Themes In The Poisonwood Bible

Sometimes a father is not the best influence on their daughter. Barbara Kingosolver’s The Poisonwood Bible explores Reverend Nathan Price’s religious dreams and his journey deep into the heart of the Congo with his loyal wife Orleanna and their vastly different daughters, Adah, Leah, Ruth May, and Rachel. As the story opens, Leah Price works the most to gain her father’s attention and does all she can to mimic his actions and opinions. In a turn of events, Leah grows up and develops a new admiration for the Congolese culture. Dramatically shifting to where she no longer adores her father, Leah instead ridicules his way of life. Nathan Price’s indifferent paternal mentorship to his affectionate daughter is the main factor for Leah’s drastic

After failing to know the answer to Nathan’s question about God’s grace, Leah is disappointed in herself and wishes “if only I [she] could ever bring forth all that I [she] knew quickly enough to suit Father” (37). Leah devotes herself to her father’s expectations similar to how she devotes herself to God and does not receive any validation back from her father. Similarly, Christians do not have physical evidence of reciprocated love and therefore require a strong foundation of faith; Leah’s strong foundation in God parallels her support in her father. However, after gaining a new perspective on the native belief systems, Leah begins to distance herself from Nathan’s religious patriarchal authority and looks to find a new source she can adore. From the beginning when the Price family settles in the Congo, Leah acts the way she does because she “crave[s] heaven

When Leah desires to be like the natives but Nathan condemns her from hunting, Leah defies her father and goes “out with the men and that’s final” (340). In a turn of events, Leah no longer fears disappointing her father and ignores his rules, showing how she has grown from experiencing the Congo. Furthermore, she finally realizes that she does not need Nathan to order her what to do and think. As she matures in the African society, Leah develops a new sense of independence and an understanding of authority over herself. As Leah reminisces over her time in the Congo, she wishes she could go back and “give Father… the simple human relief of knowing you’ve done wrong, and living through it” (525). Consequently, Leah feels guilty for all her father did but fails to understand there was nothing in her power she could do to help Nathan’s lack of compassion. Regardless of finally rebelling against her father, Leah blames herself and is forced to move on from the chapter of her life involving her father. Ironically, Nathan cannot admit he is guilty and Leah cannot admit she is not. In order to put her shameful past behind her, Leah rebels against her father and his belief