Moving from one life to the next must have really taken a toll on Dana. Living in two different worlds and having to succumb to the suppression of racism must have killed Dana’s heart. Although the story was interesting, I did not understand the purpose of the book. Yes, Dana has to save her ancestor in order to live in her present life in the 20th century but I don’t understand how she came to have the powers to go between the 19th and 20th century even if it is a fictional story.
Rufus has changed greatly due to his experience as a white male in the 19th century. Although he had no racism in his own time, married a black woman even though that was not acceptable for his time, he seemed to loose some of his views of slavery when he time traveled.
On the plantation when Dana first arrived there, she had no bond with the slaves just because she had no reason to feel that she was equal to them. She had lived in a world where she was not forced to be a slave and could do as she pleased. After many returns to the South though, Dana felt closer and closer every time she was punished for her thoughts and actions as a black woman. She was rejected in the South as a real human being and by the actions that white men and woman showed to her, she grew to love the slaves she was with and care for them as a mother would for her children.
I understand that Dana’s arm was hurt because she killed Rufus and I assume from the ending and beginning that her arm was crushed where Rufus was holding her before she killed him, but I don’t understand why Dana’s arm was in the wall. Was she just saying that to get Kevin out of jail and to save him from punishment?
Overall, the book hurt to hear about how slaves were treated and how they were just property bought and sold like cattle. It was nice to see how Dana’s family had changed over time and be able to look at how her ancestors acted versus her actions in the present day.
1 comment:
I agree with you that Dana became closer to the slaves the more that she was treated like one. I think that Morrison is saying that one's surroundings can really effect how one feels about themselves and others. After being on the plantation, surrounded by slaves being punished for their thoughts and actions, Dana began to doubt herself as a free woman and began to relate to the slaves. In addition, I think Kevin was affected b y his surroundings. In the 20th century, he didn't hold any racist views, after all he married a black woman. However, after being on the plantation for an extended period of time, his attitude towards Dana changed. The thoughts and actions of those on the plantation began to rub off on him and he started to acquire some racist, domineering traits.
Post a Comment