Sibling relationships can be complicated; relationships between parents and children can be even more so. Family often varies in definition from one person to another. For the majority of the population the idea of ​​a "nuclear family" does not exist. In the novel Kindred, Octavia Butler uses both science fiction and slave fiction to explore variations in family bonds. Every situation is different, but some aspects of family relationships are virtually guaranteed. Even though we incessantly seek the love that comes from our relatives, humanity is continually wounded by family slavery. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay At the beginning of Dana and Kevin's relationship, they didn't talk much about their families. Dana's parents were dead and she would later find out that Kevin's parents were both dead as well. Years ago, his parents died in a car accident (Butler 56). Later in their time together, Kevin asks Dana to marry him. This very traditional topic brings up Dana and Kevin's very untraditional families. Dana expresses her concern to Kevin about her only living close relative, a sister. Interracial marriages were not yet socially acceptable in the late 1970s, and Dana is reasonably worried about what her future husband's family will think of her (109). When Kevin returns from visiting his sister, he is shocked by her reaction to the impending wedding: "He didn't want to meet you, he wouldn't want you in his house – or me if you got married" (110). Not surprised, Dana reports that her aunt and uncle had a similar reaction. "Forgiving" the marriage only because it would cause Dana's children to have lighter skin, Dana's aunt criticizes the couple. Dana's uncle also tells her, "The worst thing she could think of doing" (112). The worst thing is to delete Dana from his will so that nothing falls into “white hands”. It's clear that although Kevin and Dana are confident in seeking their families' approval, this approval is not something that will ever come. Instead of postponing the wedding, Kevin suggests the only thing they can do: "Let's go to Las Vegas and pretend we don't have any relatives" (112). Kevin and Dana desperately want their families to approve of their spouse, but are disappointed when negative responses come their way. Slavery consistently turns motherhood into a complicated issue. A child does not simply belong to his mother. Regardless of whether the father is the master of the plantation, another slave, or even a free black, that child becomes a slave from the moment of birth. Sarah, who runs the kitchen, has four children: three boys and a girl. Tragically, her husband dies when a tree he was cutting falls on him (76). Shortly thereafter, Tom Weylin sells Sarah's three children. Sarah blames Margaret Weylin for this sale, telling Dana that Margaret, "made Marse Tom sell my three boys to get money to buy things she didn't even need!" (95). Although Sarah is the mother of these four children, she has little say in what happens in their lives. As masters of the plantation, Tom and Margaret have the power to decide what happens to each individual slave. Sarah thinks the only reason Carrie hasn't been sold yet is her inability to speak. Dana assesses the situation: "Her husband dead, three children sold, the fourth defective, and she must thank God for the defect" (76). But Carrie's inability to speak isn't the only reason Weylin kept her around. If Carrie was sold to someone elseplantation, Sarah would have no family ties or reason to remain on the Weylin plantation. Carrie not only works hard, but she also inspires Sarah to work hard. As long as she has Carrie to protect, Sarah will remain on the plantation and follow Weylin's orders. Later in Carrie's life, Carrie's marriage to Nigel serves a similar purpose in Weylin's eyes. Nigel attempted to escape, but patrols brought him back hungry and sick. Weylin wanted to sell Nigel as punishment, but Rufus convinced his father to keep him on the plantation. Rufus tells Dana, “I don't think Dad relaxed until Nigel married Carrie. The man gets married, has children, is more likely to stay where he is" (139). By marrying Carrie, Nigel renounces his passion for freedom. Through the sale and marriage of slaves, familial love becomes a tool of those who seek to oppress. Although Sarah and Nigel both love Carrie dearly, their love for her interferes with their freedom and overall well-being. Family ties account for most of the loyalty Dana has towards Rufus. From the beginning, Dana has the feeling that there is something special that draws her to him. He begins to wonder if Rufus could really be his relative. Dana thinks, “Not that I really thought a blood relationship could explain the way I was attracted to him twice. He wouldn't do it. But then neither does the rest” (29). Dana's feelings towards Rufus must be partly due to their connected bloodlines. Rufus is part of Dana's ancestors, perhaps her great-great-grandfather (28). As impossible as it may be for Dana to believe it, there is no reason that better explains the common thread that unites them. Day after day, Rufus treats Dana cruelly. The two share some pivotal moments and experiences that further bond them, but overall the relationship between Dana and Rufus is less than optimal. Every time Dana is hurt by Rufus, however, she forgives him. Dana says, “Somehow I always seem to forgive him for what he does to me. I can't hate him as I should” (223). Many people find it difficult to feel hostility towards their family. Humans crave the sense of belonging and approval that comes from their relatives. Very often, just as Dana does, parents and siblings forgive and forget to avoid jeopardizing this connection. Dana feels remorse for saving Rufus after the traumatizing sale of some slaves: “I wish I had left Rufus in the mud. ..To think that I saved him so he could do something like that” (223). Rufus hurts many people, with and without Dana's help. Alice, Dana's other half according to Rufus, is manipulated countless times by both Rufus and Dana. Because she relies on Alice as her great-grandmother's mother, Dana helps Rufus force Alice into a sexual relationship (164). This ruthlessness of Rufus's actions causes Dana to feel guilty about her need to continually save him to ensure her own birth and survival. If Dana could have let go of her familial bond with Rufus, she could have prevented the pain in Alice and the other slaves' lives. Oppression through familial love is a skill passed down from father to son. After Tom Weylin leaves, Rufus becomes the master of the plantation. Although Rufus has already convinced his father not to sell Nigel, he has no qualms about using family ties to punish the love of his life, Alice. Together, Alice and Rufus have two children: Joe and Hagar. After an escape attempt, Alice is brought back to the plantation and beaten both physically and emotionally (250). Receiving much more than a simple whipping, both of Alice's children are "sold." Rufus tells Alice that he sold his children as punishment for his escape. In truth,.