Throughout the novel Kindred, we find that, although initially a likeable and agreeable character, Rufus steadily changes his behavior as an adult after years of influence affecting him over the course of his life. Even though he does not want to inflict physical pain upon his slaves and is exponentially more humane and charismatic as his father, who say the slaves and people under a business model or a profit generating scheme, Rufus occasionally lashes out and acts violently when he does not achieve his way.
Rufus, in contrast to his father, can acknowledge when he behaves in a brutal manner, and although he apologizes to Dana and others after he has committed his atrocious acts, he diminishes the impact or importance of his behavior. Therefore, many readers, who were initially distracted by his charisma, steadily see him as a villain as their sympathy towards Rufus decreases. In many ways, Tom Weylin cannot see the many faults on his outlook on life, since he has been indoctrinated in this system and sees his greed above human suffering.
Rufus, in our eyes appears to be a monster and a misguided person, though we must remember that he was somewhat progressive in his overall behavior for his society, having allowed Dana to teach Nigel to read and typically caring for the slaves in a insufficient way.
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