59 pages 1 hour read

Octavia E. Butler

Kindred

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1979

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Essay Topics

1.

Dana’s story is told in first person. How would the story change if it had been told in third person? Would its effect still be the same?

2.

What is the significance of the chapter titles? Why do you think Butler chose to title them this way? What do they reveal about the novel’s message?

3.

Consider the relationships between Dana/Rufus, Dana/Kevin, Rufus/Alice, Alice/Isaac, Nigel/Carrie, and Tom/Margaret. How does the novel depict love? How does it complicate or reinforce traditional depictions of love?

Related Titles

By Octavia E. Butler

Study Guide

logo

Adulthood Rites

Octavia E. Butler

Adulthood Rites

Octavia E. Butler

Study Guide

logo

Bloodchild and Other Stories

Octavia E. Butler

Bloodchild and Other Stories

Octavia E. Butler

Study Guide

logo

Fledgling

Octavia E. Butler

Fledgling

Octavia E. Butler

Study Guide

logo

Parable of the Talents

Octavia E. Butler

Parable of the Talents

Octavia E. Butler

Study Guide

logo

The Evening and the Morning and the Night

Octavia E. Butler

The Evening and the Morning and the Night

Octavia E. Butler

Study Guide

logo

Wild Seed

Octavia E. Butler

Wild Seed

Octavia E. Butler