suggests that it does not overshadow other aspects of human identity, emphasizing the complexity and diversity of human behavior.
Neci and Tate come to embody contrasting perspectives, serving as personifications of violence and preservation, respectively. Neci encapsulates the spirit of destruction, representing the extreme inclination to eradicate anything deemed strange or alien. This is demonstrated by her desire to cut off the Amma’s and Shkaht’s tentacles, and her actions culminate in setting the house on fire and symbolically destroying Phoenix. The fire’s spread represents the destructive nature of violence and hierarchy, as the whole village suffers even though they were not the targets. In contrast, Tate symbolizes preservation through her care for Akin and her acceptance of his alien side. She consistently stands as a barrier against humanity’s downfall, actively protecting Akin and, therefore, paving the way for humanity’s new future. Butler suggests that embracing difference, as represented by Tate’s acceptance of Akin’s alien features, holds the key to preserving humanity. Neci’s violent tendencies inadvertently contribute to the initiation of a new future by burning away the old, underscoring the complexity of actions and their unintended consequences within the intricate web of the novel’s themes. In the end, Butler considers humanity’s potential for both destruction and renewal, which is possible by accepting difference and undoing hierarchies.
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