Kindred Essay, Research Paper
Octavia
Butler’s novel Kindred is categorized as science fiction because of the
existence of time travel. However, the novel does not center on the schematics
of this type of journey. Instead, the novel deals with the relationships forged
between a Los Angeles woman from the 20th century, and slaves from the 19th
century. Therefore, the mechanism of time travel allows the author a sort of
freedom when writing this "slavery narrative" apart from her
counterparts. Butler is able to judge the slavery from the point of view of a
truly "free" black woman, as opposed to an enslaved one describing
memories.On a more
superficial level, the fact that the novel has been deemed as "science
fiction" opens it up to a greater audience. It is safe to say that the
majority of people cannot relate to the troubles and scars of the antebellum
south, in fact the only living persons who can purely relate are the
descendents of slaves. And, even then, it is only on a secondary level, brought
on by stories handed through the generations. The novel is seen through the
eyes of a woman of the "modern" period of history, and centers itself
on her counteraction. This gives the "fish out of water" quality of
life. To this, the majority of us can sympathize. Most have been in a situation
where things around are unfamiliar, thus forcing an adjustment in behavior. The
adjustment that the main character Dana makes, though, is one that is very
extreme. Clearly the time spent in the past made Dana much harder than she had
been, she says, "If I’d had my knife, I would surely have
killed someone. As it was, I managed to leave scratches and bruises on Rufus,
his father, and Edwards who was called over to help." (Butler, 176)As far as
how it works in the actual story of the novel, firstly, and most importantly,
it puts a strong, independent, black, 20th century black woman in the
antebellum south. This provides a strong contrast in living conditions, as well
as psychological patterns with those of the 19th century Dana sees and conveys
the world of slavery around her with the background of the 20th century,
"our world." This allows the reader to find a real connection with
the protagonist, Dana. Dana describes in its gory detail the whippings she
took:He beat me
until I swung back and forth by my wrists, half-crazy with pain, unable to find
my footing, unable to stand the pressure of hanging, unable to get away from
the steady slashing blows.(176)Each blow
is felt ten fold, as a product of different times, relatively peaceful times,
Dana, along with the reader, is not accustom to this amount of first hand
violence.Secondly,
the discrepancy between times moves the drama in the plot along, in particular,
Dana’s relationship with Rufus. Once Dana learns that her purpose is to protect
the life of Rufus, in order to continue her own family line, she takes on the
maternal role. She teaches him the lessons of discipline and respect for others
that have been considered the parents role:’Hush,
Rufe.’ I put my hand on his shoulder to quiet him. Apparently I’d hit the nerve
I’d aimed at. ‘I didn’t say you were trash. I said how’d you like to be called
trash. I see you don’t like it. I don’t like being called nigger either.’ (61)This also
illustrates how Dana believes she can have a lasting effect on Rufus, to steer
him away from the ways of his father. However, she only has a limited period of
time to shed her 20th century mentality on him. And, Rufus’ change is not
gradual relative to Dana, because every time she returns, she finds Rufus years
older, and acting that much more like his father. This poses
one of the general themes that go along with time travel in science fiction.
Every protagonist has visions of grandeur of making the future a
"better" place. So they go back in time and try to influence the past
in order to rearrange the future. But, in each case each character fails.But, the
fact that Dana goes backward in time lets her to prepare for the worst. It is
evident throughout the book that Dana is quite well educated, and has read a
good amount of material written by former slaves. Since she is well versed on
the "old southern ways" she can develop a higher understanding of her
surroundings. She knows exactly what actions will cause a violent reaction,
"But if that patroller’s friends had caught me, they would have killed me.
And if they hadn’t caught me, they would probably have gone after Alice’s
mother." (51) She also realizes what she must sacrifice in order to
survive:’Oh, they
won’t kill me. Not unless I’m silly enough to resist the other things they’d
rather do – like raping me, throwing me into jail as a runaway, and then
selling me to the highest bidder when they see that my owner isn’t coming to
claim me.’ (48)This
"street smart" gives Dana a slight advantage. One begins to question
whether Dana is growing accustom to the practices of the time.As the
story progresses, it becomes harder for Dana to be "scared to death"
in order to return her home. For instance after she was caught reading to
Nigel, Tom Weylin whipped her for the first time. Her dizziness set in
relatively quickly, and she was sent home. But, later on when Dana is caught
trying to escape to find Kevin, she is whipped again perhaps more brutally.
However, she almost accepts the beating, "This was only punishment, and I
knew it.I wasn’t going to die." (176)In
addition, the sudden juxtaposition of both times allows for the illustration of
the timelessness of bigotry. Dana and Kevin’s present time, 1976, is a decade
after the heated battles of the Civil Rights Movement, yet interracial
marriages are still looked down upon. For instance, Kevin’s sister’s reaction
upon learning of the engagement between Kevin and Dana. She says she doesn’t
wish to meet Dana nor have her in the house. She even goes as far to say that
her own brother, Kevin, is no longer welcome in her house. (110) However, the
racism is not limited just to Kevin’s family, it also applies to Dana’s. Her
uncle says that he wishes Dana to marry "someone like him – someone who
looks like him. A black man." (111)This
contrast allows for the comparison with Dana’s "present." In her
time, Dana refers to the temp agency she works for as a "slave
market." (52) In a way a temp agency is the 20th century’s own version of
slavery. The workers are at the beck and call of the agency, and the agency
sells their services to each company, reminiscent of a slave-selling bloc.
However, each slave moves from plantation to plantation with no control over
where and when, does not get paid, and suffers indignities and pain
unfathomable to the modern person. Dana, in hindsight realizes this and recants
her categorizing the temp agency as a "slave market." (52)This in
turn sheds light onto the conclusion that the "scars of slavery" have
not disappeared, shown symbolically through Dana. At the conclusion of the
novel, Dana’s arm is stuck in the past, held by Rufus. Rufus becomes the
representation of "the long arm of slavery." That which reaches out
although slavery has long been abolished. As Dana’s scars do not heal when she
returns to 1976, the scars of slavery are still present. The consequences of
slavery are still prevalent in our society today, what with the continuing
battle for civil rights and for affirmative action. It seems that much like
Dana, we cannot escape the results of slavery without making a huge sacrifice.Ultimately,
time travel lets Octavia Butler convey her own views on slavery, and the
brutality of it. However, her main point is that although we have advanced
through the last century, bigotry is still a major problem in our society. And,
in order for any major progress to be had, each side will suffer losses, as
Rufus’ life was taken along with Dana’s arm.