Adulthood Rites

“Things touched him when this sound was made. He was given comfort or food, or he was held and taught. Body to body understanding was given to him. He came to perceive himself as himself—individual, defined, separate from all the touches and smells, all the tastes, sights, and sounds that came to him. He was Akin.”

This quote introduces Akin and provides insight into the ways both Oankali and humans experience the world. It draws parallels between Oankali and human experiences through the microcosm of how infants perceive the world—through tactile sensations and direct experiences. Butler intertwines the language and form of both human and Oankali experiences, suggesting a shared essence in the early stages of life and, by extension, a commonality in the broader experience of existence.

“It’s a human thing. Most humans lose access to old memories as they acquire new ones. They know how to speak, for instance, but they don’t recall learning to speak.”

Nikanj reflects on Tino’s curious attraction despite his lack of memory of their previous encounter. This observation is an early exploration of the distinctions between humans and Oankali. It initiates an examination of human experiences from an alien perspective, reconsidering aspects of the human condition that may seem intrinsic but appear peculiar when viewed through the lens of something literally alien.

“If you knew a man was out of his mind, you restrained him. You didn’t give him power.”

This quote is from Tino’s perspective, a rare narrative shift away from Akin. Tino reflects on the devastating nuclear war on Earth, contemplating the unfathomable motivation behind such a catastrophic event. He grapples with the incomprehensibility of how humans collectively contributed to the planet’s destruction. Tino’s thoughts also touch on power dynamics, questioning how individuals who are evidently “out of their mind” could gain such influence, as witnessed in the context of the nuclear war. This reflection on the unraveling of humanity and the consequences of wielding power follows the human community throughout the novel, manifesting in Violence and Human Hierarchy.

“‘Human beings fear difference,’ Lilith had told him once. ‘Oankali crave difference. Humans persecute their different ones, yet they need them to give themselves definition and status. Oankali seek difference and collect it. They need it to keep themselves from stagnation and overspecialization. If you don’t understand this, you will. You’ll probably find both tendencies surfacing in your own behavior.’”

Lilith highlights the human tendency to fear difference, emphasizing a pervasive discomfort with what is unfamiliar or divergent. This contrasts with the Oankali, who not only embrace but also actively crave difference. Lilith points out the paradox in human behavior—the simultaneous persecution of those who are different and the dependence on them for defining societal norms and individual status. This quote showcases Lilith’s perspective on humans and hints at the potential consequences of their aversion to difference. It foreshadows the likelihood that their resistance to embracing Akin’s alien attributes will become a pivotal challenge, leading to distrust and complicating his proposal for a Mars settlement, ultimately contributing to their downfall.

“Tate herself was fascinating–very unlike Lilith, unlike Joseph. She was somewhat like Leah and Wray, but not truly like anyone he had tasted. There was something truly strange about her, something wrong.”

In examining Tate, Akin wrestles with the complexities inherent in her humanness. Tate stands out due to her unique blend of compassion and frustration, presenting a mystery to Akin, who, as an Oankali, is accustomed to easily understanding humans through taste. Tate becomes a symbol of the undiscovered facets of humanity, representing a side that Akin has yet to unravel. As Akin immerses himself in human culture by living among people, Tate becomes a focal point for exploring the depth and intricacies of humanity that go beyond mere surface understanding.

“‘I didn’t want to scare you. We don’t want to scare anyone.’ ‘No? Well, sometimes it’s a good thing to scare people. Sometimes fear is all that will keep them from doing stupid things.’”

This quote captures a tender exchange between Akin and Tate, in which Akin expresses his reluctance to frighten Tate with the potential consequences of cutting off the tentacles of the captured Oankali girls, Amma and Shkaht. This unveils a distinctly human perspective. Tate’s response, asserting that fear often prevents people from engaging in “stupid things,” underlines the human inclination to be motivated and guided by fear. This contrast in perspectives highlights the fundamental differences between Oankali and human approaches and suggests that fear is a significant driving force in human behavior.

“If you don’t care about my people, why should I care about yours?”

Later in Akin and Tate’s conversation, Akin confronts her for not helping him escape and return home to Lo. His emotional plea highlights the personal toll of being separated from his family. This moment challenges the ideals of the human resisters, turning their argument inward. Akin’s frustration underscores the resisters’ preoccupation with their own world and individual concerns, shedding light on their reluctance or inability to consider perspectives beyond their immediate struggles. The narrative prompts reflection on the limitations of human-centric thinking.

