Critical Analysis to Support Theme of Slavery in “Bloodchild” Within a story, there can be many different themes an author may be trying to get across. Some readers will pick up on those intended themes, while other readers may see themes that the author never intended. The story “Bloodchild” by Octavia Butler is one of these stories where readers will argue there are several themes present. However, the most controversial discussions are about wether “Bloodchild” is a love story, or a story of slavery. While Octavia Butler will say it is “a love story between two very different species” (“Afterward” 20). In Pamela Maynard’s critical analysis “Lessons from Culture” she argues that “Bloodchild” cannot be considered a love story because of the undeniable theme of domination present throughout the story (Maynard 1). After reading “Bloodchild” and “Lessons from Culture” I agree with Maynard’s statement that this story is not about love, but about the slavey and manipulation of the Terrans by the Tlics. This theme can be seen when analyzing the interactions that both Lien and Gan have with T’Gatoi. In Maynard’s essay she discusses how humans naturally feel like the dominant species and that all other species are inferior to humans (Maynard 2). She then begins to discuss a character is Butler’s story who reflects this same belief “Butler creates Gan’s brother Qui to represent his conventional culture and thought. Qui views his family’s state under non-human domination as ‘unnatural’, and sees Terrans as little more than slaves.” (Maynard 2) While I do agree with Maynard when she states that Qui feels humans should be superior and feels like a slave with the Tlics. I do not agree that Qui is the only character Butler has created that is rejecting the Terrans relationship with the Tlics. While Qui is the only character to specifically state his opinion about the Tlics,