Afrofuturism: technology of surviving and creating new futuristic possibilities in Octavia Butler’s Lilith’s Brood trilogy

In Octavia Butler’s Lilith’s Brood (2007), the intersection of the protagonists with technology creates new possibilities for survival in a futuristic world. Through Lilith in Dawn, Akin in Adulthood Rights, and Jodahs in Imago, this trilogy demonstrates how technology can create a more inclusive and equitable future and challenge dominant narratives about race and identity. Furthermore, the novels embody the principles of Afrofuturism, which envisions a future where Black people exist outside oppressive systems. Butler’s Lilith’s Brood presents a hopeful alternative vision of the future where marginalised individuals and communities can prosper. By utilising Womack’s perspective of Afrofuturism, this study analyses Butler’s Lilith’s Brood, centring on the experiences and views of the characters while also considering the impact of technology and science on their future. Womack’s Afrofuturism approach is rooted in the idea that Black people have always existed in a state of futurity, as they have had to imagine and create their futures in a world that has systematically denied them the right to shape their destinies. Through this approach, Lilith’s Brood can be seen as a powerful commentary on the complexities of identity, power, and liberation and a compelling vision of the future. Overall, using Womack’s Afrofuturism to analyse Lilith’s Brood provides a nuanced and multifaceted understanding of Butler’s work. By examining the protagonists’ interaction with technology, readers can better appreciate the complexities of identity and power in a rapidly changing world.

Text 126786.pdf - Published Version Download (263kB) Official URL or Download Paper: https://jlc-fbmk.upm.edu.my/regular-issues/vol-12-...

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