“That’s what Humans are, too, don’t forget. People who poison each other, then disclaim all responsibility.”

Gabe, speaking with Akin, implies an awareness among humans of their inherent flaws. It highlights the destructive tendencies of humanity, foreshadowing characters like Neci, who exhibits destructive behavior such as wanting to mutilate children and committing arson. Gabe hints at the cyclical and ingrained nature of this behavior, yet paradoxically, in his other actions, he still desires the capacity for self-governance.

“He was Oankali enough to be listened to by other Oankali and Human enough to know that resister Humans were being treated with cruelty and condescension.”

This quote encapsulates Akin’s unique position as a hybrid, embodying both Oankali and human qualities. It showcases the advantage he gains from straddling both worlds, enabling him to communicate effectively with both Oankali and humans. However, it also implies a potential burden; Akin exists in a perpetual state of neither belonging to the human nor the Oankali world, a liminal space that carries its own challenges and complexities.

“What he and Gabe were doing was what the Oankali always did—collect life, travel and collect and integrate new life into their ships, their already vast collection of living things, and themselves.”

Butler suggests a parallel between Gabe—and thus humanity’s actions—and the behavior of the Oankali. The core practice of gathering and assimilating diverse information into a collection is not exclusive to the Oankali but exists, though in a different way, in humanity. In this way, Akin begins to see humanity not as inherently worse than the Oankali but as simply different.

“Even before we arrived, they had bacteria living in their intestines and protecting them from other bacteria that would hurt or kill them. They could not exist without symbiotic relationships with other creatures. Yet such relationships frighten them.”

Nikanj examines the concept of symbiotic relationships from the Oankali perspective, portraying their role as beneficial entities akin to helpful bacteria safeguarding humans from other potential threats. This idea introduces the paradox that humans may fear the very entities that ensure their safety. However, it also raises the possibility of condescension, as Dichaan suggests in the subsequent dialogue.

“Sometimes it seemed to Akin that his world was made up of tight units of people who treated him kindly or coldly as they chose, but who could not let him in, no matter how much they might want to.”

Having immersed himself in human society and subsequently returned to his Oankali family, Akin experiences a profound sense of displacement. This quote captures the essence of his inner turmoil as he realizes that he no longer fits seamlessly into either world. Despite his attempts to connect with the humans and his Oankali kin, Akin’s dual nature renders him an outsider in both communities. Akin’s struggle with identity is an exploration of the challenges and complexities inherent in navigating the intersections of two distinct worlds.

“Is a pea cut in half one wounded thing or two?”

Tiikuchahk and Akin’s relationship, intentionally sacrificed by the Oankali for a perceived greater purpose, is explored in the metaphor of a pea cut in half. This quote invites scrutiny of that decision, metaphorically representing isolation from one’s community. Separation from the broader collective inflicts wounds on both, highlighting the consequences of such disconnections.

“The Human Contradiction again. The Contradiction, it was more often called among Oankali. Intelligence and hierarchical behavior. It was fascinating, seductive, and lethal. It had brought Humans to their final war.”

This quote discusses the Oankali perspective on the human “Contradiction,” emphasizing the paradox of human intelligence and destructive hierarchical tendencies. According to the Oankali, this contradiction played a pivotal role in triggering the destructive nuclear war that led to humanity’s downfall, prompting the Oankali intervention. This concept raises questions about contemporary human society, prompting reflection on whether hierarchical tendencies inherently lead to destruction or if there is potential for a different outcome.

 “They slowly became alien to him, became ugly, became almost frightening.”

Akin’s return to the Oankali after his time in human society leaves him feeling adrift, struggling with uncertainties about his allegiances and where he fits in the world. The transformative experience in the human world has altered not only his self-perception but also his feelings about the Oankali. He begins to see his parents and siblings through the human perspective, leading to confusion, revulsion, and a sense of depression. This phase in Akin’s journey illustrates the complexity and internal conflict within his identity as he navigates his dual heritage.

“You controlled both animals and people by controlling their reproduction—controlling it absolutely.”

In questioning his place in the Oankali world, Akin reevaluates the actions of his kind. Immersed in the community of human resisters, Akin’s perspectives on the longstanding conflict between humans and Oankali become increasingly nuanced. The quote captures Akin’s challenge to the Oankali practice of controlling reproduction, raising questions about the ethics of one species exerting control over another. Akin’s critique emphasizes the broader theme of autonomy and self-determination, as Oankali reproductive influence leaves humanity subjugated, unable to shape its own destiny through the natural course of childbirth.

