The racial implications of Writing in Kindred.
Writing plays a significant role in the story of Kindred. Both Dana and Kevin make their living as being writers and back in 1815, Dana is forced to use her talents as a writer to survive. But Butler also explores the racial elements of the power of writing. Dana's teaching of writing to Rufus as well as other slaves is a central conflict throughout Kindred. The first mention of writing is in the beginning of the Fall, where we are given the backstory of Dana. She is a struggling writer who has to work in a labor agency to survive. She meets Kevin, who is also a struggling writer, albeit with a little more success. When Kevin and her are sent together back into the past, they disguise themselves as a writer and a slave to stay with Tom Weylin. In the past, we are shown the what society thinks of an educated slave. Tom Weylin warns Kevin of the dangers of an educated slave and Magaret doesn't even believe Dana can read. We see time and time again Dana's talents being taken ...