Kindred Dana Relationship Analysis

There are different types of relationships, whether it be healthy or unhealthy, however, is it healthy to have a few complicated relationships. In Octavia Butler’s novel, Kindred Dana a black woman who lives in California, in 1976 is somehow able to time travel to save her ancestor Rufus Weylin, which she continuously has to do. Throughout Dana’s journey she comes across several new relationships, as well as encounters others relationships. Dana, must decide which relationships are there to stay whether they be with her husband Kevin, or her ancestor Rufus, while Alice needs to find a way to escape Rufus.
Dana’s relation with her husband Kevin for the most part is quite normal, however, gets trapped in another time, which complicates their relationship as husband and wife. In particular, when

Dana finally brought Kevin back he was different, not necessarily in a negative way but not a positive one either.

“With a sudden slash of his hand, he knocked both the sharpener and the cup of pencils from his desk”(Butler, 194). Kevin has recently returned to his home, nevertheless he seems to have acquired a temper, one similar Tom Weylin or Rufus. The one person he can talk about his experience is with Dana, which is a bit restrictive, but who’s to say that he will talk to her or instead he may treat her as a slave. In addition, after Kevin’s experience Dana is soon being sent back to save Rufus, yet Kevin makes no move to follow her. “He said something, but suddenly, there was too much noise for me to hear him-even if he had still been there”(Butler, 197). Dana wants Kevin to stay in California, instead of going to Maryland and possibly getting trapped. He has been through an experience no one should go through, but that is his wife’s life possibly on the line. Maybe Kevin does not love her anymore, as a result of being around people who hate black people. Kevin was surrounded by people for five years who treated other human beings so poorly, as a result, he possibly does not like Dana as a person. In

Dana and Kevin’s time their marital relationship is deemed as uncommon, comparing it to Rufus’ time it is seen as strange, as well as looked down by some. “That’s better than saying you’re his wife. Nobody would believe that”(Butler, 65). In today’s day Dana’ relationship with Kevin may be common, however, in Rufus’ time it is anything but common. Kevin’s perspective on being married to Dana is possibly ruined, as a result of all the people influencing him while he was stuck in a different time. If Kevin still loves Dana he could start treating her similarly to how husbands in the 1800’s treated their wives. It was not uncommon for men in the 1800’s to beat their wives, however, that is considered as abuse in Dana’s time. In brief, Kevin and Dana go through so much in a short amount of time, their relationship being challenged by the day, nevertheless Dana may not be safe if Kevin acts similar to those in the 1800’s.
Rufus’ relation with Alice is not healthy. There are many aspects that complicate their relationship. Two friends growing up , over the years turn into something ugly. “We grew up. She got so she’d rather have a buck nigger than me!”(Butler, 123). As Rufus grows up, he starts to show an interest in Alice, however, Alice feels no where near the same as Rufus. She only sees Rufus as a friend and nothing more, however, Rufus will do whatever he can to have her. Rufus is determined to win Alice over and is not fearing the consequences. Rufus knew Alice as a child, so would that not encourage him to show a bit of respect towards Alice. Instead, Rufus constantly is trying to get with Alice. “I wouldn’t have hurt her if she hadn’t kept saying no”(Butler, 123). When Alice made a decision over whether she desired to be with Rufus or not, her mind never changed. Clearly Rufus cares about Alice’s feelings otherwise he would not have waited so long to rape her. Even though Rufus truly does like Alice, does not make what he did any better. If he truly liked her he would have respected her decisions to be with someone other than him. The moment, Rufus raped Alice, was the same moment he truly resembled a slave owner. Alice has been put through an unhealthy relationship with Rufus. She never wanted to be with Rufus, however, he would constantly lie to her to achieve what he desires. “The dead gray face was ugly in death as it had never been in life”(Butler, 248). Alice reached her breaking point, she committed suicide. Alice believes that Rufus sold her children into slavery, as a result of this she felt that she had nothing left to live for, she was only alive for her children’s sake. Alice did not care how her death would affect Rufus, because he took so much away from her including her freedom and children. Alice and Rufus relation starts well, however, quickly goes downhill when Rufus becomes obsessed with Alice, he leads her to the point of killing herself. Rufus is used to be in control over others which leads him to control Alice’s life.