Podcast
Questions and Answers
Who is the author of the book Kindred?
Who is the author of the book Kindred?
Octavia Butler
What two things make Octavia Butler unique?
What two things make Octavia Butler unique?
She is a black woman science fiction writer
What is the setting of Kindred?
What is the setting of Kindred?
Altadena, California 1976 and Maryland 1815
Who is the protagonist in Kindred?
Who is the protagonist in Kindred?
What does the word antebellum mean?
What does the word antebellum mean?
Why is Dana Franklin in the hospital at the beginning of the book?
Why is Dana Franklin in the hospital at the beginning of the book?
According to her husband, how long was Dana gone the first time?
According to her husband, how long was Dana gone the first time?
When she finds Rufus on her second visit, what has he done?
When she finds Rufus on her second visit, what has he done?
Explain the title Kindred.
Explain the title Kindred.
Why/How does Dana get called to the past, and then called home?
Why/How does Dana get called to the past, and then called home?
According to her husband, how long is she gone the second time?
According to her husband, how long is she gone the second time?
How old is Rufus during her first visit?
How old is Rufus during her first visit?
According to Rufus, how many slaves does his father own?
According to Rufus, how many slaves does his father own?
What do people keep thinking Dana is a man?
What do people keep thinking Dana is a man?
Who is Hagar Weylin?
Who is Hagar Weylin?
What is a Patrol?
What is a Patrol?
What does Dana agree to call Rufus?
What does Dana agree to call Rufus?
Why/How does Dana know the names and much about several of the people she meets in the past?
Why/How does Dana know the names and much about several of the people she meets in the past?
All blacks were assumed to be what unless they had what?
All blacks were assumed to be what unless they had what?
When a man is attempting to rape Dana, what is she unable to do to save herself?
When a man is attempting to rape Dana, what is she unable to do to save herself?
Why is Alice's father nearly whipped to death?
Why is Alice's father nearly whipped to death?
What event causes Dana to return to the present the first time?
What event causes Dana to return to the present the first time?
What causes Dana to return to the present the second time?
What causes Dana to return to the present the second time?
What do free blacks need with them at all times?
What do free blacks need with them at all times?
Why was it against the law in some states to teach slaves to read and write?
Why was it against the law in some states to teach slaves to read and write?
Where/How do Dana and Kevin originally meet?
Where/How do Dana and Kevin originally meet?
Why is Kevin leaving his job?
Why is Kevin leaving his job?
What has happened to Rufus which calls Dana back this chapter?
What has happened to Rufus which calls Dana back this chapter?
Who is Carrie?
Who is Carrie?
Why does Margaret Weylin dislike Dana?
Why does Margaret Weylin dislike Dana?
Why does Dana get whipped by Tom Weylin in The Fall?
Why does Dana get whipped by Tom Weylin in The Fall?
What is different about Dana's trip to the past in The Fall?
What is different about Dana's trip to the past in The Fall?
Where do Kevin and Dana say they're from?
Where do Kevin and Dana say they're from?
What is Dana and Kevin's supposed relationship?
What is Dana and Kevin's supposed relationship?
About how old is Rufus in The Fall?
About how old is Rufus in The Fall?
Why can't Kevin and Dana simply explain they're married?
Why can't Kevin and Dana simply explain they're married?
Who is Nigel?
Who is Nigel?
When Tom Weylin first sees Rufus after his fall, what is Tom's main concern?
When Tom Weylin first sees Rufus after his fall, what is Tom's main concern?
What do Dana and the other temporary workers refer to their agency as in 1976?
What do Dana and the other temporary workers refer to their agency as in 1976?
What is the irony of Dana calling the agency a slave market?
What is the irony of Dana calling the agency a slave market?
What is the age difference between Kevin and Dana?
What is the age difference between Kevin and Dana?
How old is Dana?
How old is Dana?
Why does Dana think the cookhouse is a 'safe place'?
Why does Dana think the cookhouse is a 'safe place'?
What is it that Dana worries about after watching the children play their game?
What is it that Dana worries about after watching the children play their game?
What 'game' is it that the children are playing?
What 'game' is it that the children are playing?
Why does 'Marse Tom' not like Dana according to Sarah?
Why does 'Marse Tom' not like Dana according to Sarah?
What happened to all but one of Sarah's children?
