Analysis Of The Poisonwood Bible

Barbara Kingsolver, author of The Poisonwood Bible, wrote the work from different perspectives throughout the book. Orleanna Price, the mother, relates stories of America and their significance to the Congo. From the selfish intentions of Rachel Price, the oldest daughter, to the loving, kind, and sincere Ruth May, the youngest daughter, The Poisonwood Bible gives character to each of the narrators within the story. Between Rachel and Ruth are a set of twins named Adah and Leigh. Leigh is the most obedient to Pastor Price, the father, even though their father doesn’t care to show love or respect to the rest of the family. Adah and Leigh are both said to be very intelligent, but Adah and Leigh differ greatly in one aspect: Adah was born with a rare disease called Hemiplegia. This disability affects an entire half of Adah’s body and so she sees the world differently than the rest of the family. Because of the difference in perspective, Adah’s narration in the novel creates a better perspective of life, judgments, and feelings in relation to how societies should be.

The story starts out with the Price family moving to the Congo as father, religious clergy and God fearing man, tries to bring religion to the region. No one in the family wants to be there as they left many amenities at home. One aspect brought up toward the beginning was how mother brought a few cake mixes because they wouldn’t be able to get them where they were going. Although this appears to be bleak, Adah is an optimist and tries to educate herself about the Congo culture. Having a disability is strength in this case because she has had to find the positive in life.

In the mist of other family members being judgmental, Adah said, “Adah unpasses her judg...

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...ories. One which brings out the perspective is when Ames and his father are clearing the graveyard where the grandfather is buried. The cemetery is rough and full of weeds. Upon finishing their work to give some respect back to the burial plots, the sun is setting and the moon is rising on opposite sides of Ames and his father while his father is praying. Ames touches the shoulder of his father and tells him to look at the splendor. They are speechless for a moment realizing there are much greater and grander things than the task at hand.

Marriage and religion can be as confining as prison walls when embedded in the soul. Inevitably if forced, either physically, mentally or emotionally, hate and frustration will cause courage and strength to overpower it. The trick is to find balance in all things and not make marriage, religion or family a prison for others.