Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

When you think of the word other, what comes to mind? How does Othering affect people and our society?

Teaching Suggestion: The concept of Othering is both prevalent and complex. Bringing in additional current events can help make this concept more concrete, which can lead to students accessing the novel more fully. Lilith experiences both sides of Othering, treated as different for being human and fearing the Oankali. The novel includes lengthy reflections, where Lilith reacts against her Othering of the Oankali. The Human Rights Museum resource includes some questions for reflection, which could lead to additional extensions of this topic for journal or discussion.

• This article from the Canadian Museum of Human Rights explores Othering, including its function in the Holocaust and the Rohingya Genocide.
• This article by AP News examines different groups who experience Othering in the United States and it relates to history.

Short Activity

The author is a Black woman, as is the main character of the novel. How familiar are you with Black women in history? In this Short Activity, you will conduct research to learn more about Black women who have changed the world.