Bloodchild

I thought Octavia Butler's "Bloodchild" was a really interesting piece. It had the weird sci-fi effect where you are constantly trying to figure out this new world. Parts of it were weird and disgusting, but I couldn't help be intrigued. At the same time it had themes that represent very normal circumstances. For example, the mother that does not want to let her son go because she wants to protect him. Also there is the politician, who works to protect those who can't protect themselves from society. All of these things make the story easy to relate to.
Then there is the symbolism pointing to slavery and tension between whites and blacks. The Terran people are safe only because they live on a preserve and allow themselves to be used by the Tlic. The relationship between the main character and T'Gatoi is very interesting because in one way it is painted in a very positive light. Then we see the potentially horrible consequences that wait for the main character. I wondered if this potential fate was supposed to be seen as punishment for betraying his race or if it was a necessary evil. This is similar to other readings we have done where the narrator has internal struggles about the same issue.