A Character Analysis Of Leah Price

Even with five daughters, only one of them desires a relationship with their father, Nathan Price, and that is the older of the twins, Leah Price. Being only fourteen (and a half) years old when Nathan takes his family to Africa, she is determined to stick by her father and be the best missionary in his eyes. The Price’s have the privilege of residing in the best house in Kilanga, which was previously run out of by past missionary families. However, before the Price family flew in, they were only allocated a certain weight limit for baggage on the plane. This is an early foreshadowing of how Leah is very minimal and only uses what is necessary. “When I stare at them with the rainy-season light in my eyes and Congo grit in my teeth, I can hardly …show more content…
Young Leah views her father as a god himself. Worshipping him, trusting him, and sacrificing for him, yet receiving nothing in return. She wants nothing more than his approval as a distinguished and religious daughter, disparate from her sisters. Her home back in Georgia is where Leah develops her close, yet one sided, relationship with her father. Since he seldom allowed his children to attend school or spend their free time doing anything other than having their noses stuck in their Bibles, the perfect opportunity arose for Leah to pry closer to her father’s fondness. Africa especially allowed Leah to spend more time with her father, given the minimal amount of privacy or pass times. While her sisters tended to help their mother around the house, the outdoorsy Leah states, “I preferred to help my father work on his garden.” (Kingsolver, 35) Even with the neglection of her father, she still chooses to remain close. She strives to achieve his acknowledgement as a Godly daughter, even when he strikes against her. “If only I could ever bring forth all that I knew quickly enough to suit Father,” (Kingsolver 37) Leah