Kingsolver's Poisonwood Bible shows the social change that is forced upon foreign people. In the novel. The Congolese people are forced into believing a religion that they have never heard about. Christianity has a certain attitude of trying to enforce the religion on to people. A major part of the religion is to go out and preach in order to spread and multiply the amount of people that believe in God. The author, however, wishes to change that idea that religion forces people into belief by showing a situation where the converting failed and the converters are kicked out of the country for their disrespect and shame.
The whole book is based around the character Nathan. He moves to the Congo in order to convert the Congolese hoping to give them "hope". But he fails miserably. Then he proceeds to try and civilize the Congolese which again fails. Nathan can't realize the fact that these people are beyond able to be civilized. His character is symbolic of nations that try to civilize third-world countries that cannot be civil. Nathan portrays the aggressive nature of religion and strong countries to enforce their beliefs on others.
The author uses the whole Price family to symbolize the impossibility of what Nathan is trying to achieve. Orleanna shows the persistence of the people that try to enforce their beliefs, Leah and Adah represent the inevitable failure of trying to make a copy of a nation, Rachel represents the corrupt, sycophantic attitude of the enforcers., and Ruth May represents the little hope that ends up dying because of failure. Throughout the whole novel, it shows how each character fails in the Congo when they try to intervene in foreign affairs.
The Poisonwood Bible personifies the essence of failure into a family of different people in order to show the outcome of trying to civilize a nation. Kingsolver modifies what religion and a lot of strong forces of nature try to do to vulnerable, weak victums; however, she doesn't show the success of the attempt, rather the failure of it. By using symbolism through the main protagonists, Kingsolver influences the audience's view of mainstream religion and power.
Interesting points, it made met think about it from a different point of view. Your sentences are kind of short and choppy, but you have good content. You have good depictions of characters and their purpose.
ReplyDeleteYour third paragraph really helped explain your idea of failure and I think it was very strong. Your thesis statement was somewhat confusing, but overall I think this was a good essay.
ReplyDeleteVery good points. The angle of Christianity imposing itself on others is a great point. I read the people and I probably woudln't have gotten that one. Just make sure that your introduction includes what stylistic devices you will be talking about in the essay. Good job overall.
ReplyDeletehmmm, no compassion. Anyway, "Leah and Adah represent the inevitable failure of trying to make a copy of a nation" Brilliant! Why didn't I think of that? Ah cuz you're just BRILLIANT that's why! Good examples and great ideas. I'll just say on this one that I agree with Kathryn, your sentences weren't choppy, choppy, but you could have developed them more. Other than that great essay, mate.
ReplyDeleteGreat essay, reading it helped me to pick up on some symbolism that i missed. :D
ReplyDeletethaaaaaaaaaaaaaanks guys :D
ReplyDelete