Anna Sibilia

David Steiling

November 9, 2015

Bloodchild responses

Are there any prominent symbols the story? If so, what are they and how are they used?

Within the story, there is a cyclical symbolism concerning eggs. We are first shown the Humans consuming the eggs of the Tlic for nutrients and strength. They are a meant to be a life-giving and fortifying food to help with the aging and growth of the Humans that consume them, yet towards the end of the story, we are shown why this food is the main nourishment for Humans underneath the care of the Tlic. Humans are host organisms for implanted eggs as the Tlic cannot carry their incubating young. Once hatched, the grubs then eat their way out of their shell and will start attacking its host for its own nourishment. It is a slightly ironic element to the story that Humans are brought up eating something that will eventually be implanted inside them and consume them.

2) What connections (if any) did you make with the story? Discuss the elements with which you were able to connect? 

Personally, my helminthophobia and parasitophobia kicked in while reading this story. I have a longstanding fear of of some of the more graphic content that was within the story due to some unfortunate observations in my early childhood (namely finding roadkill absolutely riddled with maggots on the side of the street and accidentally coming across this kind of stuff on televised documentaries). It’s a subject I tend to avoid for it makes me anything from lightheaded to nauseated and sick, so while I didn’t enjoy reading it, I will admit that the underlying tones were interesting.

3) What changes would you make to adapt this story into another medium? What medium would you choose? What changes would you make?

If I was to adapt this short story into another medium, I would most likely choose to make this into an RPG with a huge emphasis on story and a system to takes the player’s actions into account to change elements of the narrative. I feel like this would make a unique experience as an interactive story, one where the main character cannot actually fight back if they are threatened and must weigh the consequences of each action carefully; sometimes playing along with the Tlic would be beneficial, other times it could be more of a trap or burden. I’d hesitate to give this adventure a combat system outside of a health gauge, for I fear it’d become a horror-FPS whereas its narrative lends itself far more to a psychological and survivalist tone. Besides, the imagery used in the story would create a visual interest from how the Humans under care of the Tlic look, how the Tlic themselves would move and weave within their environment, as well as the differences between the variations of the aliens themselves.