Poison wood Bible Flashcards
(31 cards)
Who wrote The Poisonwood Bible?
Barbara Kingsolver
Who is Nathan Price?
A rigid, evangelical Baptist missionary and father, obsessed with converting the Congolese, representing Western arrogance.
Who is Orleanna Price?
Nathan’s wife, a passive figure at first who later gains agency and reflects on guilt and complicity.
Who is Leah Price?
One of the Price daughters, who starts as devoted to Nathan but evolves into a socially aware woman who stays in the Congo.
Who is Adah Price?
Leah’s twin, mute and sarcastic, highly intelligent; she observes more than she speaks and values science.
Who is Rachel Price?
The vain and shallow daughter, obsessed with materialism and American culture.
Who is Ruth May Price?
The youngest daughter, innocent and curious; her death is a turning point in the story.
What are the major themes in The Poisonwood Bible?
Cultural imperialism, guilt and redemption, family and identity, postcolonialism, and the consequences of religious fanaticism.
What is the basic plot of The Poisonwood Bible?
The Price family travels to the Congo on a missionary trip. The novel explores the clash of cultures, the fallout from colonialism, and the family’s transformation—especially the daughters—as they grow and deal with tragedy.
What does the poisonwood tree symbolize?
Miscommunication and cultural arrogance—Nathan uses it to preach ‘Jesus is poisonwood’ instead of ‘Jesus is precious.’
What does Ruth May’s death symbolize?
The cost of ignorance and innocence lost; it catalyzes change in Orleanna and the daughters.
What does Nathan’s belief in ‘There’s a great sacrifice required in the name of salvation’ illustrate?
Nathan’s blind belief in religion over reason; a theme of destructive faith.
What does the quote ‘Africa swallowed the conqueror’s music and sang a new song of her own’ reflect?
Postcolonial resilience and the failure of imperialism to dominate indigenous identity.
What is the narrative structure of The Poisonwood Bible?
Multiple first-person narrators (the daughters and Orleanna), offering differing perspectives and unreliable narration.
What literary device is central to Adah’s narration?
Palindromes and wordplay—symbolizing how she sees the world uniquely and analytically.
How does Kingsolver use irony in the novel?
Irony underscores the Price family’s ignorance and the failure of their mission.
Where and when is The Poisonwood Bible set?
The Belgian Congo (later Zaire) during the late 1950s and 60s, around the time of Congolese independence from Belgium.
How does the political turmoil in Congo mirror the Price family’s story?
Just as Congo seeks freedom from colonial rule, the daughters seek independence from their father’s control.
How does Leah Price change over the course of the novel?
She moves from idolizing her father to rejecting his beliefs, becomes politically aware, and chooses to stay in Congo and fight for justice.
How does Adah’s character reflect a theme of perspective?
Her silent observations give her unique insights. Her physical disability parallels how she sees what others don’t. She later gains speech, reflecting personal growth.
How does Rachel’s character reflect satire?
Her ignorance and vanity are exaggerated to critique shallow Western values and cultural superiority.
How is Nathan Price portrayed in relation to religion?
As a symbol of destructive religious zealotry—unwilling to adapt, obsessed with conversion, and ultimately isolated.
What does Nathan’s failure in the Congo suggest about missionary work?
That imposing beliefs without understanding culture can cause harm and alienation.
