Kevin’s prolonged stay in the past significantly impacts his mental and emotional state. Initially, he arrives in the 19th century with Dana, and their experiences together shape their understanding of survival and resilience against the backdrop of slavery.
As the years stretch on, Kevin finds himself immersed in the harsh realities of that era, witnessing the brutality and injustices faced by those enslaved. This extended exposure alters his perception of history and deepens his empathy for the plight of African Americans. Unlike Dana, who often oscillates between her life in the present and the traumas of the past, Kevin becomes more entrenched in a period where he must navigate not only his survival but also his identity as a white man in a deeply racist society.
Furthermore, the longer Kevin stays, the more disconnected he becomes from his life in the present. Relationships, cultural references, and even the technological advancements of his own time begin to fade from his mind. He grows to appreciate the fundamental human connections forged during this time, especially with characters like Rufus, which complicates his feelings and morality.
Ultimately, Kevin’s extended stay in the past shapes him in profound ways, forcing him to confront uncomfortable realities about race, power, and his own identity. Living through such harrowing experiences indelibly marks him, leaving him changed forever when he finally returns to his own time.