Kindred A Narrative Of African American Slaves And White...

Octavia Butler’s novel Kindred is a narrative regarding African American slaves and White slave owners in the 1816. Butler accounts regarding slavery are depicted through time travel from 1976 to 1816 by a character named Dana. The novel explores many different themes and providing many different messages. The theme of time travel is used as an outlet to connect the reader to the fact that slavery has had a lasting impact on past and present day societies. One message that Butler provides to the reader is that slavery did not only affect black people of the slavery era, it affects black people of today’s generation, as well as Caucasian people of that generation and today’s era. The character Dana is mysteriously transported from her home in 1976 back to 1816. She experiences the daily routines of a slave in the 1816. She becomes accustomed to the oppression that she is forced to encounter. For instances, the first time Rufus refers to her a nigger (Butler 25-31), she becomes defensive, but over time the more she is in his environment, she begins to makes excuses to justify his actions (Butler 60-61). There are many points in the novel that contradict what society believes happened to all slaves. Rumors that slaves only picked cotton, and there always being an overseer watching the slavery work, are not presented in the novel. The many twists on Butler’s narrative in this piece leave readers to question many of the long lasting statements told to them aboutShow MoreRelatedSlave Narratives : A Darker Side Of American History900 Words   |  4 PagesSlave Narratives: A Darker Side of American History How would we be able to fully understand history only knowing one-side of the story? If this was the case, American History would be an amazing story of liberty, expansion, and the foundation of American democracy as the most fair and honest government created in the world today. However, this is not the case thankfully due to novels, interviews, and autobiographies written by Americans who’ve felt the painful sting of the other side of AmericanRead MoreKindred, By Octavia Butler1061 Words   |  5 Pages Published June 1971,Octavia Butler’s science fiction narrative, Kindred, gives a glimpse into how life was for African Americans during slavery in the Antebellum South. Kindred serves as a time portal between the 1800s and the year 1976. As the main character Dana goes from an 1800’s plantation to her home in 1976 it is obvious that time period changed, however being that Dana is constantly back and forth between the two times, she is able to see exactly how drastic the change was and what libertiesRead MoreAnalysis Of The Writing Style Of Octavia Butler1432 Words   |  6 Pages Tinotenda Muchenje Dr. Shinn Sophomore Seminar 25 September 2017 First Essay Assignment Kindred By Octavia Butler The writing style of Octavia Butler is heavily influenced by her historical period and her life experiences. This is evident through investigation of her historical period, life experiences, her novel; Kindred. Butler’s writing is a unique mixture of neo- slave narratives, exaggerated tales, cultural rituals, fantasy, folklore, science fiction, and spirituality. Butler usesRead MoreOverview. Octavia Butler’S Kindred Focuses On The Perspective1731 Words   |  7 PagesOverview Octavia Butler’s Kindred focuses on the perspective of a black female within two drastically different societies ranging from the ideals of colonialism to a society of change and acceptance. Butler utilizes Dana’s position in society to portray the cruelty of slavery and the power that society can have on the ideals and morals of individuals, such as the developing character of Rufus. Throughout the book, the issue of slavery is addressed through a multitude of different themes that spanRead MoreDana s Use Of Literacy As A Mean Of Agency Essay1699 Words   |  7 Pagesage where African Americans were expected to be unintelligent. However, her knowledge often serves as a hurdle for her as the white individuals around her are intimidated by that power she holds. Dana is told by other slaves that she sounded more white like white folks than some white folks(Butler, 74). 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However, the narrative itself is fascinating in the way it confronts history in order to deconstruct it and rebuild it. D ana’s journey to antebellum Maryland enables the reader to take a new look at characters they though they knew, like Sarah’s role as the â€Å"mammy.† Butler’s blending of the Neo-slave narrative genre and Fantasy allows her protagonist to getRead MoreThroughout Some Slave Narratives, Slave Holders Who Are1131 Words   |  5 Pages Throughout some slave narratives, slave holders who are Christians are questioned. African- Americans notice the hypocrisy that characterized white Christianity, pointing out the contradiction between God s word and slaveholders cruelty and inhumane way of treating slaves. Slaves noticed this difference, modified their Christian beliefs to become a part of their daily life. Religion became an escape away from their reality. 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Dana comes face to face with many obstacles and is forced to deal with her people’s past (Harris) until she returns to her present day life in California. Throughout the book; Dana continues to save Rufus, her ancestor, and slowly begins to accept slavery in order to survive. Dana