KIndred

I think that the significance of Kevin getting trapped back in time for an extended period is so that Butler could make his character dynamic. By reading how Kevin acts while on the plantation, the reader is able to see deeper into his true character. I think being there for so long significantly changed him. By being surrounded by men like him (i.e white superior males) who abuse and oppress black men and women, Kevin's relationship with Dana was changed. After being submersed into that culture for a long period of time, some of the values began to rub off on him. I think that this can be related to our reading from Bell Hooks. Racism is culturally learned. When Kevin married Dana, he was baffled by people's racist opinions. But now after being in this oppressive society for so long, he develops some oppressive, domineering characteristics. I think that Butler used his character to show how nurture has a significant impact on one's development of racist values. In addition to the way one is raised, Butler emphasizes the importance of one's environment. Kevin's character changed when he was on the plantation from when he was at home. When one is surrounded by a culture of shared values, it is hard to resist inheriting those values. Through Kevin, Butler portrays how hard it is. Kevin seems to be a good, kind, and fair man; but even he can't resist some of the oppressive values he was surrounded by on the plantation.