Warning: Use of undefined constant referer - assumed 'referer' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 102

Warning: Use of undefined constant host - assumed 'host' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 105

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays:102) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 106

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays:102) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 109
Kindred - Online Paper

Kindred


Octavia Butler’s novel 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 ...

Want to read the rest of this paper?
Join Essayworld today to view this entire essay
and over 50,000 other term papers

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 ...

Get instant access to over 50,000 essays.
Write better papers. Get better grades.


Already a member? Login

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, ...

Succeed in your coursework without stepping into a library.
Get access to a growing library of notes, book reports,
and research papers in 2 minutes or less.


CITE THIS PAGE:

Kindred. (2006, November 18). Retrieved December 23, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Kindred/55773
"Kindred." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 18 Nov. 2006. Web. 23 Dec. 2024. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Kindred/55773>
"Kindred." Essayworld.com. November 18, 2006. Accessed December 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Kindred/55773.
"Kindred." Essayworld.com. November 18, 2006. Accessed December 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Kindred/55773.
JOIN NOW
Join today and get instant access to this and 50,000+ other essays


PAPER DETAILS
Added: 11/18/2006 11:57:02 AM
Category: English
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 1444
Pages: 6

Save | Report

SHARE THIS PAPER

SAVED ESSAYS
Save and find your favorite essays easier

SIMILAR ESSAYS
» Pearl - A Product Of Nature (T
» Plan or Chance?: The Meaning o...
» The Kalapalo Indians
» Bible - Role Of Abraham
» Where Are You Going, Where Hav
» Everyman - Play Analysis
» Kinship
» Langston Hughes
» Romeo And Juliet
» Heart Of Darkness 4
Copyright | Cancel | Contact Us

Copyright © 2024 Essayworld. All rights reserved