What happened to all but one of Sarah's children?
What 'job' does Tom Weylin offer to Kevin?
What 'job' does Tom Weylin offer to Kevin?
Where is Kevin during The Fight?
Where is Kevin during The Fight?
Where did Kevin and Dana go to get married?
Where did Kevin and Dana go to get married?
How long is Dana at home (present) at the beginning of The Fight before she is called to the past?
How long is Dana at home (present) at the beginning of The Fight before she is called to the past?
What year is it now in the past?
What year is it now in the past?
About how old is Rufus at the beginning of The Fight?
About how old is Rufus at the beginning of The Fight?
When Alice and Isaac are captured and returned, what is Alice's punishment?
When Alice and Isaac are captured and returned, what is Alice's punishment?
Who owns Alice?
Who owns Alice?
What upsetting feeling does Dana experience this time when she returns to the past and gets close to the Weylin house?
What upsetting feeling does Dana experience this time when she returns to the past and gets close to the Weylin house?
Why does Tom Weylin pay a preacher to perform a 'real' wedding for Nigel and Carrie?
Why does Tom Weylin pay a preacher to perform a 'real' wedding for Nigel and Carrie?
Who is Jake Edwards?
Who is Jake Edwards?
Who was the overseer before Jake?
Who was the overseer before Jake?
What is an overseer?
What is an overseer?
What does Rufus ask Dana to speak with Alice about?
What does Rufus ask Dana to speak with Alice about?
Who is Liza?
Who is Liza?
During The Fight, how long has Dana been separated from Kevin in plantation time?
During The Fight, how long has Dana been separated from Kevin in plantation time?
Why did Rufus not send Dana's letters to Kevin?
Why did Rufus not send Dana's letters to Kevin?
What event at the end of The Fight sends Dana back to the present?
What event at the end of The Fight sends Dana back to the present?
How long did Alice and Isaac run away?
How long did Alice and Isaac run away?
What 'story' do Dana and Rufus give to Tom Weylin to explain Rufus's injuries at the beginning of The Fight?
What 'story' do Dana and Rufus give to Tom Weylin to explain Rufus's injuries at the beginning of The Fight?
How do Tom and Rufus learn that Dana is gone?
How do Tom and Rufus learn that Dana is gone?
Why does Dana attempt to escape?
Why does Dana attempt to escape?
Why is Margaret Weylin no longer living at the Weylin plantation?
Why is Margaret Weylin no longer living at the Weylin plantation?
Who is Isaac Jackson?
Who is Isaac Jackson?
At the beginning of Storm, Dana and Kevin have returned to the present. How long was Dana gone in present time?
At the beginning of Storm, Dana and Kevin have returned to the present. How long was Dana gone in present time?
How long was Kevin alone in the past in present time?
How long was Kevin alone in the past in present time?
How long was Kevin alone in plantation time?
How long was Kevin alone in plantation time?
According to Kevin, the 'Only time I ever...eager to be going to a place' was when?
According to Kevin, the 'Only time I ever...eager to be going to a place' was when?
When Dana returns to the past in the storm, is she alone or with Kevin?
When Dana returns to the past in the storm, is she alone or with Kevin?
Where does Dana discover Rufus in the Storm?
Where does Dana discover Rufus in the Storm?
In plantation time, how long has Dana been gone in the Storm?
In plantation time, how long has Dana been gone in the Storm?
Mr. Weylin notices a scab on Dana's face. Where had it come from?
Mr. Weylin notices a scab on Dana's face. Where had it come from?
What about Dana's clothes does Tom Weylin find offensive?
What about Dana's clothes does Tom Weylin find offensive?
What is the modern term for 'ague'?
What is the modern term for 'ague'?
When Tom Weylin tells Dana to take care of Rufus, what does he say to 'motivate her'?
When Tom Weylin tells Dana to take care of Rufus, what does he say to 'motivate her'?
Dana shares the same feelings for Rufus as the other slaves. All at the same time they...
Dana shares the same feelings for Rufus as the other slaves. All at the same time they...
Alice asks Rufus to free their son. He agrees, but what does he not do?
Alice asks Rufus to free their son. He agrees, but what does he not do?
When Alice has her baby, what does she name it?
When Alice has her baby, what does she name it?
