Power in Kindred: The Development of Dana’s Agency Over the Course of the Novel Stella Kaval 9th Grade

In the novel Kindred, Octavia Butler tells the story of Dana and Kevin, an interracial married couple living in 1976 who repeatedly travel back to the time and place of Dana’s ancestors. Butler’s plot brings up agency, which can be defined as one’s ability to think and act individually without the influence of others. Dana’s agency over her situation develops over the course of the novel. In the beginning, when Rufus blackmails her into burning a map, Dana has no agency. Later, in the chapter “The Fight,” Dana demonstrates an increase in agency when she challenges the power dynamic between her and Rufus. Towards the end of the novel, she uses the power she gains from her time-travel to threaten Rufus’ father and regain control of her situation. Overall, as the novel progresses, Butler depicts Dana’s change from submissive to opportunistic to reveal an increase in agency. Ultimately this suggests, a sense of agency can be developed with knowledge.

At first, Dana has no agency since Rufus’ blackmail prevents her from having control of the situation. In the beginning of the chapter, “The Fight,” Rufus promises to mail Dana’s letter to Kevin if she will burn her map of Maryland. Dana protests this form of blackmail; however, she...