Topic A: Analyze how symbols reveal a major theme.
Thesis: Symbolism in the short story “Bloodchild” helps illustrate the themes of loss of childhood innocence and dehumanization.
Intro:
Topic Sentence 1: One symbol that helps illustrate the theme of loss of childhood innocence is birthing. In the story “Bloodchild” the loss of childhood innocence is perceived specifically with the character Gan. The theme of loss of childhood innocence is perceivable from the instant Gan’s life is prolonged for reproduction of another species. In the story humans referred to as “Terrans” are kept in a preserve protected by “Tlics” an insect like alien (Butler 21). Although, the Terrans are “protected”, male Terrans are forced to carry and reproduce Tlics …show more content…
Gan is a young boy as it is mentioned in the opening of the story by Lien, Gan’s mother “‘He’s still too thin’” (Butler 22). Lien know’s what is going on and what T’Gatoi intentions are. But Gan, the youngest member of the family, did not understand why his mother had so much aggression towards T’Gatoi, someone Gan felt comfortable around. Gan and his siblings are exposed to sexual interactions at such a young age. But, Gan does not realize that he is will only be utilized as a tool to reproduce Tlics. Although this shows an act of childhood innocence, it is lost as soon as Gan agreed to be implanted with eggs. This action reveals that as soon as Gan agrees to give birth his childhood innocence is vanished. Furthermore, when a child Terran has given birth they have now transitioned from child to adulthood. Additionally, this …show more content…
Furthermore, this quote supports the fact that birthing symbolizes the loss of childhood innocence. When Gan approves of eggs being implanted in him he has now transition to another important stage in his life, to adulthood. Symbols that illustrate the theme of dehumanization is the preserve and the eggs. In the story, Terran men are utilized to reproduce Tlics. Although the Tlics do care immensely for the well-being of the Terrans they detract from them their human qualities by keeping them in the preserve. The Tlics manipulate the Terrans and treat them less than humans. Terrans are used as “Host animals” essentially the men in exchange to Tlics utilizing Terrans as implements, Terrans have the right to live. However, Terrans have no freedom to live their life the way they want. Inside the preserve many Terrans also suffer from stings that Tlics give them with their tail. T’Gatoi stated to Lien that she will continue her “‘suffering”’ tomorrow. This statement demonstrates how the preserve symbolizes dehumanization. The Terrans can not protect themselves they are surrounded and controlled by Tlics. Attempting to escape the
Thesis: Symbolism in the short story “Bloodchild” helps illustrate the themes of loss of childhood innocence and dehumanization.
Intro:
Topic Sentence 1: One symbol that helps illustrate the theme of loss of childhood innocence is birthing. In the story “Bloodchild” the loss of childhood innocence is perceived specifically with the character Gan. The theme of loss of childhood innocence is perceivable from the instant Gan’s life is prolonged for reproduction of another species. In the story humans referred to as “Terrans” are kept in a preserve protected by “Tlics” an insect like alien (Butler 21). Although, the Terrans are “protected”, male Terrans are forced to carry and reproduce Tlics …show more content…
Gan is a young boy as it is mentioned in the opening of the story by Lien, Gan’s mother “‘He’s still too thin’” (Butler 22). Lien know’s what is going on and what T’Gatoi intentions are. But Gan, the youngest member of the family, did not understand why his mother had so much aggression towards T’Gatoi, someone Gan felt comfortable around. Gan and his siblings are exposed to sexual interactions at such a young age. But, Gan does not realize that he is will only be utilized as a tool to reproduce Tlics. Although this shows an act of childhood innocence, it is lost as soon as Gan agreed to be implanted with eggs. This action reveals that as soon as Gan agrees to give birth his childhood innocence is vanished. Furthermore, when a child Terran has given birth they have now transitioned from child to adulthood. Additionally, this …show more content…
Furthermore, this quote supports the fact that birthing symbolizes the loss of childhood innocence. When Gan approves of eggs being implanted in him he has now transition to another important stage in his life, to adulthood. Symbols that illustrate the theme of dehumanization is the preserve and the eggs. In the story, Terran men are utilized to reproduce Tlics. Although the Tlics do care immensely for the well-being of the Terrans they detract from them their human qualities by keeping them in the preserve. The Tlics manipulate the Terrans and treat them less than humans. Terrans are used as “Host animals” essentially the men in exchange to Tlics utilizing Terrans as implements, Terrans have the right to live. However, Terrans have no freedom to live their life the way they want. Inside the preserve many Terrans also suffer from stings that Tlics give them with their tail. T’Gatoi stated to Lien that she will continue her “‘suffering”’ tomorrow. This statement demonstrates how the preserve symbolizes dehumanization. The Terrans can not protect themselves they are surrounded and controlled by Tlics. Attempting to escape the