The Poisonwood Bible
Barbara Kingsolver
Genesis: The Things We Carried
Vocabulary and Allusions
Vocabulary
1. Antithetical (p. 74) – In contrast or opposition of a given idea, opposite.
2. Contingency (p. 14) – A possible event or chance.
3. Crinolines (p. 44) – A rough, stiff linen used to line garments
4. Desultory (p. 59) – Aimless, disconnected. Without reason.
5. Disconsolate (p. 75) – Dejected, unable to be comforted.
6. Gallimaufry (p. 34) – A hodgepodge or jumble of various objects or people.
7. Gouter (p. 53) –Painful, bulbous swelling.
8. Hyssop (p. 56) – Fragrant, blue flowered plant closely related to mint.
9. Latent (p. 61) – Hidden or undeveloped.
10. Palpitated (p. 67) – To throb, beat rapidly.
11. Parsonage (p. 56) – A minister’s dwelling, provided by a Church or missionary service.
12. Progeny (p. 8) – Posterity, offspring.
13. Putative (p. 74) – Reputed, assumed to be as such.
14. Semaphore (p. 74) – An object, such as a flag, designed for signaling or sending a
message over long distances.
15. Strop (p. 54) – leather band used to sharpen razors.
Allusions
1.
2.
Blue Bell jeans (p.43) – Founded in 1904 by C.C. Hudson, the Blue Bell Jeans Company pioneered the
blue jean business in America. Designed to fit comfortably and provide an adequate outfit for the working
man, Blue Bell Jeans became synonymous with work wear, particularly after their famous Wrangler Jeans
emerged, designed for cowboys and destined for the legs of the American people. The VF Corporation
merged with Blue Bell in 1986 and took over production of Wrangler Jeans. (“Wrangler (jeans).”
Wikipedia)
Connection to the novel:
“Ruth May is the type to wear rolled-up Blue Bell jeans to her own funeral” Rachel references this casual
clothing company in order to convey Ruth May’s careless attitude toward her appearance no matter the
occasion.
Capri pants (p. 43) – Invented in 1948 by designer Sonja de Lennart, Capri pants rose to widespread
popularity in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Capri pants cut off at the calves to accent the lower leg, and are designed
for women. (“About Capri Pants.” eHow)
Connection to the novel:
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
“When Mother steps foot out of the house in her black Capri pants, why, they all just gawk and
stare.”Kingsolver uses the image of calf-length women’s trousers to show how taboo showing legs are to
the Congolese, and how foreign the Price family (and its American heritage) is to Africa.
Hercules (p. 44)- Often considered the greatest hero of Ancient Greece, Hercules was the ridiculously
strong, extremely volatile son of Zeus and Alcmena, the wife of a Greek general. Repeatedly dodging
Hera’s attempts to kill him, as the hero was proof of Zeus’s infidelity, Hercules successfully killed the
Nemean lion, accompanied Jason on the Quest for the Golden Fleece, and completed many far more
dangerous tasks. Pursued by the hatred of a goddess and guilt for having slain his family in a fit of rage,
however, Hercules built his own funeral pyre and sent his own soul to heaven to escape the anguish of the
world. (Hamilton, 166-79)
Connection to the novel:
“Or they’ll wear a bolt of it draped over one shoulder in the style of Hercules.” The image of the ancient
Greek hero creates a noble picture of pre-colonization dress, a heroic style in a clutter of trees, dirt and
parasites.
Sodom and Gomorrah (p. 44) – Biblical cities featured in Genesis, Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed
by God’s wrath as a result of the sins of their inhabitants. Angels removed Lot, the one righteous inhabitant
of the cities, and his family before the cities fell to fire and brimstone, though Lot’s wife looked back upon
the city and became a pillar of salt.
In modern usage, sodomy refers to corruption, sexual or otherwise. The names of the cities themselves are
now virtually synonymous to places of vice and squalor hidden from the view of righteousness. (“Sodom
and Gomorrah.” Wikipedia)
Connection to the novel:
“You could still see the black char and stains on the floor fro the fire they made on our first night here, for
the welcome feast. It was an unpleasant reminder of Sodom, Gomorrah, and so forth.” Rachel’s reference
to these biblical cities draws upon the events of the Price’s arrival in Congo. They found the tribe as
uncivilized and ignorant of their “sins” as they might imagine the inhabitants of Sodom or Gomorrah to be.
Indeed, Reverend Price may seem himself as a vessel of the Lord sent to convert this African Sodom, the
one righteous man among sinners.
Santa Claus (p. 47) – Santa Claus, a modern descendant of the Greek St. Nicholas, reputedly travels the
world on Christmas Eve on a sled pulled by flying reindeer. Clad in red and white and provided with toys
by apparently voluntary elf labor, this jolly man spreads holiday cheer and, thus, gifts wherever he goes.
Connection to the novel:
“They seem to think we are Santa Claus, the way the children come around begging us for food and things
every single day−and us as poor as church mice!” Rachel’s observation about the begging of the Congolese
children reveals a radical difference in the African world – no matter their life in the U.S., the Price family
finds itself assumed to be at the top of the town’s wealth hierarchy, as the givers rather than the receivers,
because of the family’s race. Because Belgium has limited the growth of the native people in society, the
only source of wealth seems to the Africans to come from the white rulers rather than the land they have
imposed their rule upon.
