Losing Humanity in the Post-Apocalyptic World of Octavia E. Butler's Dawn

Abstract

I explore the various meanings of humanity in Octavia E. Butler's novel, Dawn. After carefully analyzing external and internal factors that might pose as a threat to the human group aboard the spaceship, I contextualize all of these to see how they affect the humans emotionally and/or physically. My thesis introduces the differences between the two species, giving an in-depth introduction to terms; such as cross-breeding, transhumanism, humanity, and sexuality.