Changes In The Poisonwood Bible

In Barbara Kingsolver’s novel, The Poisonwood Bible, a Christian family, the Prices, are forced to go to the Congo in the village of Kilanga due to the religious minded, power-hungry father, Nathan Price. Nathan, who insisted that he and his family be the family that goes on the missionary trip despite the state of the Congo, felt that he would be able to convert its people over to christianity. The family, consisting of Nathan, the father, Orleanna, the mother, and

Rachel, Leah, Adah, and Ruth May, the daughters, are used to their laid-back American style of living in Bethlehem, Georgia, surrounded by english speaking neighbors, stores and markets, and devout christian followers. These geographical, physical, and cultural surroundings had already shaped the members of

For example, towards the end of the Novel as Leah had to provide for her children in Anatole’s absence she was able to with what little she had. This change can not only be given to physical surroundings but, also to her new found motherly responsibility.

In conclusion, Leah, the second eldest, of the Price daughters changes a lot throughout the progression of this novel. The changes she undergoes can be given to the fact the she was

Block 5 placed in a new geographical, physical, and cultural area. “And, after all, our surrounding influence our lives and characters as much as fate, destiny, or any supernatural agency” (Pauline

Hopkins). This quote depicts the idea of change due to our surrounds and it is evident that Leah undergoes inconceivable change throughout the novel. Through Leah’s change this illuminates the entire work because it give women a sense of independence, and it breaks the gender barriers and gender roles that were associated with men and women at the given time. Also it adds to the idea of positive self perception and self empowerment since Leah finds her own will and takes a step out from her