Bloodchild in class questions

1. What was your reaction to the text?

I was pretty shocked by the graphic nature of the text, be it the vivid depictions of gutting animals and humans to the amount of detail describing the disgusting, gore soaked "worm" alien babies; the story defiantly wanted to graspe and hold onto the reader's attention. I was at first confused as to what kind of story this was, it seemed to have basic elements of science fiction, (aliens, different planet, etc) but upon reconsideration it appears like the focus really isn't on any of these or even the horror aspects of roping animals and people "from neck to anus;" more so focused upon the ideas of racial/species treatment found in the narrative. In this case the humans are subjective to the aliens of the text, and treated much in the same way we would treat a domesticated farm animal or even a slave. Humans of this world are meant to breed, do work, and die, all while being told they are living fulfilling lives and further made passive by heavy use of narcotics to keep them dumb and unacting. I found the story's ability to deliver shocking graphic depictions, a mysterious atmosphere, and themes of racial treatment all at once to be truly spectacular!




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

Initially confused, then for a part of it all horrified, I think that I now see the themes behind the gore and strange "customs" described in the story. I mostly saw the story as a series of themes relating to how varies ethnic minorities or civilizations have been treated by more dominate civilizations throughout the centuraries. Be it Africans in colonial America or Mexicans in modern America, an unfortunate amount of "ugliness" has occurred between the dominant and minor races. White slave owners would impregnate and/or sell their slaves all while keeping them ignorrent of survival and living skills to keep them and their children as dependent upon a "caring master" as possible; all the while claiming saintness over their "property," the same way the aliens depicted in this story do so with humans.


3. What changes would you make to adapt this story into another medium? What medium and what changes would you choose?

I would think this story could be turned into a science fiction television series, mostly due to its overarching themes of racial tensions and histories but carrying elements of science fiction as well; both very popular and relevant to modern audiences. Especially with many shows being able to get away with graphic depictions or controversial storylines by being exclusively offered by select services like Netflix or Hulu, we would be able to show every last detail of the authors original story without worry if networks claiming it to be too graphic. We would have to probably expand upon the story in order to translate it into a mini-series while still keeping it open ended, (much like its original "ending") to leave open the possibility for full series possibilities or maybe even a movie.

 All in all though, this story could use a few updates in terms of science fiction elements, while the much calmer, somewhat realistic nature this story takes upon science fiction is good, I do feel modern audience would prefer sormthing more "flashy." Possibly relocating the story from alien farm/country land to sprawling alien city, (still keeping the main point of humans being slaves and all) would keep the original values and themes of the story while also making it visually interesting for audiences.