How Society Influences Individuals in Kindred

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     Octavia Butler's novel Kindred deftly examines how a person's environment shapes them through the experiences of a number of characters, including Rufus, Kevin, and protagonist Dana. In the book, Dana's first-hand account of being abruptly and frequently propelled back in time to the early 19th century-where she is forced to face the brutal reality of slavery-is explored. Repeatedly, she is transported back to the plantation where her ancestors were held as slaves. Dana must make her way through this harsh environment while trying to keep herself alive by protecting Rufus, her white ancestor.

    Dana is forced to survive in an environment that is cruel and unfair, which harms her identity. She must navigate through a world where her own survival is in jeopardy. As Butler notes in an interview, "Antebellum slavery didn't leave people quite whole." The institution of slavery, which has its roots in systemic racism, leaves people like Dana broken and incomplete, which Butler emphasizes by making Dana lose part of her arm. Through her experiences in the early 19th century, Kindred helps readers understand the long-lasting consequences of slavery on both people and society at large. Dana's every action is monitored and her basic rights are taken away as she is continuously transported back in time to an era where the inhuman system of slavery is normalized, and eventually Dana's wellbeing is greatly impacted by this environment.

    Another character greatly influenced by his environment is Rufus Weylin. He lives in an era that normalizes the exploitation and oppression of African Americans. Due to his upbringing in the prejudices and social systems of slavery, Rufus demonstrates attitudes and actions that are greatly impacted by the society in which he was raised. Dana, who is constantly transported back in time to save Rufus, tries to change Rufus' habits, but the influence of society around him exceeds Dana's leading him to rely on and abuse his power over his slaves. Rufus is an excellent example of how societies norms shape a person's mindset and actions, demonstrating their impact on Rufus' personal growth.

    Dana mistakenly takes her spouse Kevin with her as she travels back in time. He appears to think that life on the plantation wasn't that bad and views history as an intellectual curiosity. When Dana proceeds to the present without him, he encounters the harsh reality of slavery, which causes a profound shift in his perspective on the 19th century. Kevin's preconceived notions are challenged as he observes the atrocities of slavery following Dana's departure. Kevin eventually aids enslaved people in escaping to freedom, and his knowledge of racial dynamics grows, leading him to develop empathy and compassion for slaves. The 19th century setting ultimately causes Kevin to change his perception of race relations and history.

    When trying to better understand Butler's novel, it is important to understand how society influences different individuals. Through the experiences of characters like Dana, Rufus, and Kevin, we can understand how living in different environments can change a person, whether for good or for worse. Butler emphasizes that the people, places, and experiences around us can influence our behaviors and ultimately define who we are as individuals.

Comments

  1. Bruce TangNovember 20, 2023 at 11:28 AM

    Hi Alina,

    Good post! I also think environment greatly impacted characters' lives. Dana, for one, loses an entire arm due to her experiences in the past. Dana tries to change Rufus into a Kevin-like character but fails as she does not live in the same environment as Rufus does. As the novel progresses, Rufus replaces Tom and in many ways grows into his place. Kevin's journeys do complicate this idea, though, since he is much less affected by the 19th century environment.

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  2. Ansh SinghNovember 28, 2023 at 1:51 PM

    Great post Alina! I completely agree. Even with Dana's attempts in changing Rufus' mindset, like when she told him to stop using the n-word when addressing slaves, Rufus still becomes a product of his environment (like his father). It's difficult for Dana to change Rufus' views, as environmental influence, in my opinion, is stronger than any influence that Dana had. When you have everybody you know telling you one thing and just one tiny voice (Dana's) telling you the opposite, it's hard to be on the side of the smaller voice.

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  3. Maryalice KleinNovember 29, 2023 at 11:25 AM

    Alina, a truly phenomenal post! This really inspired me! Even though Dana attempts to influence Rufus, his environment ends up changing him, which we can see as we see him age. Due to Dana's limited time with Rufus and him living in a society where slavery is normalized, it ends up changing Rufus into using his power aganist his slaves.

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  4. Callie StanderferNovember 29, 2023 at 8:48 PM

    Your post has neatly and precisly described Kindred's intent and in-novel influences! I love how you took the examples of both Rufus and Kevin and how yes the enviorment shaped both of them, but the outcomes are very different. It does get much more confusing when contemplating how being raised in the 20th century vs 19th century comes into play when thinking about living in the 19th century... time travel stuff hurts my head. Great job!

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  5. BonnieDecember 1, 2023 at 1:24 PM

    I like that you explore how the 19th century environment influenced Dana, Rufus, and Kevin. Because Dana and Kevin are originally from the 20th century, the 19th century influences them a bit differently. This is evident in the difference between Rufus and Kevin and their treatment of Dana.

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  6. MitchellDecember 1, 2023 at 1:49 PM

    I definitely think it's important, when contemplating the novel's view of societal influence, to note how much Dana herself is affected by this time in the past. The environment shapes her, despite all of her 20th century knowledge and presumed defenses against this influence--the "distance" she tries to maintain. For me, one of the most chilling lines in the novel is when she observes "how easily slaves are made," and I have a similar reaction in "The Storm," when she finally gets back to the Weylin house and views it as "home," since she's spent FAR more time there than at her own home (which she's only just moved into) back in 1976. This simple feeling--"ah, I'm home"--even with all its ambivalence shows us "how slaves are made." Dana comes to understand why the enslaved people on the Weylin plantation would be disinclined to try to escape, no matter how bad their lives on the plantation are. It's their "home," and Dana, to her surprise, comes to feel the same way.

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  7. Larissa DolcosDecember 1, 2023 at 2:40 PM

    Nice post! I agree that Butler really uses her book to illustrate the phenomena of nature vs. nurture. Each character changes significantly throughout the book, and we can see that the main determining factor ends up being the environment that they were in. Dana tried to fix Rufus, but he was ultimately too affected by his everyday life.

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  8. BenDecember 11, 2023 at 11:19 PM

    I liked your observations regarding Kevin’s personal growth. I did not pick up on how his time spent in the past might have improved him in some way, making him more sympathetic. It is interesting how the experience of antebellum slavery affects Kevin, Dana, and Rufus in different ways. Nice post, Alina.

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