Kindred

Posted: March 26th, 2020

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Kindred

Introduction

Kindred by Octavia Butler is a narrative based on Dana, who had her arm crushed inside a wall to her house. Dana had the power to go back in time, although she did not have the power of choice on any occasion and the destination. In the occurrence of going back, she kept heading to her ancestors Rufus Weylin. The young boy was seen at the slave plantation in the year 1815, thereby causing an unfriendly environment for Dana. In the events, Dana realized that she had to keep going back every moment to help save Rufus from the struggles of slavery. However, she realized that he would become a bad slave owner himself, and Dana was muddled with the dilemma of saving him in order for her birth to occur as a process, or else juts kill him and contemplate the aftermath. As events unfold, Dana kills Rufus, only for it to be concealed as done by a worker at the plantation. The narration ends when the gladness of Rufus’ death rents the air. The use of race and connection to slavery, help form the basis of Kindred.           

Discussion

Race is the major theme of the narration, and its significance keeps the plot developing throughout. Dana as the main character is instrumental in depicting the various struggles and tribulations by the African Americans at the time. The whites were majority at the time, and it showed in every aspect of their lives, through demoralizing of the African Americans. “Do your job! Go tell him! That’s what you for—to help white folks keep n—s down. That’s why he sent you to me. They be calling you mammy in a few years (Butler 114).” In the stated quotes, the work of African Americans were entailed to putting effort on the land owners’ vats plantation, as means of increasing their commercial value and wealth acquisition. The African Americans were only considered for this kind of work, as they were minority and different from the white population.

            Race is major factor in the in the determination of the characters’ treatment from other members of the society, thus depicting the true nature of people in the setting. For example, Dana epitomizes the treatment expected from the white majority, as she was African American. She could not be regarded as intelligent, independent, and with a strong personality. Thus, she was overlooked, due to her race to show the intent carried out by the white majority during the time as influences of slavery took root. In the same breadth, her fellow African Americans treated her with contempt. As compared to Alice’s life, the latter endured a better chance of survival as compared to Dana. She could not be idolized by the black community as they deemed her unfit for their mainstay. Instead, they should have been categorical in praising her and ensuring others followed the same path to redemption.  

            Race undermines the true nature of slavery in the narrative. Rather than enable the audience understands the identity of the brutal nature and treatment received by the African Americans working in the plantations, it was masked with the sort of expectation due to perceived nature of the African Americans. “You don’t want to hear me, get out of here. The way you always suckin’ up to that woman is enough to make a body sick (26).” in this exchange, Alice was wary of Dana’s respect and condoning of the white woman’s treatment to her without any objection. In stead, she questioned the need to sucking up to Margaret Weylin, the wife to the plantation owner. On the other hand, Dana confided that she only wanted to stay out of trouble by respecting and adhering to all rules delivered.

            Race is used to symbolize power in Kindred. Power in the narration was symbolic by the two categories of those who wielded it. For example, the white man’s power was depicted with the issue of the whip, whereas, the male representatives in the story also showed capacity of using power in both domestic and external settings. All in the same category used the excuse of race to define the boundaries of their application. In the first instance, the white man showed dominion over the African Americans by representing the whipping of dissenting members in the plantation. In the second instance, the African American male showed power through their domination over the female counterparts at the domestic households. In both instances, the wielding of power was amplified by the race factor. To the whites, their domination was accepted, while in the latter, it was castigated.

              The narration uses race to develop the reluctance of the society into accepting diversity into their cultures. In the plot development, the use of race enables the reader determine the difficulty perpetrated by cultural beliefs, practices, and mentality towards other races. “And we found Burger King and Holiday Inn and Texaco and schools with black kids and white kids together and older people who looked at Kevin and me, then looked again (Butler 47).” Dana stated that she knew even in the present circumstances, people were not yet ready to accept any form of inter racial marriages. She goes on to state that she knew, the United States of America would still face the same problems in later years, in similar circumstances, she equates to the situation in south Africa. The effects of apartheid, due to differences in race, were still experienced much later.

            Race in Kindred is used to symbolize the violent nature of humans. It is effective in depicting the double nature of different races and cultures. In the white culture, it was muted in terms of the human rights effect, while in the African American setting; it was admonished for its portrayal. The white plantation owners used violence to mistreat the workers under their jurisdiction. In support, fellow owners agreed to its uses as means of effective control and power among the African Americans. According to Butler (52), the black neighborhoods were associated with violence through occurrences like hangings, rape, whipping, dog attacks as well as brutalities. The aim was to show the rebellious nature of the African Americans by tolerating such violent practices, while demystifying the white men’s handling of the slaves.                   

Conclusion

The use of race and connection to slavery, help form the basis of Kindred. Through the recounts of Dana in the narration, various aspects of racial differences are encountered by the reader. They are instrumental in depicting the nature of the American people at the height of slavery and inequality. The author is effective in choosing race as the central theme, as it helps uncover various issues faced by the people, whether majority or minority, at the time. The experiences were instrumental in shaping the nation. 

Work Cited:

Butler, Octavia E. Kindred. Boston: Beacon Press, 2008. Print.