Poisonwood Bible - Nathans Function Nathan Price’s function in The Poisonwood Bible is not only to present the situation of being in the Congo to his family but also to show what happens when a foreign policy, such as religion, is introduced
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Nathan makes it fully clear that he is going to bring Christianity to the Congo if it is the last thing we do. He is extremely determine to make this happen and honestly does not stop until he gets it. For example, when his death comes, we still see him preaching. (p.482) The kind of ignorance and desire to get whatever it is that he wants is very much alike the United States expansion desires. History has shown that when the U.S wants something, they take it. This concept is present in the book too. We see people coming and taking diamonds, Axelroot, and trying to overrun local authority in order to gain control. Nathans action directly corresponds with this kind of ideas. Nathan has really no remorse or cares for what people have to say. Even after being outvoted by the Congolese people, he sticks around and still does whatever it is he can to convert people. (p. 332) This idea of westernization is one of Nathan’s most important functions. The author portrays him in a way that shows how desperate people can get in order to get what they want. His arrogance shows him to be a religious freak that will stop at nothing to get everyone to worship God. This type of arrogance is again seen when the U.S. decides to assassinate Lumumba. His arrogance ultimately leads to his death. Like the U.S., he never will prove that he has done wrong and he stayed this stubborn until his …show more content…
It can be sad that Nathan is a very sexist character. He expects himself to go out and get things done why the women stay home to cook and clean. Nathan’s sexism really sticks out when he tries to get Leah to stay behind from the hunt. (p.348) It can be argued that Nathan didn’t want her to participate because she was his daughter but then again, when do we ever see this kind of care from him? He doesn’t think Leah should be in a place like that. We also see Nathan’s sexist mind spill out when he gets sexual urges towards Orleanna after returning from the war. He blames her for them wanting to have sex like a married couple does. These instances of sexism are key to the book. The time frame defiantly had a more biased mind; men were always seen to be better than women. Nathan’s actions in the novel help develop the concept because he has many instances that show his bias. The significance of this doesn’t really impact Nathan’s character as much as it impacts his family. We really see a struggle between what the society norm was at the time. We see Orleanna afraid to speak up and protect her family because it wasn’t a women’s place. His abusive behavior towards his family is based on the idea that he feels superior and doesn’t want to be proven
Nathan makes it fully clear that he is going to bring Christianity to the Congo if it is the last thing we do. He is extremely determine to make this happen and honestly does not stop until he gets it. For example, when his death comes, we still see him preaching. (p.482) The kind of ignorance and desire to get whatever it is that he wants is very much alike the United States expansion desires. History has shown that when the U.S wants something, they take it. This concept is present in the book too. We see people coming and taking diamonds, Axelroot, and trying to overrun local authority in order to gain control. Nathans action directly corresponds with this kind of ideas. Nathan has really no remorse or cares for what people have to say. Even after being outvoted by the Congolese people, he sticks around and still does whatever it is he can to convert people. (p. 332) This idea of westernization is one of Nathan’s most important functions. The author portrays him in a way that shows how desperate people can get in order to get what they want. His arrogance shows him to be a religious freak that will stop at nothing to get everyone to worship God. This type of arrogance is again seen when the U.S. decides to assassinate Lumumba. His arrogance ultimately leads to his death. Like the U.S., he never will prove that he has done wrong and he stayed this stubborn until his …show more content…
It can be sad that Nathan is a very sexist character. He expects himself to go out and get things done why the women stay home to cook and clean. Nathan’s sexism really sticks out when he tries to get Leah to stay behind from the hunt. (p.348) It can be argued that Nathan didn’t want her to participate because she was his daughter but then again, when do we ever see this kind of care from him? He doesn’t think Leah should be in a place like that. We also see Nathan’s sexist mind spill out when he gets sexual urges towards Orleanna after returning from the war. He blames her for them wanting to have sex like a married couple does. These instances of sexism are key to the book. The time frame defiantly had a more biased mind; men were always seen to be better than women. Nathan’s actions in the novel help develop the concept because he has many instances that show his bias. The significance of this doesn’t really impact Nathan’s character as much as it impacts his family. We really see a struggle between what the society norm was at the time. We see Orleanna afraid to speak up and protect her family because it wasn’t a women’s place. His abusive behavior towards his family is based on the idea that he feels superior and doesn’t want to be proven