In the story “Bloodchild” by Octavia Butler the theme of manipulation can be seen. Throughout the story Gans old best friend, Qui, was telling him that he had seen one of the Tlics eat a man. Gan did not know that his friend had seen this but did notice that Qui stayed away when Gan was with T’Gatoi as they reached adolescence. Qui stayed away because he knew that if anything happened to Gan, T’Gatoi would probably use Qui as a host. Gan does not believe what Qui says and even says that Xuan Hoa would be the one that would be used instead because she wants to be a host. Qui explains that a female couldnt be used because they are basically being kept for the next generations of host. Gan is manipulated into thinking that it is an easy process or thing and does not realize that they are being used as hosts for Tlics. Humans are manipulated into thinking that the females are allowed to just take care and bear their own children.
As Gan learns all this new information and after witnessing T’Gatoi cut open Lomas, he starts to fear what would happen to him. Tlic asks him to show him the weapon used to kill achti. Gan shows the gun but then points it up towards his chin and tells him he does not want to be a host anymore. T’Gatoi questions Gan if he would rather die than to host and even goes as far as to asking if Xuan Hoa should be used instead. Gan says yes at first but then realizes that she does not know what would await for her if she goes through the process of being a host. Gan is being emotionally manipulated and makes his final decision that he would be host.
In this story, Gans mother, Lien, is also being manipulated. Lien grew up with T’Gatoi and it is a tradition that humans would be host for Tlics. They were actual friends so Lien thought that if she had a son, it would be better to let her son be used by T’Gatoi than by another Tlic. The family eats eggs and they prolong life but Lien has stopped eating the eggs. She gives in and eats a small amount of egg which gets you feeling drunk. Lien drunkily tells T’Gatoi that if she thought she would sell her son for some eggs. I think that is the reason why she stops taking them, so she doesnt feel like she owes them anything. She wants to keep her son away from that. T’Gatoi knows that humans are given protection, food and a home in exchange for a host. That is an agreement that has been going on for a long time now. The whole human race is manipulated in order to survive.
i liked how you included that the mother was also being manipulated a bit in the story too