Kindred The Fire Flashcards

Study Notes

Dana's Experience and Time Travel

Dana is haunted by her past experience in the river; despite cleaning herself, she continues to feel the emotional impact.
She declines Kevin's invitation to go out for food, preferring to have it delivered, indicative of her stress.
Dana experiences dizziness followed by a sudden transportation to a bedroom, highlighting her time travel mechanism.

Rufus and the Fire Incident

Rufus is caught lighting the bedroom drapes on fire; Dana intervenes by extinguishing the flames and throwing the drapes out the window.
The transition from sunny California to the dark atmosphere in Maryland illustrates her sudden shift in time and place.
This is Dana's second encounter assisting Rufus, signaling a developing relationship that diverges from her previous travel experiences.

Recognition of Rufus

Dana initially doubts Rufus's identity due to his older appearance; he is eventually confirmed to be Rufus when he speaks with a Southern accent.
Dana tries to extract Rufus's memories of their previous interactions, including a drowning incident where he imagined seeing her.

Understanding Racial Context and Relationships

Rufus is confused about Dana's origin; he reflects on her presence in his life, leading to discussions about whether she's a ghost or real.
Dana confronts Rufus's use of racial slurs, asserting her identity and challenging the notions of race in their interactions.
Rufus reveals his motivations for burning down the house, stemming from abusive treatment from his father, underscoring themes of violence and revenge.

Realization of Family Ties

Dana discovers her familial connection to Rufus through the name "Rufus Weylin" from her family Bible, making the narrative deeply personal.
Understanding her lineage, Dana sees Sara as a key figure in her ancestry as Rufus’s wife and the mother of Hagar, her great-grandmother.

Rufus’ Perceptions and the Plantation Context

Rufus finds Dana's appearance unique; there are 38 slaves on the plantation, and he doesn't associate her with their looks.
The argument regarding Rufus's insistence on being called "master" highlights the struggle for power dynamics and safety within the plantation context.

Plans for Safety

Rufus claims to have heard Dana and Kevin's voices before her arrival, indicating a psychic connection across time and space.
With the threat of discovery looming, Dana seeks refuge at Alice’s house, demonstrating her reliance on Rufus amidst danger.
To protect Rufus from his father's wrath, Dana advises him to burn the evidence of the drapes she saved him from burning down.

Description

Explore key concepts and terms from pages 18 to 32 of 'Kindred' focusing on Dana's experiences. These flashcards will help reinforce your understanding of the events and emotional moments in the story. Perfect for studying or revising the text's themes and character dynamics.