In American history, it was the technological advances that allowed the white race to enslave the technologically uninlcined African people. However, the African people were notorious for having soul and a connection with nature and God. In an ironic twist, Patternmaster reverses this master/slave relationship. It is the technologically advanced who are subordinate to those who utilize the natural forces of the earth. Therefore, in the end, it is the mind that will conquer, as opposed to technology.
However, Octavia Butler threw in a third alternative: the Clayarks. They are a race infested with a disease that they wish to spread to all other inhabitants on the planet. Neither Mute nor Patternist is safe from the harm that this disease can inflict; thus, are all men made equal. Each of us humans is subject to the same threat of disease, the same threat of destruction.
It is difficult, and perhaps unjustified, to attempt a close parallel of racism in the novel and in our society today.  In the end, Butler's novel seems more a commitment to feminism than to racism.

The End of the Family Unit, the Dawn of the Information Highway

      Certainly there is a commentary within of the family structure, or lack of one, that we are headed towards in today's society. Marriage is failing more and more as an institution and men, like Rayal, could perhaps have children at the four corners of the earth with the rate of promiscuous sex today. The brothers are shipped off to school at an early age and their family becomes the teachers and households that they are involved with. Although probably not intended, it seems a parallel can be drawn between the Pattern and the Internet in today's society. With information being shared around the world in a matter of nanoseconds, humans are allowed the "privilege" of independence. There is no need for conversation around the table, or for family to live close together anymore. Although this may seem like a convenience, it comes with its pitfalls. Rayal now has two sons who are vying for a pattern. They are brothers only by blood and have no interest in nurturing a relationship between each other. Look for parallels to our information highway as you read about Butler's Pattern.


Why no movies?

What I am interested in is why has this book not been made into a feature film? It has all the makings of a great story. There is the classic Cane and Abel struggle between the brothers as to which one will inherit his father's legacy. There is the flight of Amber and Teray through dangerous territory where the monsters (the Clayarks) may attack at anytime. Then there is the love story that buds between Teray and Amber. Finally, there is the showdown between brothers as they fight to the death for the control of the Pattern. Also, the sci-fi film genre seems ripe for an African-American cast. Star Wars was so successful, why not Patternmaster?