Falling into Roles
Kindred was somewhat of a let down for me in character development. I thought that as we progressed through the novel, we would see contradictions and/or changes in character behavior that would alter the previously established interrelationships in an unexpected fashion. For example, once Kevin lived in the 1800’s, I thought his views would become influenced by the antebellum South and they would return with him to 1976. As a result, their relationship would not be able to return to what it was before time traveling began. We see glimpses of Dana and Kevin’s time together that would imply that there are certain power struggles between the two. I thought that these ideologies would become intensified in the 1800‘s. Although Kevin makes a few offhand comments that would point at this development when he first arrives, they appear to disappear during his 5 years in the South and are never mentioned again. In the epilogue, we see that the two remain a couple and there is little evidence that their relationship has changed. Thus, Kevin falls into a role in the 1800’s and is finally able to return to his expected role in 1976.
Similarly, all of the characters fall into their expected roles. Rufus grows up to be similar to his father, even though we see glimpses of a more fair man through his childhood behavior with Nigel and Alice and the way he treats Dana. Tom Wyelin is forever a slave owner that values his slaves as property and he never has a breakthrough compassionate moment. Dana adjusts to slave life in the 1800’s, but it barely effects how she views her own time (1976) when she returns. The only major changes to her daily life in 1976 are caused by a fear of time traveling so she doesn’t drive and avoids going outside. Lastly, Kevin, who appears to have changed the most and has a hard time adjusting back, is also able to separate his life in the 1800’s from his present as shown in the epilogue and going out with his friends to a sporting event. As a result, the novel brings up the question (which was mentioned in class) of what influences us. How much power does Dana have in Rufus’ growth even though one of her roles is to nurture him? Does society in our time period have an influence? Do other societies not have influential power (i.e. Dana falls into slave role, but knows that she is actually a free woman in her present so when she returns to 1976 she can disregard the torture she went through because it is not present anymore)?
On a final note, the novel does a great job in showing how Dana and Kevin must adapt to the 1800’s and how life in general is drastically different from 1976. But, it does not fully demonstrate how the characters are changed by their experience except that Dana is able to use her memories to write a novel. What does she carry back with her to 1976 from the 1800’s?
I think that this novel shows how strongly the society that we grow up in effects us. It is true that Dana and Kevin adapt to the society of the antebellum south quite well but as Dana says she is just acting in order to survive. A few months in a new society does not drastically alter beliefs she has gained from her life in 1976. Even though Kevin is trapped for 5 years, 1976 was his home for much longer. I do not think that even after 5 years in a male dominated society he would return to 1976 and see Dana as anything less than how he always saw her.
ReplyDeleteIt is a shame that Dana cannot implant enough 1976 ideology in Rufus to prevent his development into a plantation owner, but Dana had maybe a couple years with him total. It would take a lot more than that to counter the ideology he learned from growing up where he did, being raised by the parents he had.
I agree though that readers are not given a chance to see how Dana and Kevin’s life has changed as a result of their extraordinary experience or how their relationship has changed. Perhaps that is left to us to figure out.
I agree with you completely regarding the development of Rufus' character. Throughout the book I felt almost frustrated when, after taking steps toward what looked like a new understanding of slavery, he fell right back into the social norms of his day and age. I felt that he had everything needed to change but he didn't have the will. The fact that Alice continuously rejects him is what causes him to not make this transformation. It amazing that although she was great friends with him she decides to marry a black man, because he is black. The times effect how she sees things as well and cause her to have a bias view against marrying the one I believe she truly loved, Rufus.
ReplyDelete