Barbara Kingsolver’s The Poisonwood Bible discusses how cruelty can often act as the driving force for social or political change. It does so by introducing Nathan Price, a missionary from the state of Georgia that exhibits various negative character traits. His ignorance and stubbornness is displayed in “Book One: Genesis” when Nathan disregards Mama Tataba’s advice and cultivates a garden with Leah his own way. He classifies her wisdom as native stupidity and believes it to be evidence of how much help is needed in the Congo. Nathan also shows his capacity for physical cruelty when Orleanna, his wife, tries to help bandage his wounds and he “batted her roughly away.” Furthermore, Nathan expresses his arrogant cruelty by constantly urging
