what are the similarities and diferrences between Dana and Margaret in "Kindred" by Octavia E. Butler?

In Butler's novel, Kindred, the character of Dana and the character of Margaret have some similarites, as well as some differences that make their interactions dramatic. One of the biggest issues that these women have with one another stems from the opportunites that Dana has compared to Margaret. Dana is educated and Margaret is not. Likewise, Margaret is better suited to actually survive living in her own Era, when Dana is a transplant with modern sensibilities.

Margaret accepts, even if she doesn't condone, the way Rufus is. Dana believes that she has the ability to influence him. Finally, realizing that she can't change him, she kills him.

Margaret's problems with Dana can be boiled down to a senese of usefulness and worth. Dana has a sense of self worth and self confidence that Margaret lacks. In fact, she understands her role is to be a figurehead, a pretty doll on a shelf going through the motions. Most of the time she is just bored. She is mean to everyone simply because she has nothing better to do and it makes her feel as if she is doing something. When she becomes pregnant for a while it seems that she is changing for the better...now she has purpose. However, when she loses the babies, she has a mental breakdown and is sent out East.