During imperialism, modern ideas are often inflicted on natives of foreign countries that aren't developed. Missionaries are sent to “civilize” natives who were perfectly fine before. Missionaries believe they are “helping” natives by forcing their ideas and religion upon them and taking away their native customs and religions. In H.T. Johnson’s poem, The Black Man’s Burden, it is made clear that sometimes people native to countries such as Africa do not want to have modern ideas forced upon them. This is similar to The Poisonwood Bible, where a family of missionaries come to Africa, but are not welcomed after a while. In the novel, The Poisonwood Bible, Kingsolver portrays that people do not always want to be “helped” by missionaries. Often times, native people want to keep their customs and religious beliefs because they know no different, and do not want change forced on them.
In The Poisonwood Bible, the Price family travels to Africa to be missionaries. They feel it is their duty to “civilize” the natives of Kilanga, especially Nathan Price. The natives did not need to be civilized because they already were in their own way, just not in the way Nathan wanted them to be. The natives already established their religion, customs, and ways of living. Nathan felt it was his duty to convert them to Christianity and modern ways
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The Kilangas began realizing they didn't want Nathan controlling their beliefs. This is exemplified when the Kilangas have a poll at church, which Nathan highly disagrees with and tries putting a stop to. They did not listen. Additionally, they continued with their typical lives, ignoring the Price family's opinions of them. Often times, they wouldn't even show up to church. The Price family became a burden to their everyday lives, especially Nathan. The sheer ignorance of culture the Price family had led to a change in how the Kilangas viewed the