Poisonwood Bible Essay #1

In the novel "The Poisonwood Bible", Orleanna takes on a roll as a religious figure, wife, and loving mother. Though she does have her faults you see exactly how she grows as a women and mother within, finding herself again and figuring out that she does really have an opinion and a voice. Orleanna was always supportive of her husband being a Christian pastor and his wishes to expand the religion and save souls. He decides to go to Congo in South Africa to spread the word of god bringing his family along.

Not to far into the move, the family has trouble adapting to the new environment. As a unit now alienated from normal society they all must learn how to function as a family. Orleanna at this time has a mouth full to say but because her husband disregards her opinion, she just keeps quiet. Later on, her husband has this idea in his head that baptizing the Natives in the area will save souls. The Natives deny Nathan's idea as a result of the girl, whom was eaten by an alligator once before. Orleanna is frustrated with the idea and tells her husband to not be so vigorous against the Natives wishes to not be baptized. Though Nathan is becoming hard headed about the matter, Orleannas tension with not only her husband but the area, builds.

As time goes on, word gets out that Belgium intends to give the country their independence. Purges are said to be coming and cause a riot and destruction over the villages. Everyone goes into a panic for their own safety and an evacuation plane is placed for loading to take people out of the country. Rushing to get herself and her family on board, Orleanna is forbidden by her husband to get on the plane. She sits in her room for several weeks after this panic depressed leaving the family to fend for themselves. She reaches a point where she decides to get herself together and is transformed into brand new women. She begins to voice her voice in every situation that takes place from the death of her daughter Ruth May, to the "mysterious" snakes being left in homes to anyone who has relations with the family. Puzzling and both tragic, Orleanna puts a stop to it and makes an effort to take matters into her own hands. She decides to try to bribe a pilot to take her and her daughter home but he refuses. She then returns to her idea before making the attempt to smuggle her daughter’s out of Kilanga area to a safe zone and to get home. This was a big decision for her to make but it had to be done. 

Alienation was hard for Orleanna but it made her a stronger and fierce as a women. But in the end Orleanna goes on to live a life of guilt and weakness blaming herself for the events that occurred in her family. She begs for the forgiveness of her dead daughter, Ruth May. Narrated by the dead Ruth May, Orleanna is forgiven for her faults. In my opinion this story has an overall tone of how one can lose faith in all meaning of god and religion. It shows you how to conquer it. Orleanna and her family experienced what its like to have faith. And all in all you will be challenged trial by trial to see how strong your faith is.