Module 3: The supernatural
Wild Seed Reading guide (Part 1)
Please respond to the following questions as you work through the first week of lecture materials and reading in Module 3: Wild Seed Book I, Chapters 1-6 (pp. 3-141). The reading guide is due to the correct D2L Dropbox
Book I: Covenant, 1690
As you read through Book I, identify the following places, objects and ideas, or characters. Make sure to include as much information as possible, for example …
• Places: include geographical location and significance to the story;
• Objects and ideas: include information about relevant historical background and significance to the story;
• Characters: what we learn about them in Book I, including their abilities and/or “different” powers, their relationship to other characters, their age, etc. and their significance to the story.
You may write your answers either as a short response for each character/place or make a list of characteristics for each as you read. As always, include page numbers when citing from the novel and include a short in-text citation for any other sources you may consult!
a) Doro
b) Anyanwu
c) Kingdom of Kush
d) Niger River
e) Benin
f) Onitsha
g) Ogbanje
h) Colony of New York
i) Royal Africa Company
j) Bernard Daly
k) Okoye
l) Silver Star
m) Kingdom of Bonny
n) New Calabar
o) John Woodley
p) Udenkwo
q) Isaac
r) Lale Sachs
s) Gilpin/Wheatley
t) Sarah and Robert Cutler
u) Anneke Strycker
v) Mrs. Waemans
w) Mbgafo
1. What is “seed” in this novel? What is “wild seed”?
2. Why does Anyanwu insist, “You and I are not alike” (Butler 23). Who is she talking about? Why does she resist this comparison? How does Doro respond?
3. What do you think Anyanwu means when she says, “It does not matter. As I said, these things are for others to see. I must lie a little, even here” (Butler 27). What is she referring to? Why is this significant for the story?
4. What is the significance of the dolphin episode in Chapter 5? Why do you think Butler chose the figure of a dolphin? Why is Anyanwu so drawn to this creature? What do we learn?
5. At the end of Chapter 6, Anyanwu thinks, “In her pride, she had denied that she was a slave. She could no longer deny it” (Butler 140). Offer an interpretation of this insight.
Prezi: Module 3 (Part 1)
Octavia Butler on Charlie Rose (1 June 2000)
What do we learn about Octavia Butler and her work in this interview (Parts 1 and 2)? Identify two ideas / issues / facts / connections that stand out to you. Why do you think these ideas / issues / facts / connections stand out to you? Explain your answers, please!
* If you’re not able to access the videos, that’s okay. Instead, please do some research on Octavia Butler and her work to find some connections! *
1. Idea / issue / fact / connection #1
2. Idea / issue / fact / connection #2
CrashCourse: The Atlantic Slave Trade
In Wild Seed, just like in the other novels we’ve read, historical context plays an important role … both in how the novel creates meaning and in how we interpret this meaning. Think about the two most significant [useful, surprising, disturbing, meaningful] ideas you’ll take with you from this video. Why do these ideas stand out to you? How do you connect them to Butler’s novel?
* If you’re not able to access the videos, that’s okay. Instead, please do some research on the Atlantic Slave Trade to find some connections! *
CrashCourse: Slavery
Again, think about the two most significant [useful, surprising, disturbing, meaningful] ideas you’ll take with you from this video. Why do these ideas stand out to you? How do you connect them to Butler’s novel?
* If you’re not able to access the videos, that’s okay. Instead, please do some research on the history of slavery in the United States to find some connections! *
