Kindred

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Mount Kenya University *

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MISC

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Psychology

Date

Nov 24, 2024

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docx

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4

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Surname 1 Student’s Name Instructor’s Name Course Details Due Date Exploring the Ongoing Effects of Trauma and Structural Oppression based on Octavia Butler's Kindred The excerpt cited from Octavia Butler's literary work Kindred addresses the psychological distress that the main character, Dana, has undergone. The individual in question lacks precise terminology to describe the occurrence but is cognizant that they no longer experience a sense of security. The quoted passage foreshadows Dana's substantial loss during her final journey to the present, wherein she suffers the loss of one of her arms. This essay aims to analyze the extent to which the quoted passage contributes to our comprehension of the importance of Dana's bereavement within the framework of historical trauma. The term "historical trauma" pertains to the psychological and emotional trauma transmitted intergenerationally due to traumatic experiences undergone by a particular group or community. The novel Kindred depicts the protagonist Dana's temporal displacement to antebellum Maryland, where she undergoes the harrowing experience of slavery. The individual observes the brutality and subjugation of the black community during that particular era and must skillfully navigate through this environment while prioritizing their well-being and mental stability. Dana's past trauma indicates the historical trauma transmitted intergenerationally within the black community. The excerpt aids in comprehending the importance of Dana's deprivation within the framework of historical trauma as it pertains to the ongoing repercussions of trauma. Despite having endured past experiences, Dana's sense of security has been compromised. The
Surname 2 individual's past traumatic experience has persisted into the present and has had a sustained effect on their perception of personal safety and well-being. The mentioned phenomenon is a prevalent consequence of historical trauma, as the traumatic encounters have the potential to be transmitted across generations and persistently impact individuals even after the actual traumatic incidents have transpired. The loss of her arm evidences the physical manifestation of Dana's trauma. The object in question symbolizes the brutality and subjugation the individual experienced in prior times. The loss experienced by the subject can be interpreted as a representation of the persistent impact of historical trauma. Despite Dana's safe return to the present, she grapples with the psychological aftermath of her past traumatic encounters. The physical loss of an arm is a tangible representation of the psychological trauma experienced, highlighting historical trauma's enduring and extensive impact. Moreover, the amputation of Dana's limb also highlights the persistent impact of systemic discrimination. The term "structural oppression" pertains to the manners in which establishments and frameworks sustain the continuation of oppression and marginalization. The novel Kindred portrays slavery as a systemic mode of subjugation that impacts all facets of existence for African Americans in pre-Civil War Maryland. Despite the abolition of slavery, the enduring impact of structural oppression remains palpable in contemporary times. The loss of Dana's arm can be interpreted as a physical embodiment of the persistent oppression that she faces, which is a consequence of her resistance against the system of slavery that is responsible for perpetuating violence and oppression. In conclusion, the passage quoted above from Kindred helps us understand the significance of Dana's loss of an arm in the context of historical trauma. The statement pertains to the persistent impact of trauma and the intergenerational transmission of traumatic occurrences. The physical loss experienced by Dana can be interpreted as a manifestation of
Surname 3 the trauma she has undergone, serving as a poignant reminder of the persistent impact of structural oppression. By examining these thematic elements, it is possible to acquire a more profound comprehension of the effects of historical trauma on individuals and communities.
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Surname 4 Work Cited Butler, Octavia E. Kindred: With an Introd. by Robert Crossley . Beacon Press, 1979.