Octavia Butler and Martha Bes: One in the Same

     My interpretation of the Book of Martha, one of the stories in
Butler's, "Bloodchild and Other Stories", reinforces the ideology that Martha was a characterization of Octavia Butler's own feelings
toward God and how she would react in his presence. It may also be analyzed as that Martha embodies the black community constant reliance of their faith of God. However, if a black individual were to be given the opportunity to meet with God, the mental stress would carry so much overwhelming confusion and fear that gaining understanding would be near impossible for every negro.


Its been said that the book itself was written to provide an outlet for Butler to channel her fears in to. Which she has done before. It was officially written in 1984, right after an american decade of racism and hate verses love and peace. In a time of major social polarity, Martha Bes was born.