Religious Themes
"The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver uses the microcosm of the Price family's experiences in the Belgian Congo to explore broader themes of Western exploitation and cultural imposition. Through the diverse reactions of the Price women and Nathan’s inflexible dogmatism, the novel reflects on the moral and ethical implications of imposing Christian values on unfamiliar societies. This examination raises questions about the legitimacy and morality of such impositions, as well as the complex dynamics of cultural exchange and misunderstanding.
A Spectrum of Attitudes
The Price family members embody varied perspectives on their interactions with the Congolese community. Nathan Price epitomizes the archetype of the self-assured missionary, determined to instill his beliefs, regardless of the cultural contexts he encounters. His refusal to engage with the local customs or language underscores the broader Western attitudes of superiority and entitlement. In stark contrast, his daughters Leah, Adah, and Ruth demonstrate openness and a willingness to engage with their Congolese neighbors, forming genuine connections and accepting help when needed. This contrast not only highlights the different reactions to cultural engagement but also underscores the potential for mutual respect and understanding.
The Role of Religion and Morality
Religion in "The Poisonwood Bible" serves as both a personal and societal touchstone, influencing the characters' actions and perceptions. Nathan’s inflexible religious zeal stands as a metaphor for the Western imposition of ideological beliefs on African societies. His focus on religious ideology over practical human concerns mirrors the real-world disregard for African cultural practices in favor of Western ideals. Throughout the story, the Price family's experiences and the villagers’ interactions invite readers to question the ethicality of such religious and cultural impositions.
Colonialism and Exploitation
Nathan Price’s actions are a microcosm of the larger colonial forces at play in Africa. Just as Nathan disregards the Congolese culture and landscape, so too do colonial powers exploit African resources and social structures. The novel paints a poignant picture of the colonial legacy, revealing how external political and religious influences disrupt indigenous governance and community well-being. The parallels drawn between Nathan’s personal mission and broader political agendas reflect the novel’s critique of colonial exploitation and its lingering effects on African societies.
The Theme of Forgiveness
Forgiveness is an underlying theme that threads through the narrative, inviting readers to consider its complexity and significance in personal and political contexts. The novel poses challenging questions about who is deserving of forgiveness and who has the authority to grant it. Whether it’s the familial tensions within the Price family, Nathan’s harshness towards Orleanna, the villagers’ suspicions, or the political shifts in post-colonial Congo, each scenario invites reflection on the nature of forgiveness. It becomes evident that the simplistic religious precepts of forgiveness are insufficient in the face of the multi-layered human and political conflicts depicted in the book.
"The Poisonwood Bible" deftly intertwines personal narratives with poignant social commentary, using the Price family’s time in the Congo to examine the broader themes of Western cultural imposition, colonial exploitation, and the intricate nature of forgiveness. Through this lens, Kingsolver presents a powerful narrative that challenges readers to consider the complexities of cultural interactions and the true essence of compassion and understanding in a global context.
Critique of Colonialism
The central theme is a critique of colonialism. Set against the backdrop of colonial Africa, the Price family symbolizes a colonized society. Nathan represents the oppressor, ruling his family with "a strong hand, tightly clenched." Orleanna describes him as "occupying a foreign country." In the novel, colonizers are similarly portrayed as governing "with a fatherly hand." Nathan exploits his wife and daughters...
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to further his own ambitions and confront his personal demons, showing little regard for their well-being.
Despite being the main reason for their stay in Africa, Nathan has the least understanding of the people he aims to convert compared to anyone else in his family. The Price women, to varying degrees, adapt to their environment, learn about the Congolese, and strive to survive in harsh conditions. As the Congolese seek independence, the women in Nathan's family lose faith in him as a provider and begin taking on more responsibilities. They become self-reliant but can never fully escape the consequences of their time in Africa. Similarly, African nations struggle to completely recover from European exploitation, despite gaining more control over their futures.
Clash of Religious Views
A key theme is the conflict between Congolese and Christian perspectives on religion. Book One opens with a verse from Genesis: "And God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." The Western perspective emphasizes dominating and controlling the earth, while the villagers of Kilanga have learned to live in harmony with nature and their surroundings.
The villagers worship many gods, and their religious practices are woven into their everyday lives, instead of being distinct and sacred. Nathan is appalled at the notion of using the church building for purposes other than worship, whereas Tata Ndu, the chief of Kilanga, sees it as wasteful to dedicate a structure solely for prayer. When the hunt, essential for the village's survival both physically and spiritually, leads to disputes and chaos, the Prices are accused of inciting the gods' wrath upon Kilanga.
White Supremacy
The novel explores the Belgian colonization of the Congo and the subsequent efforts by the United States to assert control over the region following its independence. The Price family finds themselves unexpectedly involved in this situation after relocating to Kilanga. When a doctor sets Ruth May's broken arm, he tries to make a point to Nathan by saying, "We Belgians made slaves of [the black Africans] and cut off their hands in the rubber plantations. Now you Americans have them for a slave wage in the mines and let them cut off their own hands." He insists that Nathan and his family "are stuck with the job of trying to make amends." However, Nathan dismisses this responsibility, asserting that "American aid will be the Congo's salvation."
Nathan and Rachel maintain and assert their authority in Africa, while the other members of the Price family struggle with feelings of guilt. Orleanna reflects on this, stating, "I was just one more of those women who clamp their mouths shut and wave the flag as their nation rolls off to conquer another in war." Leah seeks to alleviate some of the damage by dedicating herself to improving the lives of black Africans.
Free Will
Free will is the ability to make decisions without being controlled by internal compulsions or external pressures. Advocates of free will oppose the Puritan belief in predestination. This concept is evident in the relationships between Nathan, his family, and the Africans. When Nathan attempts to impose his Christian beliefs on the villagers, they resist because they already have their own spiritual and cultural traditions. Nathan's wife and daughters, lacking a strong identity outside the family unit, have allowed Nathan to dominate their lives.
Their experience in the Congo eventually motivates Orleanna and Leah to challenge Nathan and take charge of their own destinies. After Leah observes her father's self-interested actions with the Africans, she decides to resist his influence and starts embracing some of the villagers' customs.
Orleanna also becomes aware of Nathan's harsh treatment of both the Africans and his family, although her journey toward independence is more gradual. In a monologue to Ruth May, she attempts to explain her extended stay in the Congo: "I wonder what you'll name my sin: complicity? Loyalty? Stupefaction? How can you tell the difference? Is my sin a failure of virtue, or of competence. I knew Rome was burning, but I had just enough water to scrub the floor, so I did what I could." Gradually, she finds the strength to assert some degree of free will, making proactive decisions to protect her children.
When the wars of independence begin, Orleanna gathers the courage to oppose Nathan's authority, trying to convince him to leave the Congo despite knowing she will face his wrath. During the ant invasion in the village, she is confronted with the agonizing choice of which daughter to save, ultimately deciding, "When push comes to shove, a mother takes care of her children from the bottom up." Ruth's death becomes the catalyst for Orleanna to completely break free from Nathan's control and take charge of her family's future. Kingsolver suggests that the desire to shape one's own destiny can be strong enough to overcome barriers to free will.
