Courtney Amick Five Voices

The way that Barbara Kingsolver chose to narrate The Poisonwood Bible helps to
enhance its meaning. By providing the story from the point of view of each of the girls, it
portrays the story in multiple lights and highlights each individual girls change.
The story of Nathan Price is given multiple layers by hearing about him from all of the
girls. If the story were only told from Leahs point of view, for example, Nathan would be
presented as misunderstood and firm but fair. She describes him as tall as Goliath and pure of
heart as David (Kingsolver 40). In contrast, if the story was told only from Adahs point of view,
he would be seen as a monster. She says she imagined getting the kerosene and burning him
up in his bed (Kingsolver 496). The multiple points of view allow the author to reveal why
Nathan is the way he is as well as the multiple ways his wife and girls perceive him.
The depiction of the Congo also varies based on who is telling the story. If only Rachel
were telling it, it would be seen as literal Hell on Earth. The first night they are there the tears
ran down (Kingsolver 29). However, if it were told only from Ruth Mays point of view, it would
be seen as a place of adventure and friendly people. She takes adventures such as spying on
the African Communist Boy Scouts (Kingsolver 116). She also plays games with the children
such as Mother May I. By each girl describing Kilanga in her own way, its many sides are
revealed. Though it may be scary at times, it is also wild and beautiful.
The multiple points of view allow the growth of each individual girl to be exemplified.
Some of them change in different ways, whether it be in their faith or in other ways. Adah
struggles with religion right from the beginning, but her transformation occurs physically when
Comment [01]: Change in what way? How did
they change?
Comment [02]: Change to: Barbara Kingsolvers
provision of multiple points of view in The
Poisonwood Bible helps to enhance the meaning of
the novel. It portrays the story in multiple lights and
highlights each individual girls change, whether it
be mental or physical.
Comment [03]: Each girls opinion of him.
Comment [04]: Needs to be were because it is
subjunctive.
Comment [05]: Need to state how he is
because it makes a stronger argument.
Comment [06]: What is it? Too vague.
Comment [07]: Need a better word
she develops the ability to walk without a limp. Leah loses her faith in the Lord in all of the
hardships she faces, yet transforms in that her heart becomes rooted in the African soil with
Anatole. Lastly, Orleanna breaks free of the oppressive chains her marriage bonded her in and
is free to blossom with her flowers she now cultivates. Without each girl, and in the end
woman, sharing her story, their individual transformations would not be highlighted.
In addition, the points of view also show a lack of change in some characters. Rachel
unfortunately does not change, yet her story does allow a view into how she lives out her life at
the Equitorial. She is the same conceited person she was to begin with, and hearing her story
straight from her exemplifies this. Ruth May also remained unchanged all the way until her
untimely death. She was fiercely loyal to Jesus and a picture of innocence.
The multiple points of view allow for aspects of the story, such as perceptions of people
and places, to be seen in different lights. In addition, change or lack thereof can be seen in each
girl by hearing their thoughts and opinions. Each girl drives the story forward in her own way,
whether it be through simply surviving or learning to discover herself and truly live.
Comment [08]: *of her marriage
Comment [09]: Need a stronger word such as
exemplifies