What is the significance of the name Hagar?
What is the significance of the name Hagar?
Rufus discovers it's not illegal to do what in Maryland?
Rufus discovers it's not illegal to do what in Maryland?
At the end of Storm, what does Rufus do for the first time?
At the end of Storm, what does Rufus do for the first time?
What triggers Dana's return to the present in the Storm?
What triggers Dana's return to the present in the Storm?
How does Tom Weylin die?
How does Tom Weylin die?
What does Rufus do to punish Dana for his father's death?
What does Rufus do to punish Dana for his father's death?
Why does Rufus tell Dana, 'You let him die' after Tom's death?
Why does Rufus tell Dana, 'You let him die' after Tom's death?
How many children has Alice now had with Rufus?
How many children has Alice now had with Rufus?
What does Rufus threaten to do if Dana disobeys him?
What does Rufus threaten to do if Dana disobeys him?
Who is Evan Fowler?
Who is Evan Fowler?
Dana is surprised that Rufus wants her to care for whom?
Dana is surprised that Rufus wants her to care for whom?
What is a coffle?
What is a coffle?
When Tess and the others are sold, what reason does Rufus give?
When Tess and the others are sold, what reason does Rufus give?
What does Rufus mean when he says, 'Behold the woman...you really are only one woman. Did you know that?'
What does Rufus mean when he says, 'Behold the woman...you really are only one woman. Did you know that?'
What is Rufus's Christmas present to Alice?
What is Rufus's Christmas present to Alice?
Study Notes
Author and Uniqueness
- Octavia Butler is the author of "Kindred".
- She is a distinctive figure as a black woman writing in the science fiction genre.
Setting
- The narrative unfolds in Altadena, California, in 1976, and rural Maryland in 1815.
Protagonist
- The main character of the story is Dana Franklin.
Historical Context
- The term "antebellum" refers to the period before the American Civil War.
- The narrative addresses themes of slavery and its historical implications.
Plot Elements
- Dana experiences a traumatic event when her arm is amputated, indicating the physical and emotional toll of her time travel.
- Timelines in the past become relevant when her survival is intertwined with the life of Rufus Weylin, who is linked to her ancestry.
Relationships and Characters
- Rufus is a complex character whom Dana encounters multiple times, highlighting dynamics of dependency and power.
- Hagar Weylin is introduced as Dana's great-great-grandmother, establishing familial connections.
- The character of Alice represents the struggles of enslaved women, particularly highlighting her fate during the narrative.
Slavery and Freedom
- The importance of "free papers" is emphasized, showcasing the legal restrictions on black individuals during that era.
- "Patrols" are discussed as white individuals who policed for runaway slaves, illustrating the dangers faced by enslaved people.
Themes of Control and Obedience
- Dana's relationship with Rufus evolves into a complex mix of dependency and resistance against the backdrop of oppression.
- Key events highlight Dana's attempts to navigate her situation, including her refusal to accept Rufus's advances and her struggles for autonomy.
- The narrative critiques the dynamics of power as demonstrated through various character interactions, including with Kevin, Dana's husband, who faces his own challenges in the past.
Significant Events
- A notable instance of threat occurs when Dana is nearly assaulted, emphasizing the ever-present danger she faces.
- Throughout her time-travel experiences, Dana frequently returns to the present when her life is in jeopardy, illustrating the perilous balance between her two worlds.
Symbolism and Irony
- The irony of Dana calling her job agency a "slave market" is juxtaposed with her experiences in the past, deepening the sense of historical continuity and trauma.
- Various characters represent broader societal issues, such as racial prejudice and the complexities of gender dynamics within the context of slavery.
Historical Realities
- The laws against educating slaves and the consequences of literacy are critically examined, pointing to the fear of empowerment.
- The narrative illustrates the harsh realities of slave life, including brutality and loss, as characters like Alice and her husband Isaac confront dire circumstances.
Conclusion
- The ending of the narrative serves as a culmination of both Dana's personal journey and the broader themes of oppression, resilience, and the enduring impact of history on identity.
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Description
Test your knowledge on 'Kindred' by Octavia Butler, exploring its characters, historical context, and major themes. Delve into the complexities of Dana Franklin's journey through time and her relationship with Rufus Weylin. Examine the profound implications of slavery and ancestry in this unique narrative.
