The Importance Of Society In Kindred

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Society constantly changing rules and culture is the main reason for conflict between people. This is displayed in “Kindred” were numerous African descending people are enslaved. In the novel Rufus and Dana -the main characters- have a difficult time getting along. This is because they were raised in different societies with different cultural acceptance. In the novel, you can observe Dana struggles with trying to fit in and stay out of trouble, and Rufus frustration in trying to control her. As seen in this novel, the thing people are taught or use to often time interfere with their good judgment and can make overlook things that are morally wrong.
In America during the 1970s, society had changed enormously since the 1800s. In the third …show more content…

In the novel Dana is a writer, has moved into her new home with her husband, and she even taken college courses before. In Rufus time this would be wildly inappropriate and cause them both a lot of problems. During the 1970s school became widely integrated, which mean both blacks and whites people could attend school together. In Rufus time this could get people killed or severely punished. In his time, it is illegal for black slaves to receive and education. In the novel Dana is beaten for having a book in the cookhouse. Not only that, but people didn 't like the fact she was educated, not even the slaves; they believe she was trying to be white. As a matter of fact, Dana is not respected by Tom and Margaret Weylin, they don’t like the fact that she is smart then them. For instance, when Rufus wants Dana to read to him, and his mother, Margaret tries to distract him and keep Dana from reading (Butler 103). In addition, Rufus told Dana the his parent are jealous of her because she could read better than them. Dana then considers the fact that in their time, girls weren’t always allowed to attend school for a long period of time, which explain why Margaret Weylin is not that educated. In addition to that, in the 1800s, girls weren’t given many of the same opportunity as men. Most girls spend less time in school because they believe they would become wives someday and need to care for the house. The literacy rates in 1851 were still only 55% compared to nearly 70% for

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