... with the Congolese. By the end of the novel, she was assimilated into the African culture and practically became one of the people. Of all of the characters in "The Poisonwood Bible," Leah changed the most because of her stay in the Congo. As the time she spends in the Congo increases, Leah's faith in the Lord decreases. Through experiencing horrible things ... ...
... only a captive witness. What is the conqueror's wife, if not a conquest herself?" (Kingsolver 9) This quote appears in Orleanna's opening narrative and immediately introduces us to the dominant them in The Poisonwood Bible: the attempt to grapple with guilt. Orleanna's guilt is twofold. A paralyzing guilt causes her to feel responsible in the death of her youngest daughter, and also the guilt she suffers ... herself overwhelmed by guilt, asking you and Ruth Mae to understand the times in which she lived and begging for forgiveness. Readers should not use today's standards to judge The P...
