Essay #1

"Exile" is a word that is commonly used to express the forceful human experience of seclusion and abandonment. This word has been given a negative connotation due to feelings that sometimes involve racist actions, lonely living, and sadness. Living in exile and being told to relocate is scary. It often leaves the individual overpowered with despair, wishing and hoping that one day they will be able to return back home. The Poisonwood Bible contains more than this single-minded approach when referring to the cut off from home. This novel contains five view points of five different women that experience "continental drift" when moving from white society to the African society of the Congo. Each of the women tell their story and showcase the different reactions to the Congo that are both alienating and enriching. Nathan, the father of the family of six is portrayed through all of the women to be evil in his intentions. He represents alienation along with his daughter Rachel, while Leah and Adah represent enrichment.

Furthermore, repulsion and an unwillingness to adapt is one viewpoint involving exile. Nathan and Rachel both display different aspects of alienation, but can still be categorized together. Nathan is first viewed as a minister to the Congo who is sincerely attempting to revive Jesus into the heart of natives. This persona quickly fades as his true personality is revealed. Nathan Price has the attitude of his way or no way, which is first shown in his attempts at baptism. He disregards the obvious fears of the people concerning the river and claims that he needs to save the village. Later in the novel it is revealed that a week before the Price family arrived a girl was killed by a crocodile in the river. The minister continues to press for a baptism and is angered by it. He aggressively demands to break the culture of the Congolese, which is ironic and unsettling due to his title in the church. This viewpoint displays a cultural lesson and the respect that is needed towards others who think and believe differently. Nathan tramples on these lessons and can be viewed to symbolize racism, which refuses a respect to those who are a different race and background. Rachel has a similar view, but yet separate. Rachel is disgusted while living in the Congo and resents her separation from her perfect life. She remarks all the "flaws" in the African culture and continues to only think of herself as the best. This view is most strongly presented in the rampage of the ants and her thoughts only involve herself. She resembles a diverse view point and one of the few viewpoints that constantly judges the Congolese, which provides a significant contrast to enrichment when discussing exile.

In contrast, another view includes enrichment and growth in a new society. Two of the children, Leah and Adah, have a positive outlook on their experience in the Congo. Leah continues to be optimistic about the sincerity of Jesus and the good that can be done through her family's work. She is uneasy in her new situation, but continues to view only the positive aspects of the village. Through Leah a dynamic novel is established that contrasts her character to Nathan. They serve as foils and help to better develop the plot and provide different points of view. Similarly to Leah, Adah is also benefiting from her experience. Adah relates and is reborn in the Congolese culture. In a society marked with handicapped women, Adah feels for the first time that she is in insider. It is shown at the end of the book that she only developed her limp from a habit. This symbolizes the harm that one can feel when in their own society and the relief that is experienced when relocated to a place in which growth is inspired. All points providing evidence that exile can provide enrichment.

In The Poisonwood Bible, family members directly contrast to each other to provide a robust and varied perspective. This viewpoint adds to the theme stating that even though 100 people can live through the same event, there are 100 different ways to look at the event. When involving "exile" which most commonly has a negative connotation, there can also be relief and growth in a new environment. The work as an entirety is reliant on two contrasting view points, proving that there are many ways to tell a story and not any view is necessarily the "correct" one.