Bloodchild by Octavia E. Butler | Authorial Intent vs. Audience Interpretation
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ต.ค. 2024
- Is Bloodchild a story about slavery or an examination of a symbiotic, loving relationship between different species? *In this essay*, I will explore authorial intent and audience interpretation of this amazing short story.
BOOKS MENTIONED
Bloodchild by Octavia E. Butler
Axiom's End by Lindsay Ellis
Call Me By Your Name by Andre Acimon
FILMS MENTIONED
The Shape of Water
Call Me By Your Name
Twilight
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The ending of this story disturbed me more than any other part. It felt a victim of abuse choosing to stay with their partner out of pure codependence. There are stong elements of grooming and lack of control that really make me feel like Gan should have taken the more drastic choice, but then he'd just be leaving his family hurt and confused and still stuck in their station. Really makes me feel for the mother on subsequent reads.
I don't think the save the baby or the mom analogy really works for this story because the whole gist of the tlic and terran relationship is the fact that they are from two different species, so the question should rather be save the baby or save your dog (in a scenario of a burning building for instance), where just like the tlic, 99,9% of human beings would rather save their own child (same species) over their dog (different species) ... that's also the reason why I didn't see this as a story of slavery, human beings don't see animals as their slaves ... slavery seems to be something that's only applicable intra-species. As a human reader it's natural to sympathise with Gan but in the context of the story, the terrans are literally seen by the Tlic as we see animals: dependent on the good will of the Tlic and inferior.
That's why I had a hard time seeing their relationship as consensual (loving, sure, but consensual? not so much) because the power imbalance was too big for me, there's no scenario in which I could see it bridged ... At the end of the story, Gan is left no choice by T'Gatoi: if he kills himself, she will r*pe his sister (T'Gatoi says that she has to lay her eggs that night, so whether or not Gan's sister consents, she would undergo the procedure that night^^), so I don't really see how his acceptance of letting her impregnante him can be seen as consensual ... I wish the story would've been longer and Octavia would've explored the world and their relationship more. I really didn't "get" the shift in Gan's feelings ... it felt very rushed how quickly he came to accept T'Gatoi and his impregnantion minutes after being on the verge of killing himself etc.
But it's a brilliant short story that's very provoking but to me, it was neither the stroy of slavery nor of love... for me, it was more about what happens when human beings are put in a context with no way out whatsoever where they are the inferior species.
Hold up now 🤯 whether it was because I was sympathizing with Gan or because I couldn't imagine a context where humans are truly inferior - your dog/human analogy never crossed my mind. It makes total sense to me, in regards to why the relationship shouldn't be viewed as consensual. I love my cat, but I definitely have all of the power in the relationship and I also would choose a human child over him. However, it does make me wonder about how we (humans) define abuse. It is totally legal for humans to make horses or dogs breed with each other, but bestiality is illegal. As a culture, we've drawn a line on inter-species intercourse but I don't know if that is on behalf of the animal or for another reason. Yet, continuing with the pet analogy, the Tlic clearly don't have those concerns or see what they do as "abusive". Maybe that's because it's literally the only way they could have children and they don't see four legged mammals and two legged mammals as that different? There's so much to unpack!
In regards to your definition of slavery, I agree that in our animal kingdom, slavery is a uniquely human concept. However, it's hard for me to imagine an alien species coming to our planet, colonizing/enslaving us, and us using a different term to describe it because they are not human. Not sure if that's what you were suggesting or if you just disagree with the idea that Bloodchild is an allegory for slavery, but I think it's a fascinating concept either way.
Also, I don't know if you've gotten the chance to read Amnesty yet, but that story actually messed me up more than Bloodchild - even though Bloodchild is more gruesome. Can't wait to hear your thoughts on that!
The humans have guns however and are banned from riding motor vehicles either to keep them in the preserve or possibly because they can be used as a weapon as well. The dog who’s a pet is not in the same position as the dog doesn’t have a gun and once they’re out of your house they can practically live on their own without being a danger to other humans. The humans on that planet however killed tlic upon arriving. They are colonizers who’re outnumbered and have no political power anymore.
this is such a wonderful discussion. I read this story last year and I remember feeling deeply unsettled. The descriptions of the impregnation and the eggs was, well, alien.
I appreciated your thoughts on Call Me By Your Name a lot-while it is rare in its portrayal of a gay relationship in which there is no overt fear or violence against the characters, there is a power dynamic that can’t be dismissed.
Octavia E Butler is so incredible and she doesn’t get enough credit imo so thanks for making this video
Also Butler does tackle slavery in a very explicit way in her novel Kindred so for her to say that this story was not meant to be a depiction of slavery/rape but one of male pregnancy is even more significant. Kindred was heralded by many scholars as a very realistic picture of slavery both historically and psychologically. Which is to say, Butler is familiar with the subject (though now that I write this comment I don’t actually know whether Bloodchild came out before or after Kindred)
I saw this quote from her that I loved where she basically said "When I'm writing about slavery, I'll tell you" lol Kindred is one of the best books I've ever read, but I haven't done a video on it yet since I feel like I'm still not ready to talk about it!
This is a fantastic discussion of this story! I've always been really unsettled by Bloodchild and unsure of how to read it. After watching your reading, I think one of the things that's really genius about this story is how it collapses not only gender roles but gender hierarchies. Butler relocates so many of the assumptions about human motherhood and the expected sacrifice that mothers are supposed to make onto the men who are impregnated, and challenges us to reexamine what it means to love and live within unequal power dynamics. Which is something that people with ovaries have historically faced in human cultures for a long time.
Thank you for this!
Octavia Butler: It is basically a love story. There are many different kinds of love in it: family love, physical love . . . The alien needs the boy for procreation, and she makes it easier on him by showing him affection and earning his in return. After all, she is going to have her children with him.
