A comparison of the characters from the novel Kindred (Dana and Margaret) shows that while both are placed into positions of weakness, they both find their own ways to resist against it, discovering their own inner strength.
Dana begins the story as a strong willed woman living in the modern era. Through a series of events she finds herself transported back to antebellum days where she is a young slave woman. She understands that she has to protect and save her ancestor, a white man by the name of Rufus. He doesn't make it easy. In fact, he is a slave owner of the worst sort and she must battle with her own inner moral compass. The strength she must draw upon is her own belief in herself and her worth even in the light of impending rape. She finds that she can take a life if her life is on the line.
Margaret Weylin begins the story just the opposite. She is subservient to the male dominated culture that she has been brought up in. When she encounters Dana it throws her carefully perceived idea of the world out of balance and she reacts viciously toward Dana. She doesn't understand why Rufus and Kevin would turn to Dana instead of her. For a long time she attemps to bring others down in order to make herself look better in their eyes. Later, she has twin stillborn babies and she is able to see her life more clearly and turns to Dana. They finally become friends. Margaret finds her strength and self worth when she has lost practically everything.
