READ:
http://www.esquire.com/entertainment/books/a14340/ray-bradbury-last-night-of-the-world-0251/
and Octavia Butler's "Bloodchild"
http://boblyman.net/englt392/texts/bloodchild.pdf
http://aliens.wikia.com/wiki/Tlic
Post a comment to these questions:
1.Who
has the power in the story and is it static or dynamic?
2.Why
does the story focus on birth? What values and associations does our culture
place on birthing? Does this story reinforce, interrogate, or deviate from
those values and assumptions?
3.How
does one’s control of one’s own reproductivity allow for empowerment or subjectivity?
Is reproduction a violent process?
4.How
is the pairing of T'Gatoi and Gan similar to and different from male and
female pairing in American culture?
5.What
is the conflict Gan experiences and why is he conflicted?
What would you do in Gan's shoes?
Continue to work on your speculative fiction.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete1. The Tlic have the power in the story and it is a static relationship, it does not shift and there are barely any moments where the tables turn for the Terrans to gain the upperhand.
ReplyDelete2. The concept of birth is so prevalent because it was the author's inner desire to write about the speculative topic of men "giving birth". The story really challenges the view of women being pregnant since it is such a taboo topic in the western culture. Although there is a "movement" for reproductive rights like abortion or birth control, the actual existence of said movement shows that it really is taboo. Bloodchild is a sort of taunt to men or others with views about pregnancy, "How does it feel now?"
3.The concept of control over your own reproduction is more empowering than a burden. It's your body, do what you want with your body. Reproduction can be a beautiful thing, bringing your own being into existence. But the whole exploring reproduction can result in unwanted creation when you aren't ready.
3. The relationship of T'Gatoi and Gan can be compared to an abusive relationship where the female is more abusive and distant from their child while the father is left to take care of it. I mean, when we think of domestic abuse we think of a man beating a woman mentally/physically, but sometimes we forget that men get abused too. It's not like I'm saying that female experiences of abuse aren't valid because I'm bitter since male survivors get less acknowledgement. We see men as weak when they can't take a punch or cry and walk away. Domestic abuse culture can be related to Bloodchild.
5. I mean, Gan is impregnated with an alien eggs, and that's not very fun to think about. He's conflicted after seeing his friend ripped open and scooped for his carriers. I understand why he's so conflicted. If I was Gan I would probably kill myself since it's disgusting to think about having creatures crawl out of my stomach or being impregnated by an alien creature
1. In this story, T’Gatoi has most of the power, since she is controlling everyone. I would say that the power is dynamic, too.
ReplyDelete2. I believe that the story focuses on birth because birth revolves around creating something new, which I guess a lot of people see as a good thing? This story both reinforces and deviates from these values and assumptions because it shows how important birth is, but how terrifying it can be at the same time.
3. One’s control of one’s own reproductivity allows for empowerment because it means that someone actually has a choice in whether or not they’d like to reproduce. I don’t really find reproduction to be violent though (except in this story, haha).
4. I would say that the pairing of T’Gatoi and Gan is similar to male and female pairings in American culture because it’s a pairing, I suppose. It’s different, however, because I guess it’s reversed since there’s a male giving birth in this particular pairing. That, and T’Gatoi and Gan’s pairing seems pretty forced. Or at least, that’s the best word I can think of to describe it.
5. Gan experiences the conflict of whether or not he’d like to deal with the entire process of pregnancy, and he’s conflicted because it’s a pretty difficult thing. If I were in Gan’s position, I’d probably just accept my fate since it doesn’t seem like there would be anything to do to help the situation.
1.T’Gatoi has all the power in the story, she controls the family that she stays with. It’s dynamic because there was change among the characters. T’Gatoi developed a soft spot for Gan, and Gan was more willing toward T’Gatoi.
ReplyDelete2.Birth is a very powerful event, it brings new organisms into this world to provide, work, and create, and then finally reproduce so the process can start again. Birthing is held in high standards, and is seen as very powerful, beautiful, and strong. This story reinforces that idea of birth without the beauty part, by displaying the pain and strength it takes to birth, and also the importance.
3.One’s control over another one’s own reproductivity allows for subjectivity. No one should be in control of another person’s choice to reproduce, and the process that the person undergoes. Reproduction isn’t necessarily violent, although there is a large amount of blood, and a mass of pain. Birth can still be seen as a beautiful thing.
4.It shows their difficult and complex relationship. Similar to many American relationships they argue, disagree, and come back around.
5.Gan’s conflict is his choice of whether or not to be the one that is the reproductive, or to let his sister be the one. If I was in Gan’s shoes I’d have to base it upon the eldest sibling. The older sibling should be the one who sacrifices.
1} The person who has power in the story is T'Gatoi because in the end, she makes the decision as to when and whom gets to harbor the eggs. It's VERY dynamic because every character goes through a change at one point or another.
