The Judges & Bel & the Serpant Reading Log

The Genesis of the Poison wood Bible begins by introducing Orleanna prince and her family which consist of Adah, Leah, Nathan, Ruth. The family would travel to the Region of Congo to work in the missionary of Nathans. Upon the family arrival to the Congo they are introduce by Mrs. Underdown, which would be there guide to the Congo area. The family would now have to life with the very different norm of the region. In there visit the oldest child Rachel, is very dis-approved towards the Congo lifestyle and displace ignorance. Her other sister Leah chooses to accept to Congo solely due to her father. Adah is the disable sister who is very smart and creative. Ruth is youngest sister at 5 year olds, she is most dependent on her family especially her mother. Not all of the family is very accepting of the culture they know live in.

The Revelation of the Poison-wood Bible, now takes place in the Family becoming more adjustable and accepting to the Congo culture. The family observes and participates with the village people. They now begin to mold themselves with there environment rather then ignoring it. The family now falls in the daily routine of the Congo people, we now see progress in the characters such Leah, Ruth, Orleanna, and may. The father tries to introduce the idea of Christianity and American norms in to the Congolese lives, but there are very vague to the idea of following the beliefs of Christianity as they strongly follow the traditional beliefs.

Allusions:

1. “We come from Bethlehem, Georgia, bearing Betty Crocker cake mixes into the Jungle” She mentions Belthlehem to state her journey to the Congo. A biblical reference to when Jesus Christ left to start his mission. Gives the reader the feeling of when they once left place of comfort
2. They were such weird songs it took me a while to realize they followed the tunes of Christian hymns “onward Christian Soldiers” and “What a Friend i have in Jesus” which made my skin crawl. This allusion illustrates Rachel ignorance. It gives the reader the the visual of Rachel not a having an establish belief.
3. Garden of Eden, she mentions this allusion of the snake as statement towards sin. she want to show how she is proud of god creation. The reader might feel the sense of the importance to be obedient.
4. Daniel and the Lion’s Den, Kingsolver mentions the allusion Adah as they go through the forest, when adah is spare by the lion and feels as she is not deserving to be forgiving by god of her sins. This gives the reader the feel if you put your trust into god then you’ll be spare.
5. Genesis, is the first book in the bible, Barbara includes to be the title to the prince family journey to the Congo. Nathan goal is to spread Christianity. Give the reader the feel of god as the reason for all of our existence.
6. The revelation, the Biblical meaning of god being the all powerful. Barbara includes this to show how Nathan is the powerful one in the household. This gives the reader the impression of higher authority holding the most power.

When first reading the book i was introduce to many Biblical mentions such as the genesis and the revelation, note i know this the first two sections of the book. I would say do not so follow the bible so reading some of the Biblical mentions gives me reference to the bible. Adah who is the disable member of the family does not allow her condition to hinder her potential. Although i myself am not disable, i can relate to her message of not allowing an obstacle stopping her.

Questions:

Will the Congolese fully accept to the idea of Christianity?

Is it right for Nathan wanting to convert the Congolese into Christianity?

Who is Nathan really the strong one in the family or is it Orlenna the stronger member?