The Poisonwood Bible Book 3, Chapter 5 Quotes
The Poisonwood Bible Book 3, Chapter 5 Quotes
How we cite the quotes:
(Book.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote 1
Congolese men didn't treat their own wives and daughters as if they were very sensible or important. Though as far as I could see the wives and daughters did just about all the work. (3.5.53)
Sounds a lot like the Price household to us. With so much in common with the Congolese men, we're surprised Nathan doesn't get along with them better.
Quote 2
I used to threaten Ruth May's life so carelessly just to make her behave. Now I had to face the possibility that we really could lose her. (3.5.130)
Talk about a culture gap. We doubt the Congolese would threaten a child's life to make her behave, because death comes so easily there. Leah, who grew up where a child's death is the exception, doesn't have a problem with it... until Ruth May is on death's door with malaria.
Quote 3
You wouldn't even get as far as breakfast before running out of paper. You'd have to explain the words, and then the words for the words. (3.5.130)
Leah talks about the impossibility of explaining Africa in a letter home. Hey, Barbara Kingsolver had to write an almost-600-page book about the Congo, and she's just scratched the surface! There's a lot more to communication than just translating the words.