ReplyDelete2} The story focuses on birth because it's a very good example on how two species need each other to survive. No matter how disgusting it is. The values and associations our culture places on birthing is that it's traumatic and painful.
3} One's control of one's own reproductivity allows for empowerment because it allows the one who will bear the child to make a choice yet at the same time, it allows for subjectivity because the other partner can force them into submission, making them choose to have a kid even though they don't want to.
4} The pairing of T'Gatoi and Gan is similar to a male and female in American culture because they both have their times when they are unsure of what to do. Also, they're different because they have an inter-species relationship.
5} The conflict Gan experiences is that he hears about someone having to bear yet another child, coming to find out its his sister. He doesn't want to have the child but yet he doesn't want to either. What I would do is that I would let myself harbor the child because I would rather be in pain and maybe die than to have my sister being in pain.
This story has a link to slavery and symbiosis. One example for this is that T'Gatoi has the Terans in a 'Perserve.' Does anybody NOT see the reference to slavery. An example of symbiosis is when Gan agrees to bear T'Gatoi's child.
1.Who has the power in the story and is it static or dynamic?
ReplyDelete-I think T’Gatoi is in power because she needs them to reproduce for her and The story is dynamic because its changes and its full of progress.
2.Why does the story focus on birth? What values and associations does our culture place on birthing? Does this story reinforce, interrogate, or deviate from those values and assumptions?
-The story focus on birth because in our culture birth is popular and is a beautiful thing. This story reinforce birth because its like it shows that either a man or woman can give birth (not literary) but go through the pain as much as a women.
3.How does one’s control of one’s own reproductivity allow for empowerment or subjectivity? Is reproduction a violent process?
-The control on ones control allows empowerment because T'Gatoi got power from helping the man give birth and that was her empowerment. I believe reproduction is violent because anyone can die from giving birth.
4.How is the pairing of T'Gatoi and Gan similar to and different from male and female pairing in American culture?
-it is similar because they both have the support system and the pain they both get but it is different because the female was the one giving the male the egg but in american culture its the male giving the female his sperm.
5.What is the conflict Gan experiences and why is he conflicted? What would you do in Gan's shoes?
-Gran couldnt handle seeing the birth of the creature because it was to much pressure for her to stay by T'Gatoi side while she helps the man give birth. He had to be her support system.
1.Who has the power in the story and is it static or dynamic?
ReplyDeleteT'Gatoi is in power because she needs people to reproduce for her and she tells everyone what to do. Its Dynamic because a lot of changes happen.
2.Why does the story focus on birth? What values and associations does our culture place on birthing? Does this story reinforce, interrogate, or deviate from those values and assumptions?
It focuses on birth because it shows how every group of people not just humans need to reproduce. In are culture birth and reproduction is needed so we do not become extinct. This story reinforces are values because it shoes how a man and woman can go through the same pain hypothetically speaking.
3.How does one’s control of one’s own reproductivity allow for empowerment or subjectivity? Is reproduction a violent process?
Reproduction isn't a violent process because its a choice an adult makes in their life. Now if its accidental therefore it can be considered a violent process because your normally not ready for the pain that you have to go through.
4.How is the pairing of T'Gatoi and Gan similar to and different from male and female pairing in American culture?
They both have a support system. its different because the female gets the male pregnant but in American culture is vice versa.
5.What is the conflict Gan experiences and why is he conflicted? What would you do in Gan's shoes?
He couldn't handle seeing everything that T'gatoi had to do during the birthing process. Even when he closed his eyes he couldn't forget what he saw. It made him sick to his stomach. If I was in his shoes I would get sick too because I can't handle a lot of blood.
1. T'Gahtoi
ReplyDelete2. It want to show the difference of a male giving birth to a female. Women are usually the ones giving birth so this is something different. Interrogate
3. It's subjectivity because there are many ways for their to be an accidental birth.
4.In this situation, the Gann is basically a sacrifice because she didn't give him any meds for the sea section so he was at risk of death. Similar because they one who is pregnant is cared for the same way.
5. Gan is put in situation to where he could die and he's trying to decide whether he should kill T'Gatoi or not,. I f I was in his shoes, I would do what I feel is right
1)I think the Tlic have an illusion of power when they really rely on the Terran. I think this is why people think it’s about slavery because that’s how the slaves were approached. I think the story is very dynamic because it slowly reveals the relationship between the Terrans and the Tlic and how many secrets are in it.
ReplyDelete2)I think the point of the pregnancy was to show the abuse of the Tlic. Pregnancy is often something people are scared of and feel that is too much for some people to handle. I think the author made this the point to in act that fear that people have towards pregnancy.
3)In the end of the story when Gan was able to choose, it showed that the Tlic were taking advantage of the Terran. Mostly without them realizing it.
4)There pairing was interesting because it’s different but has a lot of similarities to normal pairing in the real world. Since Gan is so young he upheld a sense of vulnerability which people usually relate towards women but T’Gatoi was strong and took a more dominant role in the relationship.
