The Refuting of the Status Quo

            Throughout The Fifth Season N.K. Jemisin challenges the status quo that the most powerful and influential people are white males, by establishing female and non-white protagonists. Each of these characters establish their competence and power through supernatural events, while also coping with emotional trauma.

Alabaster is a dark-skinned man who helplessly witnesses the murder of his lover for being an orogene, at the hands of a guardian (289-290), an event that instils in him a distrust in guardians. As the highest ranking orogene, a ten-ringer, he is the most powerful person on the continent. He has so much power that he splits the continent as revealed in his confrontation with Essun where she exclaims, “You split the continent. You started this season. With the obelisks! You did…all of that” (448). Alabaster understands that in order to erect change, drastic measures sometimes need to be taken.

Essun is a woman who just lost her son, triggering a state of grief (1). However, she saves Tirimo by diverting an earthquake (11). Even though she knows that by redirecting the earthquake she will put herself in danger, by alerting the Comm that an orogene is living among them. She still stops the earthquake saving the people. Her pure power and selflessness in the face of tragedy refutes any sexist stereotypes.

Syenite is a teenager, who is constantly having here perceptions altered. Through her interactions with Alabaster she learns there is more to orogeny then what the guardians say, like how Alabaster and her share their power to stop seismic activity (128). She also has enough strength to channel the power of the obelisks enabling her to pass through the earth with the aid of a Stone Eater when attacked by a guardian (262). When thrust into immediate danger she saves herself and Alabaster, which challenges any sexist stereotypes that women are weak and incompetent.

Damaya is just a child in grade school when she discovers her powers and is taken away to the Fulcrum (39). She is naturally curious, to the point that she explores the entirety of the Fulcrum, even the places that are forbidden. She gets caught by the guardians and as punishment is has to take the first ring test immediately, whereas most orogenes are given time to prepare in advance (330). Damaya passes the first ring test without the normal months of preparation (331). She overcomes any obstacles, debunking any sexist or ageist stereotypes.

            N.K. Jemisin creates powerful diverse characters that challenge the ageist, racist, and sexist status quo by having Alabaster, a dark-skinned 10-ringer, Essun, a grieving mother, Syenite, a confused teenager, and Damaya, a curious child. All these characters refute common stereotypes through relatable and supernatural situations to attack the status quo proving that people of color and women are equal to white men.