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.