Vol. 7, Issue 1, Part A (2025)

This study explores the dynamics and power struggles of interracial relationships in Octavia E. Butler's Kindred, focusing on the intersections of race, power, and identity. Through the lens of Dana's time-traveling experiences between the 20th century and the antebellum South, the novel highlights the complex interplay between historical and contemporary racial dynamics. Key relationships, such as those between Dana and her white ancestor Rufus Weylin, and between Rufus and Alice Greenwood, illustrate how systemic racism and societal hierarchies influence interpersonal connections. The study also examines Dana’s marriage to Kevin, a white man, as a counterpoint, reflecting a modern yet still tension-laden dynamic shaped by their shared experiences of the past. By analyzing these relationships, the research sheds light on the enduring effects of slavery's legacy on identity and power, offering insights into the broader implications of interracial relationships across time and culture.