Stylistic Techniques and Ethical Staging in Octavia Butler's 'Speech Sounds'

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Summary

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In this article by Sandrin Sorlin, she makes many inferences on Octavia Butler's "Speech Sounds." In particular the style and whether the story took any ethical forms. Sorlin like Maria Troy practice the same idea that when you take language away from humanity you lose the civilized way to live. Sorlin mentioned that gestures are most misunderstood and can trigger a fight really quick. That is exactly what took place in the story, people misunderstood gestures and it took a big turn around when it came to understanding someone's need. 

Loss of words

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Summary

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In this article about Octavia Butler's "Speech Sounds" you get a much better understanding of the story. Maria Troy thoroughly explains each significant event. She also makes statements saying how although this story is science fiction it is not considered "hard" science fiction. Also that it is classroom friendly where it can be argued and discussed. Troy mentioned how if people lose the ability to communicate, then the people are only left with only their most precious abilities. These abilities can affect one another because people get jealous. Jealousy has a big role into this story because people try to kill others that have better abilities. Also Troy discusses about the death of Obsidian. She blames  Rye in such a way due to the lack of communication Obsidian was murdered. If Rye was able to speak and say that the women shot was dead then he wouldn’t have gone to check on her. Therefore Obsidian wouldn’t of let down his guard. 

Speech Sounds

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Summary

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In the story Speech Sounds everyone forgets how to communicate. There's no language that cant be spoken. people do not know how to function. There are cars and buses but only a few people know how to drive. Rye lost her family to this "disease" she want to take a journey to find her brother. While she's on the bus something dangerous happened where Rye was forced to give off a gesture.

Near of Kim

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Summary

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Near of Kim is about a girl who basically grew up without her mother. Recently she is talking to her uncle about her passed mother who lacked responsibility.

Quotes

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1.) "I don't care what happens to anything in this apartment. I don't care!"

Crossover

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Summary

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In this story, a women named Jane worked at a factory but was known to be not so good looking. She has a significant other in her life who tends to make her more mad than happy. Jane walks to a liquor store and is confronted by many young teenagers, she's known to be a prostitute.

Quotes

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1) "Get out of here. Leave me alone! Leave me alone!

Amnesty

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Summary

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In this story, there is people who are committing sins and Aliens came to take over the the society. Noah realized that the aliens were being nicer to humans than how human were treating each other. Eventually the humans tried to nuke the aliens but the missiles did not work. By this time the Humans lost the war and now the aliens have half the missiles that the humans tried to use. Noah now realizes she will have to compromise with the aliens in order to keep the thin line between in control.

Quotes

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1.)"The governments of this world have a great deal to answer for."

2.)"Let me tell you all about my experience working with the government to get the better of communities."

3.)"They come to our world and we have to learn their language."

Book of Martha

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Summary

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Is this story you have a women who is not accepted by her society because of what she displays. Martha the narrator has many takes on god. Picturing him as black or as a women. Martha has one girl and moved to Cape Town once her family were able to get the money. In the story Martha made a inference on how if people can pick their dreams they would not bother reading any more.

Quotes

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1.) "Can the dreams teach-or at least promote-more thoughtfulness when people are awake, promote more concern for real consequences?"

2.) "Yes, I've done both/ although before literacy, all I had to do was divide them physically."

3,) "Too many people. If we solve that one, we'll have more time to solve other problems."

The Evening and The Morning and The Night

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Summary

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In this story there a disease called DGD. Now you can only get it when at least one of your parents have it. This disease like all is very dangerous. It can make you commit suicide and even mutilate other people surrounding you. The interesting part is that there's a difference between men and women. In this story women have the upper hand because they have a better time controlling the disease. Both men and women can get help but women have a better chance in doing a little better than men. Lynn is lucky because she inherited the disease from both parents. This means she a lot of power to control herself. Although she is lucky, she is also unlucky. She can reproduce only if she wants her child to also carry the disease.

Quotes

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1.) "That door looks like a wall to great many people."

2.) "Study medicine. You may be able to do a great deal of good."

3.) "The man who created that lock is nobody in particular."

Octavia E. Butler's Biography

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Octavia Butler was born on June 22nd, 1947 in California. Butler's father, Laurice James Butler was a shoe shiner. Her mother Octavia Margaret Guy was a house maid. Unfortunately, Laurice died when Butler was only seven years old. This left Butler stranded with her mother and grandmother. Butler at a very young age found her place in the society really quick. She was a minority who knew her place. She would witness segregation following her mother to work. She was spoken to with much disrespect by white men. This white supremacy just taught her exactly what type of world she was living in. As white families discarded old books, Margaret would bring them home to Octavia to read. Butler had a rough childhood. She was't socially aware of her surroundings. She was shy and awkward with other children. She was bullied in school for looking different, she reached about six feet tall which made her stand out. She was suffering from dyslexia which made focusing on school a challenge. When Butler turned 10 she begged her mother for a type writer. It was not until age 12 after watching the televised version of "Devil Girl from Mars'' she realized she could write a better story. Age 13 is when Butler was told by a family member said "Honey...Negroes can't be writers." But that did not stop her from what she really wanted to pursue. Not too long after is when she made an article and asked her science teacher to type her first manuscript to submit to science fiction magazine. Butler's mother wanted her to work a desk job with a steady income. But, Butler refused. She worked many temporary jobs and made sure she has time during midnight to practice writing.

Source: Wikipedia contributors. "Octavia E. Butler." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 11 Mar. 2016. Web. 22 Mar. 2016.

Bloodchild

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Summary

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Bloodchild is full of surprises. If you enjoy books that make you cringe or make you feel nauseous, this is the right story for you. There is the ordinary people then there is the aliens. The Aliens are in full control of all humans. Not only physically but emotionally. Humans have no choice but to follow order of these aliens. These aliens are not just funny looking. They are actually smart but also ugly. With multiple limbs attached to their body there also very creepy looking creatures. These aliens have bad intentions for humans. Although it may look like aliens are helping the humans it does not make a lot of sense. Because humans are living behalf of the aliens they must pay a big part of their lives. Men give themselves up for a place to live. In this story men are impregnated by aliens against their will.

Quotes

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1.) T'Gatoi said "Why are in such a hurry to be old?"

2.) "I could not watch yo sitting and suffering any longer."

3.) "Yes. Tomorrow you will resume your suffering- if you must. But just now, just for now, lie here and warm me and let me ease your way a little."

Citation Practice

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Octavia Butler was shy as a child. [1]

[2]

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References

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  1. ^ Kit, Zorianna. "Hitting The Books." People 61.15 (2004): 53. Academic Search Complete. Web. 14 Mar. 2016.
  2. ^ Butler, Octavia E. "Positive Obsession." Bloodchild and Other Stories. New York : Seven Stories, 2005. 123-136.
  3. ^ Fox, Margalit (2006-03-01). "Octavia E. Butler, Science Fiction Writer, Dies at 58". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-03-14.