The book Kindred started off faced-paced as we learn that the main character has lost her arm. However we do not know how she loses her arm till the very end of the book which caused me to feel that this book was very interesting. The ending of the book however was something unexpected to say the least. After murdering Rufus, Dana’s arm merges into the wall as she is transported back to her own time.
Even though Dana had also gone through a lot of physical abuse such as from whippings, I do believe that the most pain she went through was herself.I believe that Butler made Dana lose an arm to compare all her mental struggles. Her feelings toward Rufus are very complex. She has been with him ever since he was a little kid, saving him numerous times from drowning, burning, and getting beat up, however as Rufus starts growing older and becoming more like a slave master, Dana no longer knows what to really think towards him. Dana also had to worry during that five year period where Kevin was alone in the past. She had to worry whether or not Kevin would stay the same, or become influenced by the white supremacy. I do not think that anyone could just normally go back to their way of living, and the physical symbol of this lost arm is a good way to remind her. I agree that slavery leaves a big impact, and the lost arm is Butler showing just how much of an impact it actually made for Dana.
One of the panel presentations--and I *think* it was in fifth period, but it might have been your section--articulated an interesting distinction w/r/t the lost arm: Dana doesn't lose it *in* the past, but she loses it as part of her "travel" between these two times. That is, it's not a wound from slavery per se, but from the scarring costs of traveling back and witnessing, and attempting to return. The knowledge itself is scarring.
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