Female Autonomy and Status-Based Manipulation in 'Kindred' Anonymous 9th Grade

Octavia E. Butler gives readers an insight on the cruel reality of slavery in the antebellum period through her novel, Kindred. Throughout her narrative, Butler shines a light on the brutal conditions those enslaved must endure by heavily shaming discrimination and domestic violence inflicted on African Americans. A major conflict that is stressed multiple times in Kindred is the issue of power. In order to obtain more power, many characters use the means of manipulation to increase their status on the social pyramid. Demonstrated through Margaret Weylin’s longing for power, Sarah’s ignorance of power, and Liza’s manipulation with power, it is evident that Butler believes that women are ultimately the major figures that attempt to gain autonomy.

A prime example of a white character that is far too power-hungry is Margaret Weylin. Born very attractive, but highly uneducated and unwealthy, she yearns for the feeling of domination over ones that are beneath her in society. Her husband, Tom Weylin, is the official slaveholder on the plantation, but that doesn’t stop her from sticking her nose in his business. By insulting and demoralizing the slaves, ordering them around, punishing them for their “laziness”, and even selling their...