Of Injustice and Insurgence
When confronted by oppression and exploitation, some individuals possess certain traits that predispose them towards eventual rebellion against these forces.
There is no better character to exemplify this than Leah Price seeing as her bravery and inquisitiveness work in conjunction to incite her to challenge her father’s authority. From the beginning of the Poisonwood Bible, Nathan’s despotic ways are evident as he forbids the Price women from exploring Kilanga or interacting with its villagers. As the novel progresses and Leah grows increasingly distant from Nathan, Orleanna lauds her daughter’s newfound insubordinate nature and implores that she refrain from being preyed on by Nathan’s hunger for dominance. “For …show more content…
Even though the African nation experiences no resounding victory, the novel still draws to a close with an optimistic outlook as Leah reflects on her future in the Congo. “It’s taken ten years and seems like a miracle, but the Americans are losing in Angola. Their land mines are still all over the country…but in my dreams I still have hope” (Kingsolver 607). Leah is emphasizing that Angola may be war-torn still, but it is making progress towards freedom. During years of oppression under Belgian rule, the Congolese proletariat were kept subservient and uneducated, and though citizens were growing tired of this way of life, nothing improved until one individual or a group of like individuals made the executive decision to revolt. The meek are not predisposed to be dissidents: in order to instigate a coup there must be a leader who is both passionate and courageous. Those with valor have an intrinsic inclination towards insurgence in the face of tyranny and only those who are passionate have the audacity for bold acts of rebellion such as those organized by the Angolan militia. These traits working in unison prevent them from succumbing to their circumstances and spur them to fight back. What’s more is that the actions of these individuals provide an opportunity for more deferential Congolese to follow suit under their lead.
When confronted by oppression and exploitation, some individuals possess certain traits that predispose them towards eventual rebellion against these forces.
There is no better character to exemplify this than Leah Price seeing as her bravery and inquisitiveness work in conjunction to incite her to challenge her father’s authority. From the beginning of the Poisonwood Bible, Nathan’s despotic ways are evident as he forbids the Price women from exploring Kilanga or interacting with its villagers. As the novel progresses and Leah grows increasingly distant from Nathan, Orleanna lauds her daughter’s newfound insubordinate nature and implores that she refrain from being preyed on by Nathan’s hunger for dominance. “For …show more content…
Even though the African nation experiences no resounding victory, the novel still draws to a close with an optimistic outlook as Leah reflects on her future in the Congo. “It’s taken ten years and seems like a miracle, but the Americans are losing in Angola. Their land mines are still all over the country…but in my dreams I still have hope” (Kingsolver 607). Leah is emphasizing that Angola may be war-torn still, but it is making progress towards freedom. During years of oppression under Belgian rule, the Congolese proletariat were kept subservient and uneducated, and though citizens were growing tired of this way of life, nothing improved until one individual or a group of like individuals made the executive decision to revolt. The meek are not predisposed to be dissidents: in order to instigate a coup there must be a leader who is both passionate and courageous. Those with valor have an intrinsic inclination towards insurgence in the face of tyranny and only those who are passionate have the audacity for bold acts of rebellion such as those organized by the Angolan militia. These traits working in unison prevent them from succumbing to their circumstances and spur them to fight back. What’s more is that the actions of these individuals provide an opportunity for more deferential Congolese to follow suit under their lead.