Poisonwood Bible Setting

Poisonwood Bible-

Setting

Time

The novel takes place between 1960 and 1990, a time during which the Congo was in a state of political turmoil due to the interference of Western nations in the culture and lives of the Congolese. This time for the "civilized" nations is portrayed as one of ignorance, which is represented symbolically through Nathan as "the conqueror" in the novel. His attitude towards the culture of the people of Kilanga, and the way in which they behave, is parallel to the general Western attitude of "better than you".

"'Nakedness,' Father repeated, ' and darkness of the soul! For we shall destroy this place where the loud clamor of the sinners is waxen great before the face of the Lord." (Nathan Price, 27)

Theme

The nature of human life directly relates to how humans will adapt and change for the better. Things are different in the Congo to Atlanta, because how the natural environment allowed humans to adapt to their setting in different ways.

"I'm alive in hell" (Rachel Price, 301).

Congo

The Congo is the place of development for the Price Family. It is what will change their lives and nurture it. Most of the Price family look at the Congo as a place of disdain, immediately comparing it to their home in America. Especially in Kilanga, Nathan already judges the natives based on nakedness, condemning their culture and the nature of where they are. In the Congo, it is the numerous actions that evoke the change of opinion in Adah, Leah, Orleanna, and Ruth May. The Congo,in context of a setting, is a place of change.

"At first Mama got after us for staring and pointing at people. She was all the time whispering, "Do I have to tell you girls ever single minute don't stare!" But now Mama looks too. Sometimes she says to us or just herself, Now Tata Zinsana is the one missing all the fingers, isn't he? Or she'll say, That big gouter like a goose egg under her chin, that's how I remember Mama Nguza" (Orleanna Price, 53).

Character view points

At first many of the Price’s notice the contrast of the jungle to the their own home, how these people dwell and survive, having to learn their environment such as Adam and Eve, but soon they became accustomed to the environment and make connections how this society not so different from their own.

"We are supposed to be calling the shots here, but it doesn't look to me like we're in charge of a thing, not even our own selves" (Rachel Price, 22)

Symbols

Throughout the entirety of the book, Kingsolver implants symbols within the story in order to induce the feeling of a situation in order to indite and involve the reader. Much of the book involves the meaning of freedom and the meaning of superiority and inferiority in a completely new level as the Congo deals with trying to overcome these complexes and live in peace, with no problem. It is the place that the Congo is; a place of change, that these actions are happening, so that the Congo can reach its epitome of true peace and change.

"In a burst of light Methuselah opened his wings and fluttered like freedom himself to the top of our Kennedy wonder vines and the highest boughs of the jungle that will surely take back everything once we are gone." (Leah Price, 82)

Georgia

Georgia in the novel represents a place of restoration for the characters of Orleanna as well as Adah. Orleanna is able to look back on her years spent in the Congo with guilt and regret at her inability to raise her children sufficiently as well as her lack of knowledge of the political events which were taking place all around her. Much like the American citizens during this time were entirely unaware of the events taking place in the Congo despite their ability to cause change, Orleanna was blinded to the fact that she was so close to being a part of something greater yet consumed by little things like putting food on the table, and even doing that insufficiently.

"Conquest and liberation and democracy and divorce are words that mean squat, basically, when you have hungry children and clothes to get out on the line and it looks like rain" (Orleanna Price, 383).

Thanks for participating!

Made by

Jason, Mike, and Skyler

After learning of our exquisite view of setting, we're going to play a game!

After learning about our unique way of describing our settings, let's play a game!

Instructions

1. You will be playing a matching game.

2. All groups will be given a set of cards and match them all correctly with the bolded groups (Time, Georgia, and Congo)

3. The first group that matches all cards correctly will win a prize.