Octavia E.
Butlers novel blends scienceand historical fiction, as the narrative
follows Danas time travels from 1976 Los Angeles to 1815 Maryland. Thereveals that Danas arm has
been amputated, but the details of what happened are not revealed until the end of the story.
Dana and her husband, Kevin, both hide the truth about the accident from hospital staff because
they know they wouldnt be believed anyway.
In Danas first trip back in time,
the African Americanappears at a river to find a boy drowning. She saves the white child, Rufus,
before being transported back to her own time. In subsequent time travels, Dana always appears
at a moment when Rufus is in danger, such as after setting his bedroom drapes on fire, when he
has broken his leg, and during a beating from Isaac (the husband of a slave he has attempted to
rape). Thus, Rufus needing help seems to be the catalyst that propels Dana, and then Kevin too,
through time.
Rufus is also the reason Dana loses her arm. In her final time
travel, Rufus attempts to rape Dana, wanting her to stay with him as his concubine. Dana
succeeds in fatally stabbing Rufus, and, as hes dying, she is transported back to her own time.
However, she finds herself in gut-wrenching pain with her arm joined to a wall at the spot where
Rufus had been holding her.
The novel ends with Dana and Kevin relieved that
Rufuss death means they will no longer time travel and may return to their normal
lives.
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