Dominance or Not: Karmas a ...

Chris Gorham
Seminar Eng/Comp.
Dr. Adam Johns
29 October 2008

Dominance or Not: Karmas a ...

For as long as mankind has existed, humans have fed on things that were more or less helpless to their power. Humans hunted and they were fed. Humans tested and they were informed. Even today humans utilize animals for the most part to test things as trivial as various shades of makeup. In the long run, these actions on those beneath us yield no consequence mainly because we are the dominant species and see our actions only as a way of life. Octavia Butler introduces a new scenario in which humans are no longer dominant. It brings upon an important question of whether or not the will of a non dominant species should mean anything, or is their existence only to suit the progression of a dominant species. Lilith’s experiences show that the non-dominant species existence should not revolve around the progression or continuance of a more dominant species even despite barriers such as communication or general appearance.

In our society today we see animals as a sub species to us. Wild animals we hunt either for food or for pure fun. House pets are treated differently of course, but still as a sub species. Many times they are caged and given only the necessary food and water to survive. In Lilith’s Brood, the human captives are treated much like animals. This is especially evident at the beginning of the book when Lilith is held captive with an isolation room acting like a cage. She is given only the necessities to live; food, water, a running faucet, and clothes on an eventual basis. Lilith even takes the mindset of an animal in a zoo by retreating into the isolation room when Jdyaha first enters showing that her cage has become a safe haven. Lilith, while captive in this room is full of despair, frustration and anger, sometimes even approaching insanity. Other humans reach this point of insanity leading them to self injury and suicide at worse. To think that humans do the same thing to animals beneath us brings upon a huge moral dilemma. How is it fair that we treat animals this way simply because they cannot communicate with them for them to tell us that they are feeling the same way as Lilith did in captivity.

Not only do humans abuse animals with captivity, they also abuse them with testing. Humans have continued to utilize animals for various physiological and psychological testing. We stray from doing this to our own kind because we feel that the non dominant species is less important and thus are perfect for the job of being a lab rat. They help us in progressing our technology and understanding of nature. As is true in Lilith’s Brood, Lilith and the other humans are the lab rats for the Oankali. The Oankali have already used humans to use cancer as a resource as well as capturing their genetic identity. They plan to use the humans to enhance and continue the existence of themselves by creating a new species, derived from the humans. The existence of this breeding is already existent when Paul Titus reveals that he has over 70 children and that many of the females have been altered to bear the first generation of this new species. It is very similar to how humans breed, cross breed, and now clone animals for testing. Our interest in genetics comes at the expense of the animals, not us. Similarly, the tests Oankalis have performed on the humans yield them no consequences. The trade the Oankali speak of is more a ploy on a less dominant species to further its own progression. They lack concern in the welfare of humans, and more in the welfare of their own species.

Possibly it is karma to humans that the events in Lilith’s Brood are happening. None the less, it can be agreed upon that the way the humans are treated is unjust. If they do not go insane while in captivity, they are expected to cooperate with the Oankali for the progression of the Oankali species only because they are now the less dominant species. Humans continue to do the same thing to those non dominant species that reside on Earth. We continue with the testing, the caging and even the killing. Why is it right that a dominant species can treat those lesser than it this way? Ultimately, there is no reason. Yes, there are communication barriers between the Oankali and the humans as well as humans and animals. This does not grant the right to the dominant species, however, to treat those beneath it with such a domineering presence. The golden rule known to all Catholics is treat as you would want to be treated. Mankind has misinterpreted this rule by applying it only to its fellow species. Instead we should treat those species below us with the same care we would treat our brother or sister. It is inhumane to think that someone or something should be treated any other way. The power of the dominant species should not be abused for self progression rather utilized to promote fairness and equality among all the inhabitants of one specific place.