Octavia Butler's Kindred

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Anjoelo Calderon Professor Roberts ELIT D010 May 17, 2024 The Mind of Kindred The complexity of the human mind is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating subjects of study. To my amazement, Octavia Butler's Kindred thoroughly explored complexities such as child development and the mind’s power over the body through complex themes such as slavery and the psychology of those involved, further increasing the mind’s significance in her writing. The violent atmosphere of slavery shrouds Rufus’ philosophy as he grows up, and we see this develop throughout the story. But right now, I want to focus early on the story when Dana saves Rufus from starting a fire. When this event happened, Rufus was about nine years old, and Dana was only beginning to …show more content…
A child’s environment affects their thinking as they grow up, and we can see an example of this through Rufus’ development, as the same child who showed concern for a black stranger is now proudly explaining how the system has already enacted his revenge for the black individual whose wife he raped. Dana tried to prevent Rufus from turning into this, as she was hopeful that she would be allowed to change her ancestor’s mind. However, her optimism about Rufus changes as she observes who he has become. Later in the story, Rufus targets Dana to pick cotton with the underlying intention of getting her whipped, allowing Butler to explore the mind’s power over the body. After Dana drops to the ground, receiving a lash to the back, Butler writes in Dana’s words, “I couldn’t. I didn’t think anything could make me get up just then— until I saw Fowler raising his whip again. Somehow, I got up.” (Kinder 211). This quote sums up the minds of those enslaved in the story and history. There are a few people who still wonder how the enslaved were forced to comply, and Dana’s struggle and motivation to get up quickly answers
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