Bankole and Lauren's Age Gap (?)

 Currently, in the story, everything is going really well. Lauren and her "tribe" picked up four more people, and Lauren and Bankole began a romance. They are also now all heading to Bankole's land to start an Earthseed community.

Bankole (fake casting)

When Bankole was first introduced into the story, I remembered Lauren feeling attracted to him- but she claimed it was familial. Due to Bankole's age, (57), I sort of assumed it was because Lauren lost her father. I do believe this plays a part in their relationship and Earthseed- a sort of "father" figure for both. 

However- then they slept together.

I just can't condone this- I just can't. I get it kind of- like the moral decay of society and then going back to tribal roots of humanity. But child brides????? I mean I understand eighteen is the age of consent and to marry but to a man who is 39 years above her? 

I really dislike how casually that was looked over: when Lauren tells Bankole her age, he reacts negatively. But then Lauren just says it doesn't matter, and he eventually relents. 

I guess my issue is, narratively, why not make the "father figure" character and the "romantic interest character" different people? Then there isn't the weird incest vibe. But as well, these relationships are not good and pedophellic. I understand she is "mature for her age" in Bankole's eyes, but that saying came off as creepy to me as I know girls who had grown men tell them that to hit on them when they were really young. 

But, perhaps all of this is intentional. Perhaps I am supposed to think this is creepy and weird and maybe Bankole will turn out to be a bad guy- what do you think about their relationship? Do you think the age gap is weird?


Comments

  1. L. MoffittMay 14, 2021 at 7:19 AM

    YES to the fake casting -- that's kind of how I pictured him. I'm glad you wrote about this; it's a very disturbing aspect of the book, and Butler has to know it would be. I wonder if she's purposely using Bankole to represent the "older" generation. Lauren was at odds with her father, but here she's with a father-figure and she is straightforward about what she believes and even tells him "you don't have to believe it but don't laugh at it."

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