Poisonwood Bible Blog 4

A Family Tragedy 
    In an unexpected course of events Ruth May Price, the youngest of four daughters to Nathan and Orleanna Price of Georgia, died in a tragic snake encounter during their mission trip in the Congo.
   Sister to the deceased, Leah Price, recalled, "I only remember hearing a gulp and a sob and a scream all at onc, the strangest cry, like a baby taking its first breath. We couldn't tell where it came from, but strangely enough, we all looked up at the treetops." The four girls were in their back yard when it happened while their parents were asleep indoors. Nelson, a Congolese friend of the family, attempted to administer first aid. Family and neighbors are still grieving her untimely death.

The Poisonwood Bible- Blog 5

   The very last two sentences of The Poisonwood Bible very clearly and concisely reveal one of the themes of the entire novel: "Move on. Walk forward into the light." Kingsolver utilizes this as a message to the reader. Although everyone's lives will ultimately be struck with difficulties, and even tragedies like the Price family, one must continue to strive forward through difficulties for greatness, and even eternal light and happiness. The "light" cannot be achieved without forgiveness, and that is exactly what Kingsolver wants the reader to take away from this book. Just as Ruth May forgives her family in the last chapter of the book, so do we readers need to try and forgive those people who have done wrong in our lives.

Poisonwood Bible Blog 3

    The ant attack that happens at the Price's village reveals a lot about each and every character within the Price family. Orleanna especially faces a major trial: she must choose between two of her daughters (Ruth May, and Adah) which to save.
    Adah says, "Only my mother stood still. There she was, planted before me in the path, rising on thin legs out of the rootless devouring earth. In her arms, crosswise like a load of kindling, Ruth May. She studied me for a moment, weighing my life, then nodded, shifted the load in her arms, turned away." In the end, Orleanna was forced to make a choice of which daughter she valued more and which one was more valuable to save. As the reader, it seems almost unforgivable to leave one of your children behind, but at the same time Orleanna couldn't physically carry both girls. But is it fair to leave the crippled child behind to fend for herself? Is it fair to favor the youngest? Why didn't she try to save both girls? Did Orleanna make the right decision? And what would we readers do in that situation? The answers to these questions will vary from person to person depending on their morals and their opinions, but one thing is for sure: the depths of Orleanna Price's personality were revealed through this dramatic event.

The Poisonwood Bible Blog 2- Orleanna

   As Orleanna reflects on experiences in Africa, she finds many of the experiences "impossible to bear." As the wife of an overly controlling preacher, her independence and individuality are basically nonexistent. Although most of her days in the Congo consist of doing everything necessary to uphold the lifestyle her children and husband expect including everything from boiling water, household cleaning, and cooking all the while starving herself. She spends hours upon hours of "cutting or pounding or dashing" some food item into "something (her) family would tolerate." To Orleanna, her only current purpose in life is to adapt to increasingly difficult situations in the Congo. But Orleanna didn’t always have to concentrate solely on the well being of others. The loss of herself, so to speak, began when over bearing Nathan Price came into her life. Although Nathan whole-heartily believes that he is spreading the word of God, his backwards, hypocritical mindset towards “loving thy neighbor” stifles his relationship with his wife, children, and the people around him, even to the point of killing whatever spirit inside his wife. Fortunately, however, Orleanna is starting to stand up for herself and the well being of her children.

The Poisonwood Blble- Blog 1

    There were multiple instances within the first reading where Kingsolver utilized metaphorical devices to emphasize the intent of her work.

    First of all, there is an abundant use of irony. As punishment for wrong doing, the Price girls are sentenced with “the dreaded Verse,” (pg. 59) that is to say they must copy out verses from the bible. Ruth May even goes to say that the common “household punishment” is worse than a “mere thrashing for…sins.” A holy book intended to bestow words of goodness, love, and peace upon the faithful, is used in this case to “castigate” (reprimand severely) the innocent Price sisters.

    Similarly Methuselah, the household pet bird, holds metaphorical significance. “Methuselah was a sly little representative of Africa itself, living openly in our household.” This bird provides the reader ample insight on the Price family’s relationship with Africa and the African people. Although father Price thinks of the bird as a “poor African bird” and “innocent creature that can only repeat what it hears,” his less arrogant and more level headed children see Methuselah, and therefore the African culture, as “not dumb.” Where Nathan overlooks the intelligence and slyness of the bird, he also underestimates the intellect of the African people. This is emphasized when Nathan ignores housekeeper, Mama Tataba’s, advice pertaining to the African method of planting a garden to uphold his ego and assumed superiority. This also provides foreshadowing to other events where Nathan’s arrogance leads him to ignore African traditions and customs therefore ultimately causing an upset.

    Overall, the first book of The Poisonwood Bible, full of symbolism and irony, provides insight to what lies ahead for the Prices as they continue their mission work in Africa. 

Kite Runner Blog 1- Baba

    Explanations and examples of Amir's dad, Baba, are many and vivid within the first two paragraphs of chapter three. Through the use of diction, descriptions, and figures of speech, the reader easily becomes familiar with Baba. 
   Firstly, Baba's superiority to (nearly) anyone else is suggested within first two sentences: the introduction of the folk-tale-like story of Baba wrestling a black bear "with his bare hands." A bear is often considered a classic representation of pure evil and strength, and for a character to defeat one is to be regarded with the utmost respect and awe, which is just the case with Baba for "no one ever doubted the veracity of any story about Baba." The use of this simple anecdote about Baba presents the majestic and even mysterious nature of Baba. 
   Secondly, the outright descriptions of Baba's stature and appearance add to his character development. Not only was Baba a "towering...six-foot-five" but he also had "a thick beard," an physical manifestation of his manliness. The use of rhetorical devices also aids in his description. A metaphor establishes his intrinsic force by saying that Baba is "a force of nature." And his social affluence is exemplified through a simile; as Baba enters a room "attention shift[s] to him like sunflowers turning to the sun." The use of both of the rhetorical devices in describing Baba reinforce Amir's opinion of him as being naturally powerful and respected. 
   Every examination of Baba's physical appearance adds to the reader's perception of his morals, attitude, and relationships.