“‘Humans are freer to decide what they want,’ he said softly. ‘They only think they are,’ Dehkiaht replied.”

Akin finds himself entangled in an identity crisis and experiences deep empathy for the humans. The quote reveals a hint of envy as he contemplates the perceived looseness and freedom of human destinies, contrasting with the symbiotic and collective society of the Oankali. However, the ooloi, Dehkiaht, challenges this perspective, asserting that the freedom Akin sees is merely an illusion. This exchange prompts an exploration of the nature of personal freedom within humanity and the true essence of destiny.

“All people who know what it is to end should be allowed to continue if they can continue.”

Spoken by Akin’s Akjai teacher, this quote explores the concept of personal freedom. The Akjai asserts that if he were human, he would align with the resisters. This alignment is grounded in the Akjai’s understanding of endings and the grief that accompanies the conclusion of something significant. The Akjai advocates for the right to self-preservation, suggesting that those who comprehend the profound impact of an ending should be granted the freedom to resist.

“He had been abandoned to the resisters when they took him so that he could learn them as no adult could, as no Oankali-born construct could, as no construct who did not look quite Human could. Everyone knew the resisters’ bodies, but no one knew their thinking as Akin did. No one except other Humans. And they had not been allowed to convince Oankali to do the profoundly immoral, antilife thing that Akin had decided must be done.”

This marks a pivotal moment for Akin, signifying his understanding of the nature of his journey. Akin realizes that he is destined to be the savior and representative of the human race, a unique individual with the potential to convince the Oankali to act against their beliefs for the sake of humanity. This revelation positions Akin as a messianic figure for humans, emphasizing the complexity of his role and the weight of his mission in the narrative.

“I’m Akjai. How can I deny another people the security of an Akjai group? Even though for this people it’s a cruelty. Understand that, Akin; it is a cruelty. You and those who help you will give them the tools to create a civilization that will destroy itself as certainly as the pull of gravity will keep their new world in orbit around its sun.”

This quote delves into the paradoxical nature of saving humanity, acknowledging that the act of preservation can also be destructive. It reflects Butler’s social criticism that asks whether humanity is intrinsically inclined toward self-destructive behaviors. The Akjai’s belief in allowing humans the right to their own “Akjai group” despite conflicting with the Oankali’s moral system complicates the ethical dilemmas presented in the narrative. It highlights the tension between preserving human autonomy and adhering to the Oankali’s interventionist approach.

“Oankali males and females avoided healing not only because they were not needed as healers but because they were more likely than ooloi to kill by accident. They could be driven to kill unintentionally by interruptions and even by their subjects if things went wrong. Even Gabe should have been in danger. Akin should have struck at him blindly, reflectively. Yet he did not.”

When Gabe interrupts Akin’s attempt to heal Tate, the expected response from a non-ooloi Oankali would be violence or even lethal force. However, Akin refrains from violence naturally and instead initiates his metamorphosis, signifying his unique blend of human and Oankali characteristics. This deviation from biological instinct suggests that Akin possesses a capacity for empathy and free will that transcends his genetic predispositions. This contributes to broader themes exploring the interplay between biology and conscious choice, emphasizing the complexity of Akin’s identity and the potential for individuals to defy their innate programming.

“He thought about that for a moment, wondered what he should say. The truth or nothing. The truth. ‘Yori, Human purpose isn’t what you say it is or what I say it is. It’s what your biology says it is–what your genes say it is.”

In this dialogue with Yori, the human doctor in Phoenix, Akin explores the idea of human purpose, especially in the context of establishing a human settlement on Mars. The quote explores the nature of human purpose. Akin challenges more emotional notions, suggesting that the human purpose is not purely derived from conscious thought but is deeply intertwined with instinct and biology.

“Akin slept and knew only peripherally that Gabe came in to sit with him. The man spoke to him for the first time, but he did not awaken to answer. ‘I’m sorry,’ Gabe said once he was certain Akin was asleep. He did not repeat the words or explain them.”

This marks a transformation in Gabe’s character as he extends an apology to Akin and begins to exhibit sympathy for his metamorphosis. Despite oscillating in his attitude toward Akin and often viewing Akin’s alien features negatively, his actions take a significant turn here. Notably, he rescues Akin from the fire and allows him to use his Oankali abilities to heal his burns. This moment signifies a newfound understanding and acceptance of Akin’s hybrid nature.