In-Class Assessment: Bloodchild by Octavia Butler

1. What is your reaction to the text you just read?

While the Tlic alien race is very foreign and unsettling, I find the concept of alien races connecting on an emotional and physical level interesting, as well as disturbing. The Tlic are similar enough to “Terrans” where communication and emotional understanding is possible, but the entire continuation of their species depends on the compliance of a weaker race. It seems that the humans have been bred into compliance through force and/or manipulation, not to mention a seeming lack of other options. It is mentioned that the humans left their home planet due to discrimination, and had to stay on this new planet despite being afraid of the new creatures they faced. The concept of a complete societal manipulation makes me angry, much like the protagonist feels before he is guilted and subdued into compliance.

2. What connections did you make with the story you read? Discuss the elements of the work with which you were able to connect.

I could see allusions to slavery and racial discrimination within this short story. A foreign race of humans come upon an alien planet and are taken into custody to be used as host animals. The only reward the humans get in return is not having their entire species slaughtered. This could be compared to slavery on Earth where people’s bodies are taken as property to be used at the will of their captors. Some slave owners even attempted to treat their slaves “fairly”, much like how T’Gatoi gave Gan the “option” to choose whether him or his sister would be implanted. But it’s a false freedom in which the only option they are given is to comply or face death.

3. What changes would you make to adapt this story into another medium? What medium would you use? What changes would you make?

I could see this short story being successful as a graphic novel or animated short film. The visual element would aid in comparing and contrasting the human and alien race. The scenes are also pretty graphic which would convey the fear and submission efficiently. I’m not sure if I would change any plot element, because Octavia wrote the story the way she intended and I don’t feel it would be my place to alter that. If the medium required it, I may have to make creative changes to the portrayal of the Tlic and would have to assume the race of the protagonist and his family which may lead to implications Octavia didn’t intend, so it would require a lot of thought in regards to what the statement of the story really is.