Parable of the Sower: Chapter 15 Summary & Analysis

Harry has a concussion and sleeps most of the next day. Lauren is grateful for the distraction of looking after him and talking with Zahra, who periodically burst into tears over the loss of her little daughter. Zahra explains that she and Harry hadn’t really known each other before he saved her. Without thinking, Lauren mentions that Richard is dead, which she knows because she saw his body. Zahra breaks down again, and Lauren apologizes, feeling guilty about her bluntness. When Zahra stops crying, she explains to Lauren and Harry that Richard bought her from her mother when she was 15 and homeless. Although Richard’s other wives were cruel to her, Zahra at least had security and enough food to eat in the Moss house.

Lauren points out that if Harry goes to Olivar the Garfields will take him in, but Harry refuses, saying that there is no future there. Zahra says it would be better than starving. Lauren explains that she is going to head north, and Harry says he will do the same. Lauren then gently mentions that she saw the bodies of some of Harry’s relatives, including the little kids. Harry is in shock, but he does not cry.

A little while later, Zahra brings them some peaches, and Lauren gives her the clothes she’d taken for her family to wear. Zahra says she will be able to trade the younger boys’ shoes for some food. Harry and Lauren agree to travel together, and Lauren says she will pretend to be a man. Zahra sneers at this, saying that interracial couples always cause trouble in the outside world, whether they’re gay or straight. Lauren offers that if Zahra comes along, the two of them can pretend to be a couple, and Harry their friend. Zahra agrees and starts to then cry.

Harry expresses surprise at Lauren’s indifference over the fact that Zahra stole the peaches she brought them, considering Lauren’s Christian upbringing. This angers Lauren, who replies: “I mean to survive.” Zahra warns Harry and Lauren that they know little about how to survive in the outside world, but Lauren insists that she will learn by observation. The next day, Zahra takes them to a large, secure store complex, which is one of the safest places in the area. Each of the three go in separately while the others guard their belongings outside, and a security guard asks to see Lauren’s money before allowing her in. Lauren buys food, water purification tablets, and outdoor necessities such as sunblock. She also gets toilet paper, tampons, a new notebook, pens, ammunition for her gun, sleepsacks, and large, cheap-looking jackets.

After leaving the complex they walk up the freeway, eventually getting to the 101, which goes up the coast to Oregon. There are many other people walking alongside them, as well as “swarms” of bikes and the occasional truck or car. Most people carry weapons of some kind, and almost everyone is filthy and smelly. There are a few young men around who remind Lauren of Keith; she watches them warily. She keeps her gun loaded and half-hidden in its holster. Lauren knows she needs to tell Zahra and Harry about her hyperempathy, but wants to wait until they trust each other more.