Kindred

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?

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?

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?