Kindred Discussion Questions (p.143-264)

In Preparation for the February 5th Class

*We will use these questions as starting points for our discussion on TikTok Live, Wednesday, February 5th.*

Cracking the Facade of White Racial Innocence: Throughout Kindred, Kevin is portrayed as an “innocent” white man, yet his character is far from an ideal representation of goodness. His marriage to Dana, while complex in the past, carries subtle hesitations that Butler never explicitly states. Considering Dana’s fear of Kevin being trapped in the past and his familial ties to a racist sister, do you believe Kevin truly struggles to understand the brutality of slavery? Or are we witnessing cracks in the concept of white racial innocence?

Education and Survival: Dana reflects, “Education didn’t mean smart. He had a point. Nothing in my education or knowledge of the future had helped me escape” (p. 177). Reflecting on your own understanding of slavery, how does this statement challenge modern perceptions of education and its utility in overcoming systemic oppression?

The Dulling Effects of Slavery: On page 182, Dana observes that “slavery was a long, slow process of dulling.” Discuss the significance of this statement in terms of the mental and emotional toll of enslavement. How does Butler convey this process through the narrative?

Possessive Intimacy: On page 151, Sarah refers to her former master as “my man,” a deliberate choice by Butler that reveals a complex and unsettling dynamic. This moment underscores the deeper, often coerced, meanings of intimacy on the plantation between white men and Black women. How does this statement reflect the blurred lines between power, possession, and survival in such relationships?

• In what ways does Butler use this scene to challenge conventional understandings of intimacy, particularly in the context of enslavement?

Alice as Dana’s Double: Dana repeatedly references Alice in ways that suggest a doubling dynamic, almost as if Alice serves as her stand-in within Rufus’ life. How does this doubling create tension within the text? In what ways might these dynamics complicate Black women’s individual experiences, especially in relation to power and agency?

The Plantation as a Central Character: In Kindred and other works by Black authors, the plantation often functions as more than a setting—it becomes a central character. Why do you think so much of Black identity in literature is shaped around the plantation, even for authors from different geographical regions? Is there value in continually revisiting and reevaluating Black movements and identity within the Southern landscape during slavery?

Slavery as a Production System: Slavery can be understood as a highly elaborate system of production, involving both the means of production and the workers. How does Kindred explore this idea? In what ways does Butler illuminate the mechanics and human cost of this system?

Intimacy and Power Dynamics: On page 151, Sarah refers to her former master as “my man,” a deliberate statement by Butler that gestures toward a form of possessive intimacy. Similarly, Rufus’ fascination with Alice and Dana adds another layer to the theme of intimacy. What deeper meanings of intimacy might Butler be exploring, especially in the context of power dynamics and survival?

Home and Homelessness: As the narrative progresses, Dana begins to refer to the past as “home.” This shift carries significant implications, especially considering the layered and complex meanings of home for African Americans. What might it mean for Dana to feel a sense of home in a place tied to her ancestors’ trauma?

• How does this reflect broader themes of roots and rootedness within the African American experience, particularly in the context of displacement and historical erasure?

• In what ways does Butler challenge or redefine traditional notions of home through Dana’s journey?