Parable of the Sower: Chapter 18 Summary & Analysis

The scripture that opens Chapter 18 advocates a weekly “Gathering of Earthseed.” It is Sunday, and the traveling group is resting on a new beach in Santa Barbara County. Lauren is surprised to find that some of the local people on the beach are willing to talk to her. They discuss pyro and the problem of people setting fires. No one Lauren speaks to knows of any jobs that pay in real money. The day before, the group had stocked up on supplies at a shopping complex. They paid to do laundry, a “luxury” they can only afford to do every so often. They had hoped that the water would be cheaper further north, but so far the opposite is true.

Back on the beach, Travis questions Lauren about how she can really believe in Earthseed, when she “made it up.” Lauren responds that Earthseed comes from her observations and analysis of the world around her. She says she was “looking for God,” and what she found was change.

Harry joins the conversation. Travis discusses the physical law of entropy, which surprises Lauren; Travis explains that his mother had been a journalist and that she taught him to read and write. After Travis’s mother was forced to become a cook, Travis would secretly read the books from the library of his mother’s rich employer. Lauren reflects that this story is reminiscent of slavery, when enslaved people risked death in order to educate themselves.

Travis continues, saying that after his mother died, he and Natividad worked for the same employer; however, this man soon began making sexual advances at Natividad. The man’s wife then helped Travis and Natividad to escape. Lauren notes that no such help existed during slavery. Travis says he can’t view entropy as God because “nobody’s going to worship” change. However, Lauren points out that Earthseed isn’t about worshipping God.

Travis points out that prayer consoles people. Lauren replies that there is hope to be found in acknowledging the truth of the universe and trying to “shape” God. Harry shouts: “Amen!” They have dinner, and Lauren reflects that it has been a good day. Harry has bought his own notebook to write in, and is helping with Zahra’s literacy lessons. Lauren even decides to tell Travis about Earthseed’s “Destiny.” Travis points out that Lauren’s God doesn’t give people the hope of heaven, but Lauren replies that Earthseed does promise heaven. She adds: “The Destiny of Earthseed is to take root among the stars.” She explains that Earthseed’s purpose is to colonize other planets. Travis says that she’s “crazy,” but seems intrigued. Lauren admits that it will be a long time before Earthseed could actually travel to space, but the task now is to begin preparations. Travis keeps listening and asking questions, which Lauren appreciates.

A week later, Lauren writes that she thinks Travis is her first convert, and Zahra is the second. Zahra isn’t interested in the outer space mission of Earthseed, but likes the idea of choosing a different way of life on Earth. Lauren thinks that she should begin keeping an eye out for new converts among the people walking north. The newly-formed community could then find a piece of land on which to live. The more people, the safer that community would be.