Taylor Franklin Bankole Character Analysis in Parable of the Sower

Bankole is a 57-year-old African-American man who joins Lauren’s group on the road north. Trained as a medical doctor, he is a widower who is on his way to Mendocino, where he owns a 300-acre farm. Bankole’s sister, Alexandra, lives on the farm with her husband and children. Bankole is handsome, with a beard that reminds Lauren of Frederick Douglass. He and Lauren become lovers; although Bankole is disturbed by Lauren’s young age, they get along extremely well and discuss marrying. Bankole is devastated by the discovery that his sister and her family were likely killed on the farm; however, he is consoled by the founding of the new Earthseed community on his property.

Taylor Franklin Bankole Character Timeline in Parable of the Sower

The timeline below shows where the character Taylor Franklin Bankole appears in Parable of the Sower. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Writing, Books, and Scripture Theme Icon

...off her intelligence. The man walks alongside Lauren’s group and introduces himself as Taylor Franklin Bankole. (full context)

Lauren and Bankole discuss the fact that their relatives both changed their surnames to Yoruba names during the... (full context)

Creation, Destruction, and Rebirth Theme Icon

...been in more pain in her life. She opens her eyes to see Harry and Bankole staring at her with concern. Harry tells her that the group are all right, and... (full context)

...with the group and to help and support them. Lauren welcomes her. She talks to Bankole, and reflects that she likes him “too much” and needs to be cautious. Later that... (full context)

Lauren reaches for Bankole, but he is not there. She can’t see him, but lies still while the shooting... (full context)

...with Allie, telling the rest of the group that she will wake them at dawn. Bankole joins Lauren and they kiss. Lauren would like to have sex with him, but knows... (full context)

The little boy Bankole rescued is named Justin. Justin’s mother had been carrying his birth certificate, along with other... (full context)

...gun, Harry comes over and mentions that he knows about what’s happening between her and Bankole. Later, Lauren and Bankole split off from the group to spend time alone. Lauren tells... (full context)

Lauren tells Bankole that the “essentials” of Earthseed are learning to shape God, educating and supporting oneself and... (full context)

Lauren believes that Bankole secretly has a place to go up north, or enough money to buy property. She... (full context)

...writes that she has spent an entire day “talking, writing, reading, and making love to Bankole.” Jill and Allie have begun joining Zahra’s literacy lessons, and during the lesson the group... (full context)

...pass through Sacramento, and that night encounter a group of young teenagers eating human flesh. Bankole mentions to Lauren that he is heading to Mendocino, where his sister and her family... (full context)

Bankole insists that Lauren comes with him to Mendocino. Lauren responds that she wants to accompany... (full context)

...resistance among the group to the woman and child joining them; without thinking, Lauren mentions Bankole’s plot of land. Eventually they agree to take them, but Travis and Lauren stress that... (full context)

...and Doe were also debt slaves, based on their similarities to Emery and Tori. Unprompted, Bankole also remarks that there is something strange about Grayson. Bankole says it’s clear that Grayson... (full context)

...was dead. Lauren got up briefly, before collapsing when someone else was shot and killed. Bankole rushed over to her and pointed out that she was bleeding, something Lauren herself had... (full context)

...Lauren was also shot, but the bullet only grazed her, and Zahra assures her that Bankole won’t let it get infected. Zahra points out that there was “something funny” about Emery,... (full context)

...him as the group continues their walk. Later, Lauren discusses the incident with Emery and Bankole. Emery warns that the addicts will keep burning things until they use all the pyro... (full context)

...children would feel her pain if she let on. The adults put the children in Bankole’s cart and wrap wet fabric around their faces to avoid breathing in smoke. The hot... (full context)

...her about “the value of money.” The next time Lauren writes, the group has reached Bankole’s land. As Bankole promised, the property is very isolated. This is good for security, but... (full context)

The group have spent a week arguing over whether or not they should stay on Bankole’s land among the ashes. They have found five skulls, likely the bones of Alexandra and... (full context)

Harry says that there were no jobs in the local town when he and Bankole went to speak to the police; Lauren replies that it’s more likely that the townspeople... (full context)

Two days later, the group holds a funeral for Bankole’s dead family members. Natividad wraps the bones in a shawl she made years ago, a... (full context)

Bankole remarks that it’s a shame that Lauren is so young and didn’t get a chance... (full context)