Stephen Potts: In fact, she will impregnate him.
OB: Right. But so many critics have read this as a story about slavery, probably just because I am black.
SP: I was going to ask you later about the extent to which your work addresses slavery.
OB: The only places I am writing about slavery is where I actually say so.
Fascinating ideas, Bloodchild was the first of Octavia Butler's works I read. She is a fantastic writer. Gan and T'Gatoi have such an imaginative relationship.
Whew.... This is not a story I have read and I’mnot sure I’m entirely sorry. The idea of bearing larvae gives me the creeps to start out with and all the ethical conundrums are stressing me out.🤓 Butler was a genius. Whatever her intent in this story she created a story that forces readers to think about difficult questions.
I hear you! Butler said that writing it helped her overcome her fear of botflies so I'm sure she'd agree with you on the "creep" factor
I will be reading this story (the entire collection in fact :D) this month and then I can't wait to come back to your video!!! I am intrigued!
The whole collection is excellent! Amnesty sent me into a philosophical spiral, so I can't wait to hear what you think
Hi Shey, new subscriber here. I love how articulate you are, and the pace and your voice are super soothing! Just wanna express my gratitude.❤ also, can you share how you can speak so eloquently please? I am fascinated by how familiar with the story you are and can do this long video with ONE TAKE! How many times have you read the story? Or you are just born with this talent of super memory
Thank you!! I had read the story twice when I filmed this. I also did multiple takes and chose the one I liked best. In my professional life, I do a fair amount of public speaking, so I think those skills translate to videos. Although a live audience and a camera feel completely different!
its also v interesting when you realize that this story was written during her time doing research in brazil for the xenogenisis trilogy
Exactly! I think it's fascinating that she wrote such a scary story as a way to process her fear.
You brought up so many good points in this video, made me think even more deeply about the story! Nice discussion
I read this book while listening to John Smith's "Hold On" and strangely that song I felt fit the themes of the book quite well. But on the downside everytime I hear that song can't help but think of the horrific consequences of the T'lic abandoning that one guy with the larvae in his belly.
Hello, this was extremely insightful. I read the story and understood what was happening, but had a hard time picturing it in my mind's eye. Your video really helped me with my assignment. I wanted to to say thank you, keep it up and I'm glad I found your channel. :)
Hi Shey! I'm usually not one to leave comments on TH-cam like this, but I'd be remiss if I didn't at least come down here to say that I found this video so incredibly informative. As a sophomore in college nearing the end of Fall semester, I've chosen to write one of my final papers about Bloodchild. My instructor introduced us to the piece some weeks ago and I found it absolutely fascinating. Your overview of the story brought to light some concepts I hadn't considered till now, and I was thoroughly impressed by the clarity of your explanations. Thank you for making this video, it's been a big help in organizing my thoughts!
Can one really state that T'Gatoi's priority are the grubs over Lomas? The fact of the matter is if the grubs aren't removed as quickly as possible, the host will be eaten alive.
Exactly! Yet T'Gatoi takes her sweet time examing each grub she extracts and licking the blood off of them while Lomas suffers. From my perspective, that shows her priority is for the grubs over saving his life.
I loved this. Only wish I had found it sooner as I read Bloodchild last year. This was such a complex and layered tale that raised questions of power, slavery, autonomy vs. Stockholm syndrome vs. survival.If closely observed, this was like a microcosm of our world. A funhouse mirror of the horrors of humanity mixed with the potential for pushing boundaries of what it means to live, survive and have the continuation of a species be paramount to the concerns of individuals. Butler was always having a conversation with her readers, and, in stories such as this, holding up an alternate view of humanity and our grandiose reach.
This was a great discussion! I remember being creeped out by this short story and absolutely enjoying it. Now I kinda want to reread it
I hope you do!
Your discussion made me purchase this collection, great video!!!
Yessss. Amnesty is another alien/human short story in this collection that basically broke me 🤯
Thank you so much for your video! I've been really struggling reconciling my feelings about this story, and you've definitely helped me see it in another light that I wasn't getting before!
Just listened this story and i choose optimism and resignation. Gan plants the idea of encouraging closer relationships forming between the Terrans and the Tligs by allowing more Terrans to see the births at a younger age and under more controlled circumstances so that it's not so shocking and I hope over time and generations and probably a few bloody revolutions the relationship between t species will level out into something more equal. I have to believe the gross imbalances are only growing pains and eventually progress will happen.
Great discussion and fascinating book. I do wonder about calling the original inhabitants of the planet "aliens.'
That's a great point! Since the Terrans are the "aliens" to the T'lic
Please do more science fiction reviews with no spoilers. Maybe Futureland?! Thanks
In between, Octavia Butler is a genius. I just got the book yesterday and will start reading it soon. I hope is the first of many books that I will be reading from her.
I learned what it means to have a positive obsession through this book.
I’m so glad to have found this analysis (and your channel)! I recently read and adored Bloodchild, but was a bit confused about what to make of it, but your discussion made me want to reread the entire collection!
Thank you for this! This is the first Octavia butler story I’ve come across. I listened to it as an audio and my goodness!! Blow away by the imagery from how she writes. Can’t wait to read more. X
This story broke me 10 years ago
This was a great discussion. I have never wanted to read a book more, it sounds so layered.
I love your thoughts here
Can’t wait to watch this after I read Blood Child!
omg yes axioms end vibes!!
Thanks for the great analysis!
Girl, you have all the freedom to use the proper pronouns for the men and woman in this story!!😂
I thought it was a story about intergenerational incest and rape.
Replacing the patriarchy with the Tlic made it very interesting.
Fantastic!
Facts