Speech Sounds - Afterword

Afterword

Rye's finding the healthy children and decision to become their guardian is an indication not only of renewed hope for humanity and hope for Rye as well, but also serves as closure for Octavia Butler in dealing with the terminal illness of a friend. She writes in the afterword to the story, "'Speech Sounds' was conceived in weariness, depression, and sorrow. I began the story feeling little hope or liking for the human species, but by the time I reached the end of it, my hope had come back" (p. 109).