Kindred by Octavia Butler Octavia Butler's Kindred is about the time travels of a contemporary black woman into the past-specifically, into the time of slavery. The novel actually begins after the time travels are over. These journeys into the past are, in fact, framed by a Prologue and an Epilogue. It would seem, then, that Butler's purpose in the novel is not simply to recreate the slave era for her readers (as other writers have done). Butler's decision to write about a contemporary black woman who travels back in time suggests at least two important ideas: 1. The real subject of the novel is not slavery as such but an historical understanding of slavery. 2. A knowledge of the past, of history, must therefore be crucial to our heroine's contemporary identity. Study/Discussion Questions: Overall Structure and Themes in Kindred 1. Consider the opening sentence of the novel. Why does Butler begin the novel in this way? Why does she emphasize Dana's loss of her arm? What are the implications of this loss? 2. Closely examine the context in which Dana's first time travel occurs. What are she and Kevin doing? What is the date? What ideas does Butler suggest through these details? 3. What are the traits and qualities that make Kevin and Dana "kindred spirits"? In what ways are they both different from other people? How does their marriage extend their non-conformity? How does their marriage affect their connections to other people? 4. What have been the sources of conflict between Dana and Kevin before the time travels begin? How important are these during the time travels? 5. Much of the information we learn about Dana and Kevin is interspersed in the narrative between the time travels. Why does Butler choose to present this background information about her characters in this way? 6. What are the symbolic implications of the fact that Dana has no control over her time travels while Kevin must make a conscious decision to travel with Dana? 7. Is there a progression of sorts in Dana's time travels? Can you chart these? Consider the overall structure of the novel. If the novel as a whole charts Dana's progressive understanding of slavery, how would you describe the stages of that growth in understanding? What significant knowledge does she acquire in each of the chapters? • Prologue Dana has come back from her final travel, minus an arm. • The River In this very short travel, Dana acts quickly and decisively to save Rufus from drowning. She knows nothing of the time period into which she has traveled. • The Fire In this travel, Dana puts out the fire in Rufus's room, but later, at Alice's cabin, she cannot charge to the rescue. She learns during this travel that she is visiting Maryland during slavery. • • • • • The Fall For Dana's first prolonged time travel, she has Kevin with her--who is a protector of sorts. She begins during this travel to involve herself in the slave community. For the first time, she acts the role of the slave, even though she is protected in ways the slaves are not. The Fight For the first time, Dana both witnesses slavery and is treated as a slave herself without the benefit of a white male protector. The Storm Again, Dana travels alone and is subjected to the most brutal treatment she has yet received. She attempts suicide as a way of returning home. The Rope Dana's final visit, when she discovers the dead Alice. Dana must kill Rufus. Epilogue Dana and Kevin visit Maryland together to search for documentation of what happened. 8. In what ways does the novel suggest that one must be socialized into being a slave? What is involved in such socialization? 9. Consider Dana's relationship with Alice. What similarities between the two women does the novel emphasize? What is the significance of these similarities? Why is Alice unable to survive? 10. How do Rufus and his father use the slaves themselves as instruments of control? And how do they control the relationships the slaves have with each other? 11. What is the significance of Dana's killing of Rufus? Why is his attempt to rape her so horrifying? The Characters in Kindred 1. Consider Kevin's experiences during his time travels. How is Kevin affected? How does he change? What is the significance of the scar he bears? 2. Characterize Rufus. Why do you think Butler first introduces Dana (and the reader) to Rufus when he is a child? How does Rufus change in the course of growing up? 3. Why is Rufus so determined to have Alice? Does he love Alice? 4. Are there parallels between the Rufus-Alice relationship and the Kevin-Dana relationship? How does our understanding of the first affect our understanding of and reaction to the latter? 5. Why does Butler make Kevin a white man? How would the novel be different if he were black? 6. Consider the character of Margaret Weylin. In what ways does she fit the image of the "true woman" that was discussed in our introductory lecture? What kind of character is she?
