Like the slave narratives of the nineteenth century, Kindred humanizes the horrors of slavery, however unlike its spiritual predecessor it faces a hurdle of time that must be overcome. Butler could have set her novel entirely in antebellum Maryland, instead through the use of time travel she tore down the wall between present and past. The argument of Kindred is for the relevance of history. Dana is pulled back in time against her consent. Despite her living more than a century after the 14th Amendment, she is a product of slavery. Her very existence is due to the repeated rape of her ancestor.
Slave narratives are at their foundation arguments of moral suasion for the abolition of slavery. Through their description of their author’s experiences in slavery, they force their audiences to sympathize with those …show more content…
In the spring of 1862, Smalls led a daring escape from slavery utilizing a steamer named Planter on board which he had worked. Upon escaping Charleston Harbor, he turned the ship over to the Federal navy, which found great use in his knowledge of the South Carolina coast. His exploit was celebrated throughout the North, particularly among the free black population for whom in the Henry Highland Garnet demonstrated “a faithful devotedness to the cause of American union” (FOMM). After the war, Smalls would return to South Carolina and become one of the first African-Americans elected to Congress. Despite dubious allegations of fraud, he reelected to Congress even after the Compromise of 1876, making him one of the last stalwarts of Black Reconstruction (The Film). He, like his constituents, was abandoned by the Republican Party and Union, which he had loyally supported throughout the duration of the war and
Slave narratives are at their foundation arguments of moral suasion for the abolition of slavery. Through their description of their author’s experiences in slavery, they force their audiences to sympathize with those …show more content…
In the spring of 1862, Smalls led a daring escape from slavery utilizing a steamer named Planter on board which he had worked. Upon escaping Charleston Harbor, he turned the ship over to the Federal navy, which found great use in his knowledge of the South Carolina coast. His exploit was celebrated throughout the North, particularly among the free black population for whom in the Henry Highland Garnet demonstrated “a faithful devotedness to the cause of American union” (FOMM). After the war, Smalls would return to South Carolina and become one of the first African-Americans elected to Congress. Despite dubious allegations of fraud, he reelected to Congress even after the Compromise of 1876, making him one of the last stalwarts of Black Reconstruction (The Film). He, like his constituents, was abandoned by the Republican Party and Union, which he had loyally supported throughout the duration of the war and