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Book 3, Chapter 9
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Dawn, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Humanity, Evolution, and Genetics
Motherhood and Leadership
Consent and Autonomy
Sexuality and Gender
Summary
Analysis
The first people that Lilith Awakened are now in charge of taking care of newly Awakened people. Leah’s man, Wray Ordway, is aggressively sexual toward her at first, but with Gabriel’s help, she fends him off and only seems amused. Later, she voluntarily consents to pair with Wray. Meanwhile, a man named Derrick Wolski riles up a crowd, suggesting that they try to catch the Oankali as they’re refilling the supply cabinets, in order to actually see them. Eventually, the Oankali allow Derrick to come out and see them. He doesn’t come back.
The new humans that Lilith Awakens continue to surprise her. When Wray acts aggressively toward Leah, it recalls how Paul acted toward Lilith, but while Lilith strongly resisted, Leah just seems amused. Leah, who is deeply religious, seems to a big believer in tradition, like the idea that men should be more assertive in a sexual relationship. The differing outcomes that Leah and Lilith have with men emphasize the diversity of the human experience and how it is difficult to predict how people will react in a given situation.
Themes
Peter and Jean get angry at Lilith over Derrick, but Lilith eventually shows them the plant where Derrick is sleeping. People remain suspicious of everything she does, however, and Gabriel warns her that she’s losing control of the situation, with many rallying behind Peter. Joseph agrees with Gabriel and says they need to take stock of their own allies. Gabriel adds that perhaps Lilith should speak directly to the Oankali.
Derrick is the first time that Lilith has drawn on her power and involved the Oankali in helping to control the human population. While in the short-term, this removes the problem of Derrick, it only strengthens the resolve of Lilith’s opponents, illustrating how leadership is a careful balance.
Themes
