The Poisonwood Bible has had many themes surrounding the story, its characters, and the messages. Themes that come and go throughout the book are that things happen for a reason, everyone is equal, and don’t judge a book by its cover. Orleanna is the base of the story. She’s the wise and motherly figure, obviously, to some people; especially her daughters. She becomes depressed after one of her daughters died. Ruth May was killed by a snake and Orleanna feels guilty for her death. As a mother, seeing her daughter die obviously had its impact on Orleanna. Any mother would feel guilt or depression after such a traumatic experience, as parents expect themselves to die before their kids. No parent ever thinks that an event like that will happen …show more content…
However, this novel can be interpreted as a political or a religious allegory. This novel discusses the events happening in Africa and the Congo, for the political standpoint. It also shows how people can be treated or feel when they visit Africa, after their ancestors did Africans so dirty. Some people, such as Rachel and Nathan, will remain in a very close-minded mindset, while some people, such as Orleanna and Adah, see the effects of what has been done to Africa. They are compassionate and try to understand the Kilanga people. The religious allegory standpoint is quite obvious, as the Price family is a Christian missionary group who go to Africa. They go to try and spread/educate the Christian message to Africa and its people. There can be pushy force to spreading it, like Nathan has, or there can be a way to educate without shoving it down the African people’s throats. Forcing it makes them think negatively about it while educating them gives them a choice and won’t give them bad impressions of the religion. Kingsolver believes that everyone is slightly complicit and that may be true. Not everyone has bad intentions when they are slightly complicit, but it is still illegal or wrong to do whatever they may be involved in. Some people want to make change and help the world become a better, equal place for people and animals to live in, but some just want to scam their way through life and get places by other people already doing all the hard work. Some people can be amazing and make mistakes, or others know exactly what they’re going, good intentions or not, and are okay with possibly ruining something good for someone else. There may be a little bit of complicit in everyone, but not always purposefully or on a malicious