Novel+Data+Sheet


 * Title: Poisonwood Bible **
 * Author: Barbara Kingsolver **
 * Date of Publication:1998 **
 * Literary Period: Modern **
 * Genre: Historical/Domestic Fiction **


 * Describe the setting and then explain the relevance of the setting. **
 * The setting is post-colonial Africa. Mainly the city of Kilango in the Congo. Importance of the setting is that the jungle ever represents life and death and with that change also. The Congo changes form a natural standpoint and also a political standpoint. In addition each of the main female characters change. **


 * Themes (These statements should be complete sentences and completely developed ideas) **
 * Some experiences scar humans and make us think that we must bear the burden our entire lives no matter what. This occurs to Nathan Price. **
 * Paternalism **


 * Plot Summary (Please do not copy and paste. Simply list the high points of the novel) - Consider creating a visual flow chart or graph and posting it here. **
 * A Georgian preacher, his wife, and children relocate to the Congo with hopes of missionary work. however they bring the wrong things and fail to develop contacts with their new community and soon realize their efforts are in vain. **

Here, bodily damage is more or less considered to be a by-product of living, not a disgrace" (Adah, 72). "When you are good, bad things can still happen. And if you are bad, you can still be lucky" (Anatole, 309). Reminds me of Proverbs and how "And still your father came here determined to plant his American garden in the Congo" (Anatole, 284). "Stick out your elbows, pick up your feet, and float along with the crowd!" (Rachel, 405). This quote best expresses Rachel's knack for survival regardless of the rules she must bend. In addition it shows how she regards her self as superior and believes it as her right to not suffer in the least. She uses ample white privilege.
 * Memorable Quotes and their SIGNIFICANCE. **
 * Nathan does not understand the fact that American norms cannot fit in an alternate society. Its interesting that, despite Leah's quote on pg.490, she still plants an American garden (the subsistence farms) in Africa. **

"You can't just assume that what's right or wrong for us is the same as what was rightor wrong for them" (Leah, 490).
 * Leah begins to realize the mistake of her father's ideologies. Societal norms are structured and unique from society to society. The Price family cannot expect the Congo to behave like America. Furthermore some American flattery may be insults and some American taboos may be acceptable. **


 * Describe the significance of the opening scene. **
 * I immediately recognized the foreshadowing of death on every single page of the opening scene. The opening scene emanates the lack of purpose with which the main characters proceed. Something will haunt Orleanna for the rest of her life. The opening scene warns the reader to be wary of "what sympathy" (pg 5) the characters deserve. That omen reminds the reader to analyze the text carefully. **


 * Describe the significance of the closing scene. **
 * Orleanna finds forgiveness from Ruth May. (Actually Orleanna is finally able to cope with the reality of the Africa experience and tragedy and forgives herself). At this point Orleanna dies in peace and begins an example for the Price women to follow-gaining self confidence, and through Oleanna's death, a rebirth and end to the battle for forgiveness. **


 * Describe the author's style and provide examples from the text. **
 * The same author that tells the reader to be cautions of "your sympathies" toward the characters ironically writes with the Point of View of each of the females. **


 * List importance characters and their significance. **
 * Orleanna Price is synonymous with the parrot Methuselah. Suddenly, a free soaring bird is caged and sentenced to long years of captivity, slowly losing its hope and ability of freedom. As sudden as the first time Nathan uncages the bird or rather issues its death sentence since the bird can no longer survive alone. **


 * 1) **Nathan Price: Patriarch and Southern Baptist preacher who carries strong guilt and a stubborn resolution to ease the guilt which serves as his fatal flaw. **
 * 2) **Orleanna Price: Her obligatory submission to her husband robs her of a personal relationship with her husband and children and saps her life until she uncharacteristically makes a decision for herself and moves on. However she is forever plagued by the guilt of her inability to act early enough until the very end of her life. **
 * 3) **Rachel Price: The oldest daughter. Very vain and materialistic and self-centered. Will insure her survival and forsake morality. **
 * 4) **Leah Price: Adah's outspoken twin sister. Seeks her father’s approval until she realizes his flaws and marries Anatole. **
 * 5) **Adah Price: Suffers from birth injury called hemiphlegia which causes her to walk with a limp. She sees everything in a unique way and is incredibly bright. **
 * 6) **Ruth May Price: The youngest of the Price children. She understands more than anyone around her realizes. She is killed by a mamba snake but is kept alive through her mother and sister’s guilt for her death. **
 * 7) **Anatole Ngemba: African orphan who was rescued and educated by missionaries. He is not afraid to take a stand and defend himself which contrasts the characters of the rest of the Price family. He marries Leah and together they live in the Congo and have 4 children.**