Barbara Kingsolver's writing in The Poisonwood Bible is more than mere historical fiction. It is true that Poisonwood is set in a past time, but the work's themes of difference in society, adaptation and change, and levels of apathy transcend chronological boundaries; making the novel a true piece of literature. ... ...
... 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...
