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Thought Prompts, Workshop Topics, and Reading Questions on Octavia Butler's Dawn (1^st volume of her Xenogenesis series)

1. The first image that comes to Lilith's mind when she meets Jdahya her first Oankali is the Medusa. We have seen this figure before in science fiction in C. L. Moore's Shambleau. Compare the way these two writers make use of the myth of the Medusa to enrich and complexify their stories. Be precise in how the writers make use of Medusa qualities and human perception/reactions to them.

2. "I want to know the price of your people's help. What do you want of us?" (Butler 14) So Lilith asks -- and Jdahya answers "Not more than you can give --" . What is the price that emerges as the novel unfolds? Is the bargain "worth it." in Lilith's eyes; in yours? Would it have been better if the Oankali had chosen not to "interfere" in humankind's self-destruction? Why or why not?

3. Compare the price exacted by the Oankali and the price exacted by the Foretellers in Ursula K. LeGuin's Left Hand of Darkness and discuss what you see as the significance of these two central "bargains" in the two novels.

4. "We thought ... that there had been a consensus among you, that you had agreed to die?" (Butler 14) Is humankind suicidal in Butler's view. What are the two qualities that the Oankali identify as leading to self-destruction on the the part of humans? How do the actions of the awakened humans at the end of the novel support or contradict the Oankali's analysis?

5. "I can't not see" (Butler 16) So Jdahya tells Lilith. The Oankali see from all over their body and they can't turn off visual input. Lilith finds this a horrifying concept. What would be the impact of always "seeing." How would this change humanity if this were one of the genetic traits transferred to the children of humans and Oankali?

6. "Humans need one another." (Butler 17) Is Lilith's contention true? Respond in terms of the human behavior we witness in the novel. Cite specific examples and pages.

7. Lilith is told that she has a "talent for cancer." Explain the significance of this startling term according to the novel. Cite specific quotes and examples indicating page numbers.

8. When Lilith learns about some of the modifications that have been made in her body -- and in the body of other humans, she compares this to human's treatment of animals. "We used to treat animals that way,..." "We did things to them--inoculations, surgery, isolation all for their own good. We wanted them healthy and protected -- sometimes so we could eat them later." (Butler 31) Is Butler using this comparison to capture how vulnerable the humans are in this encounter with the Oankali (are they pets? food? experimental subjects? slaves?) or is she asking us to consider our relationship with animals by using the "see how it feels" approach. Give specific evidence from the novel for whichever answer you choose. (You can argue for both if you believe that is warranted).

9. Describe the Oankali ship as fully as you can based on the things Lilith learns and observes about it in the course of the novel. Be specific and give citations.

10. Lilith is denied access to reading and to writing. Why is it so important to her to have this access? Why do the Oankali decline? Discuss with specific references to the novel.

11. How successful do you think the first group of transplanted humans will be. Give your evidence specifically.