The Poisonwood Bible Book 5, Chapter 8 Quotes

The Poisonwood Bible Book 5, Chapter 8 Quotes

How we cite the quotes:
(Book.Chapter.Paragraph)

Leah Price

Quote 1

I've heard foreign visitors complain that the Congolese are greedy, naive, and inefficient. They have no idea. The Congolese are skilled at survival and perceptive beyond belief or else dead at an early age. (5.8.42)

The "foreign visitors" Leah mentions are likely other white people who are unaccustomed to the ways of life in the Congo. The Congolese aren't trying to take advantage of other people; they're merely trying to survive.

Leah Price

Quote 2

How can this be, a castle with spires and a moat? Why doesn't the world just open its jaws like a whale and swallow this brazenness in one gulp? (5.8.8)

Er … has it ever? Mobutu's crimes against the people of Congo are reprehensible. He's the 1% with 99% of the people's money—but the people are so oppressed that they can't even imagine revolting.