Kindred: Analysis of Major Characters
"Kindred: Analysis of Major Characters" explores the intricate relationships and dynamics between the key figures in Octavia Butler's novel "Kindred." The story centers on Dana Franklin, a twenty-six-year-old Black woman and the protagonist, who is suddenly transported from modern-day America to the antebellum South. Her husband, Kevin Franklin, a white man, joins her in this perilous journey, where they must navigate the complexities of their interracial marriage amid the brutal realities of slavery. Rufus Weylin, Dana's white ancestor and plantation owner, summons her to ensure his survival, leading to a relationship marked by power imbalance and dependency. Other notable characters include Tom Weylin, Rufus's cruel father, and Margaret Weylin, Rufus's emotionally troubled mother. Additionally, Alice Greenwood, Dana's great-great-grandmother, endures horrific treatment at Rufus's hands, complicating Dana's understanding of her own heritage. Through the lens of these characters, the narrative confronts themes of race, power, and the scars of history, inviting readers to reflect on the legacies of slavery and the complexities of human relationships across generations.
Kindred: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Octavia E. Butler
First published: 1979
Genre: Novel
Locale: The eastern shore of Maryland and Los Angeles, California
Plot: Science fiction
Time: The early nineteenth century and 1976
Edana (Dana) Franklin, the protagonist and narrator. A newly published author, Dana is a twenty-six-year-old black woman who has been married to Kevin Franklin, also an author, for four years. Dana is a modern American woman who is suddenly transported to the antebellum South. Her knowledge of medical practices allows her to help Rufus and some of the slaves.
Kevin Franklin, Dana's husband. Kevin, a white man, and Dana have a successful and mutually satisfying interracial marriage. When Kevin is transported to the past with Dana, he must pose as her master because no other relationship would be tolerated. This is as problematic for Kevin as it is for Dana.
Rufus Weylin, Dana's great-great-great-grandfather, a white plantation owner in antebellum Maryland. Rufus, by means Dana never discovers, summons Dana from the present to aid him in the past whenever his life is endangered. Rufus and Dana's relationship is based on mutual need. Rufus requires Dana's assistance in order to stay alive, and Dana must safeguard Rufus' life long enough for him to sire Dana's great-great-grandmother. Their relationship is brutally unequal, however, as Rufus is a white male slaveowner and Dana is a young black woman whom he enslaves. He resists Dana's efforts to rid him of his racism.
Tom Weylin, Rufus' father. Tom is a stereotypical white slaveowner. He is unpredictable, taking offense at the slightest infraction of his rules, and is without compassion for his slaves, beating them mercilessly when he deems it necessary. He uses female slaves sexually and discards mistresses when he tires of them. He separates families by selling fathers and children whenever he chooses.
Margaret Weylin, Rufus' mother. Margaret, who is emotionally unstable, dislikes and is jealous of Dana because of Dana's relationship with her son.
Alice Greenwood, Dana's great-great-grandmother. Rufus passionately loves the freedwoman Alice but uses her without regard for her feelings. He rapes her, beats her until she is near death after she attempts to escape with her slave husband, sells her husband, enslaves Alice, and keeps her as his mistress. Dana nurses Alice from the brink of death, helping her to regain memories that fled as a result of the trauma of her capture and her husband's torture and sale. Alice and Dana, who look much alike, have an ambivalent relationship. Although they aid each other, neither apparently likes the other. Alice forces Dana to confront her role on the plantation and challenges her loyalties to the other slaves. Alice eventually kills herself to be free of Rufus.
Sarah, the plantation cook. Sarah, a middle-aged, plump woman, appears to Dana almost as a stereotyped “Mammy,” in that she looks out for the other slaves and fiercely protects the children. Sarah is a multidimensional character, an able and compassionate woman who helps Dana learn the skills she needs to survive on the plantation.
Carrie, Sarah's daughter. All of Sarah's other children are sold, but Carrie, who is inexplicably mute, is allowed to remain with Sarah as a means of preventing Sarah from attempting to escape.
Nigel, a slave child and friend of Rufus in their youth. As an adult, he exerts a slight influence over Rufus. He is Carrie's husband and the father of her children.