On a more superficial level, the fact that the novel has been deemed as "science fiction" opens it up to a greater audience. It is safe to say that the majority of people cannot relate to the troubles and scars of the antebellum south, in fact the only living persons who can purely relate are the descendents of slaves. And, even then, it is only on a secondary level, brought on by stories handed through the generations. The novel is seen through the eyes of a woman of the "modern" period of history, and centers itself on her counteraction. This gives the "fish out of water" quality of life. To this, the majority of us can

In addition, the sudden juxtaposition of both times allows for the illustration of the timelessness of bigotry. Dana and Kevin's present time, 1976, is a decade after the heated battles of the Civil Rights Movement, yet interracial marriages are still looked down upon. For instance, Kevin's sister's reaction upon learning of the engagement between Kevin and Dana. She says she doesn't wish to meet Dana nor have her in the house. She even goes as far to say that her own brother, Kevin, is no longer welcome in her house. (110) However, the racism is not limited just to Kevin's family, it also applies to Dana's. Her uncle says that he wishes Dana to marry "someone like him - someone who looks like him. A black man." (111)

This contrast allows for the comparison with Dana's "present." In her time, Dana refers to the temp agency she works for as a "slave market." (52) In a way a temp agency is the 20th century's own version of slavery. The workers are at the beck and call of the agency, and the agency sells their services to each company, reminiscent of a slave-selling bloc. However, each slave moves from plantation to plantation with no control over where and when, does not get paid, and suffers indignities and pain unfathomable to the modern person. Dana, in hindsight realizes this and recants her categorizing the temp agency as a "slave market." (52)

Butler, Octavia. Kinderd. Boston: Beacon Press Books, 1988.

Ultimately, time travel lets Octavia Butler convey her own views on slavery, and the brutality of it. However, her main point is that although we have advanced through the last century, bigotry is still a major problem in our society. And, in order for any major progress to be had, each side will suffer losses, as Rufus' life was taken along with Dana's arm.

This in turn sheds light onto the conclusion that the "scars of slavery" have not disappeared, shown symbolically through Dana. At the conclusion of the novel, Dana's arm is stuck in the past, held by Rufus. Rufus becomes the representation of "the long arm of slavery." That which reaches out although slavery has long been abo

Some common words found in the essay are:
Los Angeles, Apparently I'd, Dana's Dana, Dana Dana, Rufus Rufus, Tom Weylin, Kevin Dana, Rufus Dana, Octavia Butler, Octavia Butler's, 20th century, temp agency, science fiction, agency slave market, scars slavery, antebellum south, slave market, agency slave, 19th century, black woman, temp agency slave, slave market 52, civil rights,
Approximate Word count = 1433
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)