The Poisonwood Bible - 2189 Words

Intro People always greatly and negatively impact each other, though they believe it to be for the greater good. In the 1950’s European and American imperialism tore asunder what tranquility there was in the Congo. These countries may have not been aware of their influence at the time, but the outcome nonetheless was drastic. Cultural misunderstandings were the ultimate catalyst for the Congo’s destruction. In Barbara Kingsolver’s novel The Poisonwood Bible published in 1998 she exposes how cultural ignorance creates problems. With her chosen syntax, point of view, and time gap of each narrator Kingsolver exposes how close mindedness creates unfulfilled results because individuals can not adapt to cultural changes. Style Barbara†¦show more content†¦All she wanted was his approval and recognition, but as time progressed she no longer valued his values the same way. Throughout the text â€Å" Leah, who sees with the eyes of an intelligent, flexible learner, presents historical and cultural details...integrates all types of knowledge into her narratives† (Austenfeld). For example Leah embraced African culture while her father never condoned it. Leah Price’s pivotal moment follows at the church’s vote. While the congregation votes on â€Å"tata Jesus† The Preacher stands up and spits wounding words in all directions. As her father insultes the native’s culture she no longer considers her father to be a holy man. Even though she was raised around his teachings she no longer considers him to be of pure intentions. Since â€Å"Nathan is arrogant, inflexible, and passionately committed† he never attempted to learn the society’s needs he just wanted t o create Christian clones for his own selfish salvation. In the end she finally states, â€Å"If I had a prayer left in me, it was that this red-faced man [Nathaniel] shaking with rage would never lay a hand on me again† officially ending her glorious thoughts towards her father (Kingsolver 333). Since the reader progressed though Leah’s bildungsroman they realize Nathaniels inability to adapt created an individual worthy of a monstrous title. Another strong candidate in the reader’s mind is Ruth May, she is innocent.Show MoreRelatedAnalysis Of The Poisonwood Bible1093 Words   |  5 PagesTitle of Work: â€Å"The Poisonwood Bible† Author: Barbara Kingsolver. Date of Publication: 1998. Genre: Historical Fiction. Writing Style: five narrators to show different perspectives of the events that occur. Orleanna creates vivid images of her past and uses descriptive language, Rachel talks informally, Leah uses a lot of dialogue and is informed, Adah uses palindromes, has a sarcastic tone, uses descriptive language as well, and Ruth May’s style is simple and playful. Point of View(s): first-personRead MoreThe Poisonwood Bible, And The Movie1399 Words   |  6 Pagesadversity which are sacrifices. In this independent study unit, Barbara Kingsolver’s novel, The Poisonwood Bible, and the movie â€Å"In America,† demonstrates the difficulties of being an immigrant as a result of different cultures , fear and frustration, and starting a new life. Both the book and movie shows newly immigrants confronting adversities of adapting to a new, unfamiliar culture. In Poisonwood Bible, not being accustomed to the culture in Congo, this surprises the Price family, as Rachel PriceRead MoreThe Poisonwood Bible By. Kingsolver Essay1369 Words   |  6 PagesThe theme of â€Å"The Poisonwood Bible,† starts with the cultural selfishness of the Cogeneses people toward the western power. Most of the perspective of novel turns to feminist of four Price daughters and their mother. In the novel people of the Kilanga wants to adopt a religion which will protect them from natural disaster and starvation. Nathan Price wants to change the ancient tradition values of Congo with his own beliefs of worshiping the god. This part of Africa is ruled by the Western PowersRead MoreThe Poisonwood Bible Analysis903 Words   |  4 Pages as it is idealized in the western world, it is in different forms than what westerners are used too, but unwillingl y, individuals are forced into the westerns way of teaching, compelling them to believe it can fix all their problems. In The Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver criticizes the way religion affects an individual’s arrogance, political stance, and guilt, due to a belief that religion can fix dilemmas, and this conflicts the main characters and their own beliefs. In this novel, the PriceRead MoreKingsolver s The Poisonwood Bible1161 Words   |  5 PagesBarbara Kingsolver’s novel, The Poisonwood Bible, is about a missionary family, the Prices, who move from Bethlehem, Georgia to a small village in the Congo. They choose to move during a time when there is great upheaval about to happen in the region. The reader learns about their trials and tribulations of life in the Congo through the five Price females, who talk about the events from their own the points of view. In the beginning, I thought I would not like this book; however I found that I hadRead More Poisonwood Bible Essay1937 Words   |  8 PagesPoisonwood Bible Barbara Kingsolver is the author of many well-written pieces of literature including The Poisonwood Bible. This novel explores the beauty and hardships that exist in the Belgian Congo in 1959. Told by the wife and four daughters of a fierce Baptist, Nathan Price, Kingsolver clearly captures the realities this family and mission went through during their move to the Congo. The four daughters were raised in Atlanta Georgia in the 1950’s therefore entering the Congo with preconceivedRead MoreAnalysis Of The Poisonwood Bible1548 Words   |  7 Pages Barbara Kingsolver s novel The Poisonwood Bible captures a white southern families struggles through cultural collision and avid yet destructive faith. Kingsolver utilizes personal narratives to highlight the effect of western presence in Africa, not only pertaining to the natives but to the intrusive westerners themselves. The Price women display an array of different reactions to their quest in the Congo— each character contributes a different perspective which furthers the plot. Leah PriceRead MoreThe Poisonwood Bible By Barbara Kingsolver1241 Words   |  5 Pagesessentially every past and present known society, women have not been treated as the full equals of men. A woman s main value is to support a man, bear children, and housekeeping duties. This is how it has always been in most cultures. The novel, The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver, shows the paternalistic society in which the Price family lives in. In 1959 an obstinate Baptist minister named Nathan Pr ice drags his wife and four daughters deep into the heart of the Congo on a mission to save the unenlightenedRead MoreSummary Of The Poisonwood Bible 1318 Words   |  6 PagesAP Literature and Composition Summer Reading Assignment The Poisonwood Bible Analyzed by: Shraddha Patel contents: 6 essays  â€Å" Imagine a ruin so strange it must never have happened First, picture the forest. I want you to be its conscience, the eyes in the trees.† The effect of the above directive on the reader is that it takes us into the world that is so disparate from anything that we, the reader, could have ever imagined. It propels the reader to continue reading and disclose the mysteryRead MoreThe Poisonwood Bible By Barbara Kingsolver1124 Words   |  5 PagesIn the novel The Poisonwood Bible, written by Barbara Kingsolver, the reader is introduced to the Price family, Baptist missionaries who are attempting to â€Å"Christianize† the country of Congo, more specifically the village of Kilanga. As the story progresses, the family realizes that they are not changing the Congo; instead, the Congo is changing them. The development of the characters within the novel is due to the instrument of cruelty. Although distasteful to regard it as such, cruelty motivates