Hell and Heaven

Life is what we make it to be. Our struggles our happiness, our loves, is for us to decide. When people are able to recognize this, they are able to transcend all aspects of time. Dana soon realized that Rufus’s struggle was her greatest sources of happiness.  Rufus made her feel needed, more than any other man ever had. Rufus made Dana not only realize her greatest love, but also her greatest fear. She was transported to a world where African Americans are slaves. This concept to Dana is not just a different period of time, but a surreal experience of her own personal hell. She was forced to live a life that diminished her existence. Dana was in a world that no matter what she did her actual life was worth less than the family mule. In this aspect Rufus was the shining light in her life. Through Rufus acknowledging her as a human being she was able to experience heaven even in hell. This experience was Dana’s greatest happiness in the mist of her greatest struggle. Granted with Kevin there she felt safer, but Kevin is unable to transport her spiritually, to a level where she experiences the greatest amount of peace. He is just able to guide her through hell. In addition, Rufus in a sense becomes a transcended being to Dana. This action means Dana must have overbearing faith in Rufus’s ability to ensure her overall survival. Her relationship with Rufus is not of a slave to their master, but the relationship between a human and God.