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Ryan Clark
A.P. English Literature and Composition
8-23-2015
The Red Wheelbarrow by William Carlos Williams
This brief poem is packed with symbolism that Kingsolver uses to characterize her
characters. For instance, the red wheel barrow could obviously be a symbol for Nathan, with his
fiery red hair, and passionate personality, standing out amongst the white chickens (the villagers
of Kilanga. But, additionally, a wheel barrows job is to bear a burden. This trait is relevant
especially to Orleanna, she bears the burden of protecting and supporting her family in a
situation that she has never faced. This truly adds depth to the development of her character in
the context this allusion is used in, because Orleanna has just realized that she may be stuck in
the Congo indefinitely, a monstrous burden considering the growing and changing needs of her
children and husband.
This poem also characterizes Nathans relationship to the villagers of Kilanga. The image
of rain water glazing the wheel barrow connotes the waters of baptism. This gives resonance to
the idea that Nathan is bearing the burden of sharing baptism with the villagers. This poem also
subtly reflects his fatal flaw in trying to do so. The poem states that the wheelbarrow stands
beside the chickens. This simple preposition implies equality, rather than Nathans perceived
superiority of himself over the villagers. This relationship does not bring Nathan closer to what
he wants, and this is reflected through this poems careful choice of words.
Hope is the thing with Feathers by Emily Dickinson
This poem also contains symbolism which adds to the development of plot and characters
in The Poisonwood Bible. Dickinson characterizes hope as delicate and precious; this is

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embodied by Orleannas china plate and even Rachels mirror. The storm that Dickinson writes
of runs parallel to the violent breaking of both Orleannas dish and of Rachels mirror. Although
the objects that Orleanna and Rachel manifested their hopes in are gone, they still find ways to
adopt different hopes and adapt to change, just as Dickinson describes the immortality of hope.
The inclusion of this poem cements this theme into Kingsolvers novel.
Given its context in the book, this poem also foreshadows the Congos independence and
revolution. The imagery of feathers is easily associated with the image of Methuselah the parrot,
who Adah characterizes as free and independent, and by a short stretch, the independence of the
Congo itself. Just as in Dickinsons poem, Methuselah, the thing with feathers, is destroyed.
Adah narrates and comments about this very ominously, setting a tone of presentiment. This adds
even more tragedy to the now inevitable rise and fall of the Congos thing with feathers: Patrice
Lumumba. These events in the book, paired with Dickinsons poem characterize hope as weak
and vulnerable, which helps the reader understand the varying states of emotional stability that
the characters experience later in the book. Rachel, who has locked her hope in a far off drawer,
ends up being the most content and visibly satisfied with her life; whereas Leah, who wears her
hope for a better world on her sleeve, is constantly conflicted and fighting moral battles with
herself. This poem adds depth to the theme of the universal qualities of hope.
A toad, can die of light by Emily Dickinson
This poem primarily highlights the theme of equality in Kingsolvers book. The poems
message of living in the now because all beings are equal can most directly be compared to
Nathan and his relationship to the villagers. The villagers embrace the philosophy of equality and
benefit from the many fruits of life that they share with each other, whereas Nathan refuses to
stoop to the villagers (or his familys) level to even ask for help when he direly needs it. He does

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not realize that he is a mere toad in the Congolese jungle (which the poem helps to characterize
as the will, and the eyes of God) among all of the toad-like villagers.
This poem also speaks to the themes of knowledge and enlightenment. This shows the
irony of Nathans efforts, he is trying to enlighten the villagers, whereas any attempts of anyone
else to broaden Nathans point of view, is perceived by him as a threat. Nathan is the toad that
can die of light, any attempt at enlightening him degrades his power and influence. Overall, this
poem adds to the futility of Nathans work, it illustrates that his best efforts drag him farther into
the jungle, away from his high perch.