The Poisonwood bible Blog 4

The Eyes in the Tree

The Eyes in the Tree of the Poison wood bible is the shortest book of the story. The book is based on Ruth May perspective even after her death from the snake bite. The book speaks on Orleanna Price and her daughter saying goodbye to there beloved Ruth May. The perspective of the book is also told in the scene of the million of dead kids in Africa, like Ruth they are the eyes of the tree. The Muntu speak on the people who have invade and enslave the african people they speak on the struggles and changes they had to endure. This section of the book essentially has no plot that relates to the rest of the novel. Ruth May speaks to her mother in vein convincing her to forgive herself for what has happen.

Allusion

1. Muntu: “There is no special difference between living people, dead people, children not yet born, and gods—these are all Muntu”. Barbara uses the allusion to say that Ruth may no longer exist but she exist in the vein of the Congo. This can make the reader feel as they children of the Congo are the “eyes” of tree
2. The Okapi is the final object that Orleanna obtain from the Congo. Barbara includes the allusion to describe Orleanna jorney through the Congo on what she has lost and what she has gain. The reader can learn of what there is to come for Orleanna new life and what she has learn from her mistakes .
3. River is reference to the flow of time. Ruth may is mention in the allusion as she telling her mother to move on. Barbara included the allusion to state that Ruth may want her mother to move on. To the reader this can make them feel the relief that the mother had in the end of the book
4. Mobutu is a reference to the political powers of the Congo. Barbara mentions this to say that now the Mobutu is gone then the Congo can be a more prosperous place. This make the reader feel more at rest at the plot of the book as the political powers of the Congo have settle
5. The serpent is mention to be Ruth may. Barbara refers Ruth to be a snake as she mention herself to be the narrator of the The Eyes of the tree book. The reader understands that even in death she still has a voice.
6. The holy Ghost is mention by Kingsilver to represent Ruth may as the eyes in the woods. Barbara uses the allusion to show Ruth innocent outlook on life. The reader might feel some sadness of why an innocent girl like Ruth had to die in vein.

Personal Response

In finishing the book i have realize reading a book like the Poison-Wood Bible has open my outlook of actually continuing to read entertaining and interesting books. I myself have not truly read the bible but in reading this novel all the biblical allusions has given me the insight of what the bible contains. In my honest truth, reading this came to be a challenge as the narration and references had me lost in some points

Questions

1. Why does Ruth may have a voice in the end of the book and not Nathan too
2. why does this book not contain a plot that relates to the rest of the book
3. what would the theme of the novel.