Moral Values In The Poisonwood Bible

methods, he inspired his students to be themselves and act like individuals. He teaches them to

Over a period from 1960-1965, the first Republic of the Congo experienced a period of serious crisis. There was a terrible war for power that displayed senseless violence and the desperation to rule. There were many internal conflicts among the people. The country eventually gained independence from Belgium. For many countries this would be a time for celebration. Unfortunately for the people of the Congo this became a time to forget. Almost immediately after independence and the general elections, the country went into civil war. Major developed cities like Katanga and Kasai wanted to be independent from the Lumumba government. Different factions started to fight the government and Katanga and Kasai tried to secede from the rest

America has been, and still is, known for its obsession with materialism and ignorance towards lifestyles not surrounded by grandeur. Success in America could be defined as a life full of incredible wealth and few worldly problems, whereas success in a third world country can be defined as simply living to have healthy children. Are Americans truly aware of the stark difference between their own lives and the lives of the majority of humanity? Probably not. In The Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver uses the character of Rachel to represent, explore, and explain these American cultural issues. Rachel Price represents the voluntary ignorance, political issues, and materialism woven throughout the novel and America.

of the people in his city and he becomes loved. He did a great deed for his people, and he felt very gratifying about it. Although this played a role in his personality

In Barbara Kingsolver’s novel, The Poisonwood Bible, the reader is introduced to Patrice Lumumba, the first Prime Minister of the Republic of the Congo, through the voices of the fictional Price women. Unlike the Price family, Patrice Lumumba was a non-fictional character who was elected and served only 7 months as the Congo’s Prime Minister. His reign was brought short by his execution in 1961. Though his tenure may have been short and occurred more than 50 years ago, Patrice Lumumba remains to this very day, an important man in history.

wife and extremely selfish. He refused to leave the Congo when not only he, but his family too was in danger. This ultimately caused the death of Ruth May, his daughter.

The Poisonwood Bible is the story of the Price family and their journey in the Congo. The novel is told from the perspective of the daughters Rachel, Leah, Adah, and Ruth May. The family suffers because of their father Nathan Price’s selfishness. The villainous acts of Nathan result in the loss of a family member and the feeling of guilt bestowed among all of the characters.

hardship that he couldn’t be accepted by the natives no matter how long he has been in there. He

People in some societies have faced situations that changed them in unique ways. The Poisonwood Bible written by Barbara Kingsolver represents how people are affected by horrific events and different cultures. This is caused by the missionary father; Nathan having led his family to spread their own beliefs in the Congo. In return, each Price woman is influenced in unique ways, according to their own perspectives. Unique ways is included in how transformations were due to the effects of losing someone or something. Ruth May’s death as well as individual experiences in the Congo, act as the catalysts for change in each of the Price woman, transforming their “core selves”

his family and surrounding people that his exile ran much deeper than a move to the Congo. His

In July of 1956, Lumumba was sentenced to two years imprisonment for embezzling $2,520 from the post office for the Association des Evolués. After the Association returned the money, Lumumba’s sentence was reduced to 12 months, which began his career as a prisoner, leaving and re-entering the prison system for the next five years. During his 1956-1957 imprisonment, Lumumba wrote Congo, My Congo, 200 pages to “make a contribution towards the search for a solution for the present and future problems of the Congo” (Lumumba 7). Because this book was not published until after Lumumba’s death, it did not have an impact on the independence movement, but the views Lumumba wrote about certainly did.

- How did they impact those involved in his life? (Also mention who was impacted)

Barbara Kingsolver’s novel “The Poisonwood Bible” is a novel centered around the idea of self-sacrifice for the betterment of a group. However, it is revealed to the reader through the character of Nathan Price that one man's sacrifice may lead to a more grim outcome. Nathan Price is a war veteran as well as a pastor and father; however this combination of things paired with the constant reminder of his company dying in the Bataan Death March creates a character with a flawed set of values willing to risk his own life as well as his families lives in order to save the souls of the Congolese. The creation of the character of Nathan Price was one heavily influenced by the men who fought in WW2 and struggle with the deaths of many of their friends.

Although both novels portray individuals learning to assimilate into Congolese society, they way they conduct their fusion of cultures are vastly different. Although individuals may choose to adapt to their surroundings, rather than to reject them, there are various degrees to their change. Leah, upon exposure to the Congolese, the racism in Leopold, and Lumumba trying to make the Congo “the heart of light”, she began to respect and view the Congo as a place where individuals fought for their freedoms (Kingsolver 184). She took her place in Congolese culture, as she wished to support Anatole on his endeavors to help the Congolese come closer to freedom. In stark contrast, Kurtz found his way to assimilate into Congolese society by taking on the role of a “deity” where his words were the law (Conrad 88). Both characters

Celie is inspired by her sister’s independence, determination and perseverance in Africa among foreign people whom Nettie cares about deeply. Celie saw the impact that a woman could have on others and felt