The section of Kindred, "The Storm" begins with Kevin and Dana returning home together after Kevin had been trapped in the early 19th century for five years. Naturally, after five years, Kevin wasn't quite used to what he knew should have been "home". Even Dana, who had only been away for a few months, remarked to herself that the Weylin house seemed more like home than her real home. The only thing she feels is more "homey" about her house is that it is in her own time period. What this shows is that both Dana and Kevin have become so used to the Weylins' house, that they are beginning to recognize the location as home, but, more importantly, they have also been able to transplant the norms of 1976 in to the time period to a great enough degree to make it feel less alien.
We have talked in class about how the 19th century society has had unwanted effects on Dana and Kevin, and these are obviously present in the scene described above. However, it is also clear that there are aspects of the 1970's that they have brought and maintained in the 1810's, which have allowed them to feel more at home there. This becomes especially clear in Kevin when he mentions that he was helping southern slaves escape to the north. He becomes agitated as he says this, and remarks that he isn't used to having people understand why he would do it. What this shows is that, although Kevin has adapted to living in a new society, he has only changed to a limited degree.
This is how Kevin was able to feel at home at the Weylin house. Although he wasn't living there when he was doing it, he must have associated it with his helping slaves to escape, because, as he was talking about the Weylin house to Dana, it led directly to him talking about helping runaways. He could only feel at home where he had spent considerable time and had demonstrated his 1976 morality most clearly.
This idea also applies to Dana. She felt at home at the Weylin house, where she had tried her best to apply her morality to other slaves, helping them where she could. This appears to be how Butler defines where her characters feel at home, and it shows that as much as Dana and Kevin change as they are in the 19th century, they still remain a product of their own time.
Great post! The one thing I disagree with is the impact on Kevin. I was reading some other blog post and it reminded me of the scene after they have returned where Kevin tells Dana to turn the TV off. It was an example of how Kevin was mimicking the master-slave relationship in his current relationship with Dana. In addition, consider the effects on his relationship with the outside world. He can no longer drive a car, and it seems like the 20th century in general is just a source of anxiety to him.
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