5)If I was in Gan shoes I might have killed her. I think his brother got into his head and he was no longer sure if this was his decision. He thought back on how T’Gatoi treated him and realized he wasn’t being asked he was being told. His conflict was he didn’t want to go through what the other man did.
ReplyDelete1.Who has the power in the story and is it static or dynamic?
~I think T’Gatoi has the power in the story and that it was dynamic.
2.Why does the story focus on birth? What values and associations does our culture place on birthing? Does this story reinforce, interrogate, or deviate from those values and assumptions?
~I think the story focuses on birth to show its meaning and importance. I think we associate happiness with birthing, but also difficultness, and we value it strongly I think because it’s bringing another life into this world. This story does reinforce these assumptions and values.
3.How does one’s control of one’s own reproductivity allow for empowerment or subjectivity? Is reproduction a violent process?
~One’s control of one’s own reproductivity allows for empowerment and subjectivity because it allows you to be in control and informed about what’s going on throughout the whole process. I don’t think reproduction is a violent process unless it was unintentional because that shock of something growing inside of you can affect you greatly and make things hard for you, so not so much violent, but scary.
4.How is the pairing of T'Gatoi and Gan similar to and different from male and female pairing in American culture?
~ It is similar to the pairing of male and female in American culture because it our culture 9 times out of time one or another of the partners are not ready for this whole process.
5.What is the conflict Gan experiences and why is he conflicted? What would you do in Gan's shoes?
~Gan experiences kind of cold feet. She knew what was going to happen, yet she was very terrified of the whole process because she saw first hand what was going to happen to her. In Gan’s shoes I would have probably just allowed my sister who wanted to do it, do it. I understand the worry and fear for her, but if she wanted it why not just allow it to happen instead of you doing it when you don’t want to.
1. T’Gatoi
ReplyDelete2.
3. You can control someone’s reproduction by over powering someone or make them do what u want.
4. T’Gatio is basically like the man in are world she got the man gan pregnant
5. He was deciding if he wanted to keep the baby or not. If I was him I would kill the baby and kill T’Gatoi and run away
1) T’Gatoi has the most power because she is the one that is more assertive and demanding than the others. She is more dynamic with her power.
ReplyDelete2) The story focuses on birth because it is an aspect of a rite of passage story. It’s a new page in life and the protagonist has to decide what to do. In our culture, we value birth as something magical and ethereal. It’s beautiful to give birth. The story, however, has a dark alternative thought to the process. The characters are forced to be put into labor.
3) One’s control over their own reproductivity gives people empowerment because they get an option to decide, they feel as if it is their right, etc.
4) The pairing is similar to male and female pairings in American culture because T'Gatoi and Gan had a consensual connection with each other. When T'Gatoi was going to implant her eggs in Gan they had a conversation where they reassured each other that they had a partnership. They were going to be risks in the process but they comforted and cared for each other. The differences were that Gan didn’t want to be impregnated by T'Gatoi but he felt obligated.
5) Gan is conflicted because he was not aware to the severity of the situation. When he witnessed the process, he felt he was being rushed into it. He had second thoughts about going through with the process when he saw another man in pain
Jenna: If I were in Gan’s shoes, I would accept it. If I had not I would have been forced into it anyway.
Akhiyar: If I were in Gan’s shoes I would have shot her.
- done by akhiyar and jenna
1.The power in the story was dynamic and in the alien's hand.
ReplyDelete2. If focuses on birth because it is an important thing and common in human society. Our culture highly values the birth of a child. If reinforces those values.
3. It allows the person to feel like they are in control and that they are passing on their life to a future person. Reproduction is not a violent process, painful, but not violent.
4.It shows how men are dominant in regards to decisions surrounding birth even though females are the ones actually giving birth.
5. His conflict is whether or not he should be pregnant. I would just submit because that’s what everyone else had been doing prior, and it was still working out.
ReplyDelete1.Who has the power in the story and is it static or dynamic? The Tlics have the power that is dynamic because it can change.
2.Why does the story focus on birth? What values and associations does our culture place on birthing? Does this story reinforce, interrogate, or deviate from those values and assumptions? It focuses on birth because birth is a ritual that starts new life. The values of birth are new editions to families and the extension of family culture continuing. It reinforces these values.
3.How does one’s control of one’s own reproductivity allow for empowerment or subjectivity? Is reproduction a violent process? Control over reproductivity allows empowerment to the one doing the controlling. They decide who, when, where, and how the parties reproduce. Reproduction is a process that towards the end becomes painful. The birthing part.
4.How is the pairing of T'Gatoi and Gan similar to and different from male and female pairing in American culture? Their different because the male is the one giving birth and chosen based on how they’d be able to handle reproduction. In American culture women give birth.
5.What is the conflict Gan experiences and why is he conflicted? What would you do in Gan's shoes? He doesn’t want to go through be chosen to go through for the reproduction.