American Studies (미국학)

Seoul National University American Studies Institute (서울대학교 미국학연구소)
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"I am not property": An Examination of Race and Gender in Octavia Butler's Kindred

  • Received : 2020.12.12
  • Accepted : 2020.12.27
  • Published : 2020.12.31

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Abstract

This paper aims to reveal how the fundamental assumptions informing race and gender issues in contemporary society have remained relatively unchanged by examining how such issues pervade Octavia Butler's Kindred. By exploring the protagonist of the novel, Dana's actions in her present (1976 Los Angeles) and the antebellum past in addition to her maternal ancestor, Alice's actions, a clear picture of contemporary and antebellum views of race and gender is provided. Particularly interesting are the reactions of the characters to Dana's and Alice's interracial relationships and the circumstances on the Weylin plantation. By juxtaposing the two times, a deeper commentary on the lack of fundamental change in the present treatment of such issues is then revealed. Furthermore, a potential path to addressing this lack of change is suggested by Butler through Dana and Kevin's successful interracial relationship.

Keywords

References

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