Pantheism In The Poisonwood Bible

Barbara Kingsolver’s novel, The Poisonwood Bible, follows the story of the four Price daughters and their mother in the Congo. The Prices are originally from the southern United States, a much different place than where they now find themselves. Throughout the novel, Kingsolver uses the differences between these two countries and what they represent to enhance the meaning of the work. The Congo and the United States have many physical and cultural differences that appear throughout the entirety of the novel.

Though social media is prevalent in expressing the users ' views, it cannot be ignored that literature influences its readers greatly by the writers ' opinion. Even if many of these attempt to write an unbiased account, it is nearly impossible to completely render their work from personal beliefs. Many ideas and values come forth subtly through the characters words or the way an idea is portrayed. Religions and politics fall mostly in this category, including the question of man’s way to salvation. An adequate example of this is the Ramsay Scallop, centering on one village’s quest for atonement.

A Poisonwood Bible When describing Patrice Lumumba, Barbara Kingsolver uses complementary wording that makes the reader like him, or at least respect him. The Belgian doctor puts a cast on Ruth May’s arm on page 149 and calls Lumumba “the new soul of Africa”, which introduces Lumumba to the reader as a positive idea. When Leah sees Lumumba on pages 221-222, he’s described as “a thin, distinguished man” and that “when he stood to speak, everyone’s mouth shut... Even the birds seemed taken aback”. This portrayal makes him appear smart and scholarly and the reader is partial to him.

Two women on two different paths to self-enlightenment but both paths end in a realization that one cannot simply focus on oneself; Victorian society, the jungles of the Congo, or the person next door are a part of life. Edna, in The Awakening discovers that she cannot live outside of society’s norms; whereas, Orleanna of The Poisonwood Bible learns how deep seeded guilt can spark self-awareness. While The Awakening’s Edna develops into the beginnings of a self-actualized woman by understanding her deep inner self and finally develops into a version of herself most disillusioned, whereas, Orelanna Price from The Poisonwood Bible becomes enlightened after experiencing the death of a child and understanding how years of obedience brought her

The title, The Poisonwood Bible, is an excellent title for the plot of this book. “Tata Jesus is bangala” (331), which has two different meaning because bangala means precious and also the poisonwood tree. Reverend Price says this phrase at the end of every sermon, but he mispronounces the word bangala so that it means poisonwood tree. So the locals think he is saying “Jesus is the poisonwood tree” instead of “Jesus is precious.” This makes the title very important because it makes the Congolese not want to know God because they think He is poisonwood.

Women have come a long way to fight for their representation. Before females were allowed to vote or work they were viewed as homemakers; they were their husbands’chattels. Women were considered vulnerable and incapable of intelligence. Should women have to depend on the man of the family to represent their needs? Children of patriarchal societies should have the ability to learn even in college, whether they are male or female.

Tom developed a drinking problem and Ruth’s parents would often argue so Ruth would retreat to her reading or go outside and play with her brothers for awhile. Whenever her mother felt a migraine coming, she would have Ruth read her bible verses. Therefore, from an early age, this exposure to Christian scripture had a great impact on Ruth’s spiritual life, especially when one of the family’s many boarders introduced Emma to the theories of Christian Science. This spiritual connection between nature, science, and religion was a profound influence on the young Ruth St. Denis.

he Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver focuses on both real life and fictional events and tells the story of the Price family’s experience in the Congo. Kingsolver makes good use of foreshadowing to dramatize the tragic incidents that occur in Africa. Orleanna Price is the most reliable narrator in the novel and is used to foreshadow future events and to explain various aspects of the past. In the first chapter, Orleanna maps out all the major events that will occur throughout the book.

Pain, both physical and mental, affects every character in The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. However, the biggest loss, which is that of the Price family’s youngest child, Ruth May’s, life also brings about some positive effects as well. Here, similarly to in Twelfth Night, a person is sacrificed for the greater good. Naturally, it may be more difficult to imagine the benefit of Ruth May’s sacrifice than to imagine the benefits of Viola’s, but if given adequate thought, it becomes clear that the death of Ruth May helps the other women in the Price family to realize Nathan Price’s destructive ways. Kingsolver first exposes Leah Price’s newfound argumentative and bold personality, and her opposition towards her father in the following exchange, “”She wasn’t baptized yet,” he said.

Imagine being fourteen years old and living in a small town in Georgia, packing up as much as you can, or what could fit under your clothes and into a bag, and moving to the Congo of Africa. That’s exactly what the Price family did under their father’s will. Throughout Barbara Kingsolver 's Poisonwood Bible, Leah price experiences the Congo to its’ full potential. Both her psychological and moral traits were formed by cultural, physical, and geographical surroundings. The congolese people influence her decisions and thoughts throughout the book.

Culpability enters Adah, Leah, Rachel, Orleanna, and Ruth May; leaves Ruth May, Adah, Leah, Rachel; and continues to linger in Orleanna. Comparable to the opening scene, the ending scene of Barbra Kingsolver’s The Poisonwood Bible is a continuation of the first scene in the point of view of the deceased Ruth May Price instead of the mother Orleanna. Orleanna and her three other daughters “have come to say good-bye to Ruth May [and] wish to find her grave”(539)

This particular quote shows how Flannery O’Connor combined two themes into one concept, by taking the theme of God and Religion and Good vs. Evil and adding that into one character’s personality. O’Connor also shows, in this quote, the theme Good vs. Evil for how the grandmother attempted to convert the misfit to her religion instead of going through with his evil scheme. O’Connor’s writing style was very unique and one of a kind. She carefully drew out every character and theme to match perfection. Flannery O’Connor

While Helen embodies the ideal young lady of the 1800s – modest, submissive, and devoted to God – Jane is characterized as being passionate and stubborn. Helen’s acceptance of death and desire to go to heaven also highlights the way Jane craves adventure and independence. However, throughout the novel, Jane begins to follow Helen’s teachings and starts to follow the word of God. By contrasting Helen’s theological beliefs against those of Mr. Brocklehurst and St John Rivers, Brontë also emphasizes how Helen is more successful in spreading God’s teachings because she does not use religion as a tool for controlling Jane’s true nature. The character of Helen Burns not only plays an important role in helping Jane develop into a more submissive woman and devoted Christian, but her positive outlook on Christianity also emphasizes the use of religion as a tool for manipulation throughout the

Hell, the Devil, and fear of dying because she is black” (pg. 220). Anne Moody’s use of word choice and punctuation show that she is more concerned of some fears than others, however, Moody allows the reader to see that power can not control all

The human mind is engineered to be curious and determine their justification for existence. Yet, even more imperative, religion is detrimental for all functioning societies. Even the biologically modified Crakers are not resistant to this conception in Margaret Atwood’s post apocalyptic dystopian novel Oryx and Crake. This cult classic’s plot revolves around one man’s plan to eradicate humanity and be replaced with primitive yet flawless human-like creatures called Crakers. These advanced creatures possess traits that mimic primal neanderthals, including religion.