Water is the most abundant source of life on this planet. Not only did the first living things emerge from its depths, but it also possesses the ability to keep all living things alive. As powerful as it is, water takes on a whole new meaning in Octavia E. Butler's Parable of the Sower. In this novel, Lauren Olamina's journal entries tell her story as she navigates, literally and figuratively, the world around her. The dystopian America that Lauren lives in is virtually devoid of a reliable water source, especially in Lauren's case, as she lives in Southern California, a region known for its long periods of drought. These circumstances highlight the symbolism of water in the novel. In Butler's Parable of the Sower, water represents wealth, life, and security. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay There are many instances in this novel where water is a symbol of wealth. The context of this story is one where the majority of the population is extremely poor. Because of this and the inflation of a failing economy, water has become an expensive necessity and clean drinking water a luxury. According to Lauren, “water now costs many times more than gasoline” and “is as good as money” (Butler 18, 201). Only those with money can drink water, and that water is not guaranteed unless it comes from a commercial water station. As a result, people who can afford water are considered wealthy and generally looked down upon. Lauren explains that “[you] are supposed to be dirty now. If you are clean, you make yourself a target” (18). To the poor and thirsty people around Lauren, if given the opportunity to clean themselves with water, they try to show how much better and richer they are than the people around them. Water is also a symbol of life. Heavy themes such as poverty, racism, and violence are prevalent in this novel. However, there are certain moments where levity and general liveliness can seep into the story, usually attached to scenes involving water. For example, when it starts to rain, after six years of rain, Lauren describes how she feels when the rain hits her skin: “It was so wonderful. How can [Cory] not understand that? It was so incredible and wonderful” (48). Lauren is characterized as a serious and intelligent girl, but in that moment, upon seeing the water in front of her house, she becomes a new person. Ignoring the consequences and disobeying her stepmother, Lauren stays outside until she gets drenched in dirty rainwater. These actions do not indicate someone who is trying her best to be considered an adult and survive in a dangerous world, they are the actions of a teenage girl who wants to enjoy her life. A similar event occurs later in the novel when Lauren, Harry and Zahra are on a beach. They're completely surrounded by potentially dangerous strangers in unfamiliar territory, but this is the first time any of them have seen the ocean, so once again Lauren ignores the consequences of her actions and actually lives her life. She and Zahra, not knowing how to swim, walked into the ocean and "threw water on each other...let the waves knock them over and laughed like crazy," Lauren says even that it was “the best time”. she’s had it since they left home” (206). These two scenes are instances where characters usually burdened by countless tragedies and traumas can enjoy their.