"I wasn't trying to work out my own ancestry. I was trying to get people to feel slavery. I was trying to get across the kind of emotional and psychological stones that slavery threw at people"

In this quote, acclaimed science fiction author Octavia Butler succinctly records the essence of her intent in dealing with the topic of slavery within her work. Butler is understood for her profound capability to weave intricate narratives that explore themes of race, power, and humanity. Here, she clearly states that her purpose wasn't to explore or unwind her individual genealogy or origins. Instead, she looked for to evoke a visceral understanding of slavery-- a defining historical injury that continues to form contemporary society.

Butler stresses the psychological and mental effect of slavery on its victims. Her use of the term "feel slavery" suggests an expedition beyond historic truths and figures, aiming rather to create a deep, empathetic connection with the reader. She challenges her audience to go beyond intellectual understanding and grapple with the lived experiences and enduring injuries of those who suffered under slavery's harsh regime.

The metaphor of "psychological and mental stones" is particularly striking. These "stones" represent the heavy concerns and scars left by slavery-- injuries that are cast upon individuals, influencing their mental and emotional well-being. Butler's objective is to brighten these burdens, making the abstract concrete and relatable. Simply as stones can be oppressive, weighing down bodies and spirits, the mental toll of slavery continues to resonate throughout generations, affecting identities and self-perceptions in extensive ways.

In crafting narratives that explore this painful legacy, Butler's work welcomes readers to challenge unpleasant facts and review the continuous ramifications of systemic injustice. By fostering an emotional and mental understanding, she aims to cultivate compassion, awareness, and ultimately, recovery. Butler's storytelling becomes an avenue through which the stories of the previous keep their significance, advising society to recognize and resolve the remaining shadows of its history.