Week Twelve: BloodChild

1. What is your reaction to the text you just read?
Blood-child was certainly an unexpected work to read. When I first started it I imagined it would end up being somewhat weird, but the weirdness was bigger than I expected. Even so, I found it very engaging and found myself reading through it super fast, even though on itself is quite short. The world-building was quite massive for such a small piece, but it felt like it was enough, giving the audience this sense that there is more to this world behind the scenes that are shown to us through this perspective that we are placed upon among the characters. There were established rules, society and norms that although were not explained at all, felt like they were there.


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

When I first read it I thought there was a connection of slavery amongst the piece, however after discussing in class I found out that the author made it clear that that was not their intention. After finding it out, it made me analyze the piece in another angle, and I noticed more of this idea of cohabiting with other species, and learning to live together in harmony, a discussion that is quite common in our society. Although in certain aspects the relationship of the two species seemed to not be as healthy as the characters make it to be, showing a relationship of a certain abuse of power and of use of one another, the story still gave the sense that this was something that they are used to and probably grew to be something that is now part of their way of life. It made me think about the philosophy that states that human beings are one of the most adaptable beings to our knowledge, and how although the circumstances may seem absurd to us based on our ideals, to them this is how they live and how their ideals are formed.

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

I would want to adapt this story into a video game. I feel like it would be very entertaining to explore this world and have this odd story told while being in the POV of one of the characters (either the "alien" or the humans). Although it was quite the ride to read, I feel like it's one of those types of stories that require a little help of visual aid in order to fully send the message and help the reader visualize the events that are happening.

4. Are there elements of this work that you would consider afro-futurist?

I feel like there is certainly aspects of Afro Futurism in this piece. The story is told through the lens of a black character and the culture of African Traditions. The "alien" in this piece can be tied down to old legends of African Culture, and the entire story seemed to be more like a piece of a legend rather than a concrete novel, possibly carrying a meaning by using old legends and myths from the culture, while also being set in a futuristic (and most likely post-apocalyptic) society.