In this way, Butler explores gender roles within the family unit and societal structures. In the end, he still feels a sense of maternal affection for the brood of eggs inside him, knowing he will care for them even though they will be born into a world of inequality and tension between species. The story delves deep into Gan’s psyche as he is conflicted over his lack of agency in his relationship with T’Gatoi and his strong familial bond with her. She has been a staple in his family, providing comfort and assurance in spite of her position of power over them. It’s also important to note that while Gan has every reason to fear and hate T’Gatoi, he still loves her. He sacrifices his own safety and well-being for his family, choosing a path for his future that is an uncertain as it is unfavourable.

Gan chooses to host T’Gatoi’s eggs even though he knows the danger he is putting himself in and the agency he is giving up. In the afterward, Butler states she wanted to explore a scenario where a man could become pregnant not by accident or out of curiosity, but by love. And although the story does includes a group of humans that are, in a literal sense, enslaved, this reading is a vast oversimplification of what Butler was doing with the characters and their motivations.Īs Butler noted, “Bloodchild” is a love story, a coming-of-age tale, and what-if scenario about a man becoming pregnant with a weird, alien, bug-creature.

By signing up you agree to our terms of useīut Butler had heard this interpretation many, many times before, and wrote in her afterward to “Bloodchild” that she was “amazed” people kept viewing her story through this lens. Thank you for signing up! Keep an eye on your inbox. It seemed so obvious: the Tlic are the white enslavers and their controlling humans’ bodies for their own benefit, all while insisting the humans are fortunate to be subjugated. The first time I read this story, I assumed Butler has written “Bloodchild” as an allegory for slavery in North America. Gan chooses to be a host on the condition that T’Gatoi doesn’t report the illegal firearm Gan has been hiding. Gan realizes the danger he will be in if he lets T’Gatoi lay her eggs inside of him, but she declares that if he won’t be her host, then she’ll just use his sister instead. When an injured and impregnated man is found outside their house, Gan watches in horror as T’Gatoi surgically removes the Tlic eggs from the man’s body to prevent them from eating him alive from the inside out. T’Gatoi lives with Gan’s family, sedating them with her sterile eggs and repeating how lucky they all are to have her living with them. In this world, a boy named Gan has been chosen to host the eggs of T’Gatoi, the Tlic in charge of relations with humans in the compound.

Bloodchild octavia butler audio