Octavia Butler’s kindred demonstrates every social inequality since the 1800’s. There is the race discrimination, which is the most prominent, but also the limitations of women and even class. I’m enjoying the character Dana. I love the way she establishes her and Rufus’s equality; at least as much as she dares in antebellum south.
Here are a couple of notes I jotted down while reading.
-The book even includes modern day racism. Sort of the after effect of 1800’s.
-I’m assuming the book will end around the time Hagar is born (1831). So 16 years will go by.
-Since Kevin has been stuck in the 1800’s he might spend too long there and learn to adapt and maybe except their way of living. Why doesn’t he attempt to kill Rufus? Though that might make things dangerous for Dana when she returns.
-Rufus feels slavery is essential to social acceptance
-I don’t think Rufus sent the letters. He is used to controlling, or at least having some degree of authority over, the women around him. His mother included.
-Throughout the book Dana has such perfect grammar. Even Rufus called her a walking book. (To which she said, “Then I hope Kevin did a good job teaching you to read”! Ha, I love it!) Well on page 180 Dana says “She forgave him nothing.” Guess she gave in to the southern accent!
-Kevin loves Dana as a mother figure. At one point I found myself pitying him.
2 comments:
Lauren,
I'm interested in what you thought about Butler's decision to include modern day racism. Did you find that this "worked"--that it made the book seem more relevant? Or did it seem forced to you? Or somewhere in between?
I thought your point about Rufus's ability to control women was really insightful and helpful. Why do you think he treats Dana differently? Or do you think he treats Dana differently?
Any thoughts from others out there about the relationship between Rufus and Dana?
Those comments and “jokes” Dana’s boss made or, to generalize, the whole attitude he had toward Dana and her boyfriend gave me the impression that Bulter was trying impress upon us the aftereffects of legalized racism. Thought there was a point I thought the concept was little over the top, and like you said it felt forced.
I think Rufus treats Dana differently to an extent. You know this I had trouble deciding on. He still didn’t treat her well, though he certainly treated her different. He never tolerated her scoldings, except as a child, but there were times she could use their strange relationship as a threat which, although he would throw a tantrum, it usually had a good effect. He still always had that underlying superiority.
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