Bloodchild and Other Stories

In “The Book of Martha,” the protagonist is given the power to better the world. Though she initially has many ideas, when she discusses them with God, it becomes obvious that certain changes would destroy what is fundamentally human, which Martha has been tasked to preserve. What is essential to being human? Can you think of instances in any of the other stories where this question is also being posed?

Many of the stories depict societies that are rebuilding in the face of catastrophe. Imagine a catastrophe has happened and you are tasked with creating a new society: what would your ideal society look like? 

Consider the biblical story of Noah and the flood; what are the similarities and differences between the biblical Noah and Noah Cannon?

“Crossing over” is commonly a term used to refer to a dead person going to the afterlife, as in “she has crossed over to the other side.” Why do you think the story is called “Crossover?” Is there a particular relationship between life and death that this story is depicting? 

Noah Cannon states that she knows the subcontractor will probably accidentally hurt her, but she takes the job anyway. Why do you think she does that?

Both Gan and Noah chose to cooperate with aliens, and gain some benefits in return. Both stories also feature characters who want to destroy or repel the aliens. If aliens invaded Earth, would you try to coexist with them, or would you fight against them? 

In “Positive Obsession,” Butler describes being worried that she would not be allowed to buy a book at a white book store. To her relief, the store is not segregated. Write about a time when you felt like you would be judged for who you are, what you looked like, or where you or your family were from. What ended up happening? How did this make you feel? Compare and contrast your experience to Butler’s. 

In the “Book of Martha,” Martha first sees God as a supernaturally tall, powerful white man, then as a black man, and, finally, as a black woman. God explains that she sees what society has prepared her to see. What does this mean? If you were Martha, what would God look like to you?