Reproduction and Terran
Sarah Archer 2/28/13 English 126 Research Paper The short story, “Bloodchild,” written by Octavia Butler, revolves primarily around the Terrans’ relationship with the Tlic and the birthing process they both play a critical role in. Gan and his family, all Terran, are living inside the Preserve and have a relationship with T’Gatoi, a Tlic who has political power and is in control of the Preserve. The main connection between the Terran and the Tlic is the birthing process. The Tlic use the Terran to carry their grubs for them, because the Tlic are not able to carry their children themselves. The author uses her story to examine and explore reproduction rights that were being debated or taking place during the time she was writing. Some examples of these rights are exhibited in the incidents of abortion, rape, and surrogate parenthood. These issues that are present in the story are important because they reveal the underlying theme of control throughout “Bloodchild.” First, feminist ideas are seen throughout the short story “Bloodchild,” Feminism emerged in the beginning of the 19th century. Three total “waves” of Feminism took place, each of which focused on different issues, depending on the context of their emergence. Feminists started to advocate for the “right to choose” in the 1970s. These women saw the legalization of abortion as vital to their equality with men. Having the ability to decide when to have children, or if to have children, was extremely important to feminists (Adams 313). The idea of abortion is also seen in Octavia Butler’s short story. The first time Gan observes the birthing process, he is horrified by the whole event and throws up from watching it take place (Butler 17). Prior to seeing this process occur, Gan is the one person in his family who relates most with T’Gatoi. Though his mother and his other siblings find lying with T’Gatoi uncomfortable,