Changing Dynamics


As the story develops, it’s interesting to see and discuss the implications behind the changing dynamics between the characters, namely, Kevin and Dana. As Kevin has gotten more and more involved in the story, there seem to be increasing tensions between him and Dana. One example that we discussed in class was the scene where they watch the kids re-enacting a slave auction. While Dana was deeply disturbed and felt the need to do whatever she could do to change things, Kevin had a much more laid-back attitude. Just from this scene, it seems that Dana is much more involved in the slavery era than Kevin is. However, Kevin seems to be getting more involved in the slavery era as well, but instead of sympathizing with the slaves he seems to be getting more and more accustomed to the slave master’s racist way of thinking. One example would be when Kevin made the comment about Dana being a smart slave and how Weylin was right to be wary of smart slaves. As we discussed, Kevin didn’t mean this in a negative way. He was trying to express that he was impressed by Dana. Nevertheless, it came off weirdly, and Dana seemed to feel a bit weirdly about it too. As their time in the slavery era goes on, it seems like the division between them is growing bigger. Even though these types of tensions didn’t really exist when they were living in their time period (although we’ve now seen a few glimpses of weird ways Kevin has acted towards Dana, it doesn’t compare to the tension we see between them during the slavery era), as soon as they’re put into a world where this racial hierarchy exists, it doesn’t take them long to assimilate. Although Kevin and Dana are still on each other’s sides, an interesting question to think about is what effect will these experiences have on their marriage? It seems like it definitely will have a large impact on their relationship even if they discontinued their travels to the past somehow. What are your thoughts on this?

Comments

  1. HadiyahApril 3, 2020 at 2:18 PM

    I don't doubt that it will have a large impact on their relationship, but I also think that if they're able to make it through together and have this shared experience, then they'll be fine together. I don't think Kevin means to think the way he does. It's said that the people you are around most have a influence on you and Kevin is only really allowed to be around racist slave owners so it makes sense that they have a bit of an influence on him. That being said, I also think Kevin hasn't let them get to him too much because he still listens to Dana and tries to understand what she says.

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  2. ZillesApril 10, 2020 at 11:47 PM

    I think it really flips the dynamic of their marriage on its head, they go from being on roughly equal footing, to being in a time period where he has absolute power over her, to the point that. In a way, their normal lives are being paused and they are living in two separate timelines, I can't see many scenarios where that does not heavily impact the relation in a negative light. Even if Kevin means everything in a "sympathetic" way, he cannot relate to the situations she is placed in, and that disconnect is sure to cause tension.

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  3. Grace JuhnApril 18, 2020 at 10:12 PM

    The dynamic shift between them seems subtle at first but when you look back, its clear that there is some sort of tension between the two. Dana starts to feel a little more cautious and slightly wary of what Kevin says. I think we're all thinking I hope Kevin doesn't turn into a dangerous person but at the same time we all feel the slightly shift in the relationship

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  4. ErinMay 4, 2020 at 9:54 PM

    I found the ending fairly ambiguous. Overall, the novel took place in a very short period of time and we know very little about what happens to Dana and Kevin's relationship in the future. Sure, the traumatic experience they went through together and that only they understand could bond them. However, their time spent in the past could also have damaged their dynamic as an interracial couple in the 1970s.

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  5. Raneem SaadahMay 17, 2020 at 10:31 PM

    I definitely think that their experience in the 1820's will change the dynamic of their relationship, but I also think it will bring them closer together. I don't think they easily assimilated into their roles as a slave and master, but their environments/company they were around still clearly had an impact. Because of that, I also think that they'll eventually adapt back to their 1970s relationship, it'll just be a tense and rocky road.

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