Parable of the Talents

Lauren Olamina is the novel’s protagonist and narrates significant text sections via her journals and writings. Lauren’s actions propel much of the plot, as she develops the community of Acorn, helps her followers survive imprisonment and enslavement, and then spreads the teachings of Earthseed and ultimately achieves the goal of sending community members to space. Lauren is Black, and during the main plot narrative spanning the period between 2032 and 2035, she is a young woman. Her race, gender, and age make her vulnerable, but Lauren also has several advantages that help her to succeed and thrive as not only an individual but also the leader of a community.

She is extremely intelligent and articulate and is also charismatic and good at influencing and persuading people; Len observes that “You’re good at talking to people […]. They like you. Hell, they trust you” (358). Lauren is pragmatic, goal-oriented, and calm during moments of crisis, all of which are extremely valuable traits for someone living in the context of violence and upheaval. Physically, it is noted several times that Lauren is tall and strong, which allows her to physically defend herself when necessary, perform manual labor, and also disguise herself as a man at times when assuming a different gender can help her to stay safe: “I’m big and plain.