The Poisonwood Bible Recap
By: Nikki Lee
This past week, the class started reading The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. The book relates the story of the Price family moving to Kilanga, Africa because of Mr. Price’s missionary job. The girls and the mother do not like the idea of leaving Georgia, but pack their things and move to Kilanga for the following year.
During the year, the mother and girls adjust to Congo life as they are used to life in Georgia where they are able to obtain luxury goods and do activities that are enjoyable and energetic. The girls have a hard time adjusting to Congo life, especially Rachel who does not like the idea that she has to spend her 16th birthday in Africa and away from proper civilization. Kingsolver describes each of the children as being different from each other and independent on their own needs. Leah idealizes her father above the rest of the children, Ruth May is adventurous and will do anything as she pleases, Adah is observant and calm, and Rachel is a stuck-up priss who only sees the world in her own perspective.
The Price girls go through tough times that challenge who they are and what they wish to achieve in life, whether it be to please another or to be better than the rest. Kingsolver wants the community to see life in another perspective and to enjoy the gifts we are given and to not take them for granted.
