The complex usage of separate narrators in The Poisonwood Bible explores the idea that guilt is an individual emotion and processed by everyone differently. One of the chief concerns of Orleanna's guilt is the death of her youngest child, in response she drags her second youngest out of the reach of Africa “as if it was her last living act,” (Kingsolver 410). Orleanna's response to Ruth May’s demise has a twofold effect, first, she freed herself and Adah from the hold of Africa and Nathan Price. This action triggers Orleanna's questioning of why she waited. On the other hand, it creates a new sensation for Adah of being in someone’s debt. Adah states: “I owe a debt I cannot repay. She took hold of me with a fierce grip and pulled me through”
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in The Poisonwood Bible, she still manages to explain that not everyone actually feels guilt for their actions. An excellent example of this is the character of Rachel. Rachel throughout the book manages to prove that she does not care about other characters beyond their benefit to herself. A strong example of this is how she uses marriage as a method for increasing her position rather than developing a relationship based on trust and love in contrast with her sister Leah who marries Anatole. Rachel does not experience the extreme guilt of being given something because Rachel believes that everything in the world is designed for her. Her value is in material goods over meaningful relationships. This is exemplified by her mirror. Rachel's mirror is a reflection of her ideals and Western beliefs. A mirror reflects often the truth but in Rachel's case it is the symbol of her egotistical way. Rachel’s guilt does not manifest like her sister’s. She believes she is innocence and just a victim of a terrible circumstance. While Leah and Adah both comment on their sisters’ lack of guilt, they do not fully grasp how their sister holds herself like so. This divide between sisters is widened by the difference of perspectives that Kingsolver elegantly manages to form between them. The differenter narrators allows for each character to develop thoroughly, and sometimes not in a positive …show more content…
Instead the Nathan is portrayed through his actions and words as well as commentary from his daughters and wife. This missing narrator is a peculiar aspect of the story, yet Kingsolver justifies leaving Nathan out of the story. Kingsolver did not believe that readers would “identify with that arrogant voice” (Kingsolver). The inclusion of multiple narrators expands the opportunities for readers to connect and care about the Price women and other characters. However Nathan’s “attitude” conflicts with this connection (Kingsolver). The idea of growth and development is an important element that Nathan never experiences in The Poisonwood Bible. Yet, Nathan carries his own guilt that could be considered a catalyst for the events of the story. Orleanna crafts the tale of Nathan’s place in World War Two and the effects of surviving when others did not.The horrors from the war “curl [Nathan’s] heart like a piece of hard shoe leather” (Kingsolver 196). The war alters Nathan to the point where he is considered “ a tyrant before men”(Kingsolver 198). Nathan is so changed that he believes that he does not deserve any of the blessing of God. Nathan feels the guilt of being unworthy to such a fate. This is guilt is different from his families members. His survival from the
in The Poisonwood Bible, she still manages to explain that not everyone actually feels guilt for their actions. An excellent example of this is the character of Rachel. Rachel throughout the book manages to prove that she does not care about other characters beyond their benefit to herself. A strong example of this is how she uses marriage as a method for increasing her position rather than developing a relationship based on trust and love in contrast with her sister Leah who marries Anatole. Rachel does not experience the extreme guilt of being given something because Rachel believes that everything in the world is designed for her. Her value is in material goods over meaningful relationships. This is exemplified by her mirror. Rachel's mirror is a reflection of her ideals and Western beliefs. A mirror reflects often the truth but in Rachel's case it is the symbol of her egotistical way. Rachel’s guilt does not manifest like her sister’s. She believes she is innocence and just a victim of a terrible circumstance. While Leah and Adah both comment on their sisters’ lack of guilt, they do not fully grasp how their sister holds herself like so. This divide between sisters is widened by the difference of perspectives that Kingsolver elegantly manages to form between them. The differenter narrators allows for each character to develop thoroughly, and sometimes not in a positive …show more content…
Instead the Nathan is portrayed through his actions and words as well as commentary from his daughters and wife. This missing narrator is a peculiar aspect of the story, yet Kingsolver justifies leaving Nathan out of the story. Kingsolver did not believe that readers would “identify with that arrogant voice” (Kingsolver). The inclusion of multiple narrators expands the opportunities for readers to connect and care about the Price women and other characters. However Nathan’s “attitude” conflicts with this connection (Kingsolver). The idea of growth and development is an important element that Nathan never experiences in The Poisonwood Bible. Yet, Nathan carries his own guilt that could be considered a catalyst for the events of the story. Orleanna crafts the tale of Nathan’s place in World War Two and the effects of surviving when others did not.The horrors from the war “curl [Nathan’s] heart like a piece of hard shoe leather” (Kingsolver 196). The war alters Nathan to the point where he is considered “ a tyrant before men”(Kingsolver 198). Nathan is so changed that he believes that he does not deserve any of the blessing of God. Nathan feels the guilt of being unworthy to such a fate. This is guilt is different from his families members. His survival from the