Student Question
Which page does Rufus refer to Alice and Dana as "one woman" in Kindred?
Quick answer:
In Kindred, Rufus refers to Alice and Dana as "one woman" on page 228. He drunkenly states, "Behold the woman," and tells them, "You really are only one woman. Did you know that?" This indicates Rufus's perception of them as interchangeable, satisfying different needs: a physical relationship with Alice and intellectual companionship with Dana. Their similar appearances further blur the distinction for Rufus.
Rufus stumbles home drunk in part 10 of the story and tells Alice and Dana that they are "only one woman". The following is from page 228:
"Behold the woman" he said. And he looked from one to the other of us. "You really are only one woman. Did you know that?"
After this Alice asks Dana if her and Rufus ever sleep
together and she answers no confirming Alice's hunch on what Rufus means.
Between the two of them Rufus gets what he wants out of a relationship.
He wants to sleep with Alice and talk with Dana. And it helps that
the two woman have similar appearances.
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