Major Dimensions in Kindred - Essay Example

The book starts with the basic premise of controlling and protecting the kid’s life for her existence. The initial relationship between Rufus and Dana is based on equality. Rufus although coming from the white race treats Dana with some respect and love. Rufus is dependent on her for his life and is in awe of her because of her sophistication and education. Rufus calls her ‘Nigger’ which he doesn’t realize or feel to be offensive. It is also an example of how power was taken for granted by white men and the culture of society. His compliance with Dana’s request that he would call her a ‘black woman’ is a surprise considering this background. He grows up to be a violent, tyrannical, and spoilt young man because he emulates his father. Weylin's believe in racial superiority and exercise through the power they have over their household and plantation. Physical brutality is exercised to keep the household in control and to demonstrate the center of the power. Rufus also has this streak but feels that his people should also love him and think of him to be a good master, making him spend for them.

It is often noticed in the book that people who exercise power also feel the need for the love they want in return. There are evident examples of this in the relationships between, Alice and Rufus, Dana and Rufus. In all of these one is dominant and the other submit to dominance against the will. However irrespective of his cruel dominance over both the women, Rufus manages to create affection and expects affection from both of them, partly because they both are alike, but also because they both understand him. The relationships amongst the women in the book are also power-driven. Alice despises Dana but knows that she needs Dana for her survival. Dana herself doesn’t exercise control over anybody but feels that she can control Rufus and mold him to be unlike his father. She needs Rufus because he is the father of her ancestor. Hence she feels the ties severed the moment Hagar is born. Here the dimension of power changes completely. Till this point in the book, Rufus is in control over his, Alice’s, and Dana’s life. Dana feels free the moment she realizes Hagar can survive on her own. The mutual control over each other is shattered through this realization. Rufus throughout realizes that he cannot completely have his say and power over Dana, and Dana realizes that Rufus will never really harm her because of the affection he seeks from her although he is capable of simply forcing the relationship on her. Alice also confirms to the reader that it is possible to have affection for someone who has been committing atrocities on one’s life. The book is finely balanced between these two points and various other power dimensions depicted in multiple relationships.