This is going to be... Very provisional since I really don't know where to start. Well, at least I know which question I want to answer--great start, right?
For now, I'll be answering the question concerning particular social norms and how they are challenged, and I'll be using "Blood Child."
Here goes nothing.
Although her writing focuses on an arranged relationship, Octavia Butler's "Blood Child" still critiques the role of gender and highlights the importance of consent involved in reproduction between two individuals.
My qualification stems from the fact that in an arranged marriage, there is limited idea of consent (at least in Indian culture). Since Gan's mother promised one of her children to the T'lic, I felt the need to qualify my assertion by pointing out that this relationship is even more abnormal than if a human and T'lic willingly mated.
My focus on gender comes from the fact that in "Blood Child", it's not the female getting impregnated; rather, it's the male. This shows a role reversal that really challenges the way our society thinks, and I want to signal that as important. Moreover, it is the female that is seen as dominant in this relationship: the T'lic is older, bigger, and more powerful (notice the way she commanded Gan around?).
Next is consent. Rape is an evident problem in today's world, and Butler shows that it is something that needs to be fixed. I noticed this question of consent when the T'lic gives the sterile egg to Gan in order to get him drunk... Sketchy. Then she stings his mother so that she cannot protest, which is even weirder. Lastly, she basically manipulates his love for his sister, making him give himself up rather than give his sister up. Instead of critiquing our view of consent in reproduction, she is reinforcing it, saying that is something that does not need to be changed. Consent needs to be given.
All in all, some of this will change, or maybe a lot of it will change. But this is just my starting point, so enjoy!
--
Farhan Khan
5 comments:
I like the way you think man, namely because our theses are almost the exact same, but one simple thing that might make yours stronger is that personally I think the very idea of an arranged relationship involves a lack of consent, so I don't feel an "although" in a concession is the best way to phrase the sentence. Furthermore, instead of "critiques...and highlights" maybe you can use more of a "critiques...by highlighting" or "through highlighting." I hope that makes sense, but otherwise, good topic man.
I too have a similar thesis in relation to "Bloodchild." I certainly think that the factors of the egg, the stinging of Gan's mother, and the circumstance with Gan's sister all restricts Gan's ability in a very indirect way, as opposed to the spacers in Aye and Gomorrah, who directly are restricted from consent. In passing I would say that when reading your thesis your actual statement/claim that you are trying to prove is absent. You touched on the issue of gender, but never actually come out and say "this is what I am arguing." Either than that its good. Great insights.
I too have a similar thesis in relation to "Bloodchild." I certainly think that the factors of the egg, the stinging of Gan's mother, and the circumstance with Gan's sister all restricts Gan's ability in a very indirect way, as opposed to the spacers in Aye and Gomorrah, who directly are restricted from consent. In passing I would say that when reading your thesis your actual statement/claim that you are trying to prove is absent. You touched on the issue of gender, but never actually come out and say "this is what I am arguing." Either than that its good. Great insights.
Loving your thesis! In addition to using coercion, drugs, and (maybe as Steven suggested) the arranged aspect of Gan's and T'Gatoi's relationship, perhaps consider the age difference as an element that interferes with consent as well? I doubt all of these will make it into your paper, but it may make looking for theorists to further or counter a little easier.
Hi Farhan,
Your classmates have offered you some fabulous here! I agree that you're off to a fabulous start, but might want to say something more concrete and specific than that "Bloodchild" highlights issues of consent.
One way you might do this is by revising the question you're trying to answer just slightly: How does "Bloodchild" critique the terms (or power dynamics) under which biological reproduction occurs?
Being specific about what the critique is will help focus your argument dramatically!
Nice start!
Best,
Jennifer
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