Breck Special Formulated (p. 47) – Formed in 1930, Breck Shampoo was an American line of hair care
products originally marketed for the “ordinary woman.” (“Breck Shampoo.” Wikipedia)
Connection to the novel:
“It [Rachel’s hair] is so fine I have to use Breck Special Formulated and don’t care to think what I’ll do
when my one bottle that Father allowed runs out.” This reference to the specialized shampoo reveals how
much the girls continue to depend upon the luxuries of American life and how little they have adapted to
getting by on African terms and means.
Dorothy Lamour (p. 48) – A New Orleans native who dreamt of singing professionally, Dorothy Lamour
nevertheless achieved her fame as an exotic, sarong clad actress known for portraying Tarzan-like female
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
roles. Her work in Hollywood during the 30s and 40s made her a household name during and after the
wartime era. (“Biography for Dorothy Lamour” Internet Movie Database)
Connection to the novel:
“Gaudy orange flowers so large that if you tried to put one behind your ear like Dorothy Lamour” By
recalling an epitome of beauty and grace, Rachel points out the awkwardness of attempting some sort of
exotic beauty in the Congo. In doing so, however, she further illustrates how unaccustomed foreigners are
to the African concept of beauty.
Melmac soup bowl (p. 48) – Melmac dishware, characterized by their bright colors and durable structure,
graced American kitchens in frightening numbers during the 50s and 60s. They were named after the
virtually unbreakable plastic mixture used in their construction and have fallen out of popular use to
become trademarks of a pastel colored, domestic past. (“Melmac.” Everything 2)
Connection to the novel:
“You’d look like you were wearing a Melmac soup bowl” This reference serves to illustrate the
cumbersome and slightly tacky appearance of Congolese to Western Eyes.
River Jordan (p. 48) – An integral part of Biblical geography, the River Jordan connects the Sea of Galilee
to the Dead Sea and forms the border of Canaan. It irrigates “the promised land” and is referenced
throughout the Bible. (“The Jordan River.” The Church of God Daily Bible Study)
Connection to the novel:
“The River Kwilu is not like the River Jordan” Contrasting the squalor of the Congo to the “promised land”
Reverend Price seems to think he is marching into, Rachel points out how inhospitable the Congo actually
is.
Milk and Honey (p. 48) – The term “a land of milk and honey” refers to Palestine, which God promised to
Abraham and his descendents. The phrase means Palestine will prove fertile, and will allow its residents to
prosper economically. (“A Land of Milk and Honey.” Grace Cathedral: Brush Up Your Bible)
Connection to the novel:
“No milk and honey on the other side, either, but just more stinking jungle lying low in haze.” By drawing
upon the Biblical image of paradise, Rachel emphasizes how far the Congo is from any sort of Western
paradise. Also, by mentioning a land of plenty she shows how much the Congolese (and the Prices) must
work to eke out a living among the unforgiving forest.
“For they know not what they do” (p. 51) – Jesus, upon being crucified, utters these words as a plea to
the Lord, asking him to forgive the human race for their actions as they are committed in ignorance.
(“Forgive them for they know not what they do.” The Phrase Finder)
Connection to the novel:
“One of those little children stole, which is a bad sin. Father says to forgive them for they know not what
they do.” The Reverend’s advice to Ruth May represents not only his attempt to wean her from material
wants but also his tendency to assume that his values are superior those of the Africans and that they live
without the knowledge for salvation.
Saint Matthew (p. 51) – The Patron Saint of bankers and one of the apostles, Saint Matthew wrote the first
Gospel. He traveled far, spreading the news of Jesus’ arrival, but longed for his native Palestine and wrote
the Gospel not only to exult the Lord but also to pay tribute to his home.
Connection to the novel:
“My monkey-sock monkey was named Saint Matthew.” Just as the Gospel served St. Matthew’s
connection to Palestine during his journeys, Ruth May’s sock monkey reminded her of her own home,
making it a precious commemoration of earlier, better days.
Tater Tots (p. 51) – Created by Ore-Ida in 1953, these hash brown nuggets quickly became popular in
American kitchens for their simple preparation. (“Tater Tots.” Wikipedia)
Connection to the novel:
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
“And the women are all Mama Something, even if they don’t have children. Like Mama Tataba, our
cooking lady. Rachel calls her Mama Tater Tots. But she won’t cook those. I wish she would.” Rachel’s
perversion of Tataba’s name sparks further longing in Ruth May for life back in Georgia.
Three Little Pigs (p. 51) – Written to underscore the importance of hard work and perseverance, this fairy
tale tells of, well, three little pigs. Two of the pigs, in order to finish their houses without much fuss, build
them out of straw and sticks. The third takes no shortcuts and constructs his house of brick. When a wolf
comes sniffing around for some bacon, he easily exposes and consumes the first two pigs with an
interestingly dramatic display of lung capacity. The wolf’s dragon breath, however, meets its match in the
brick walls of the third pig’s house, and the last pig remains safe and sound while the wolf slinks off
somewhere to catch his breath. (Previous knowledge)
Connection to the novel:
“The roofs burn up because they are all made out of sticks and hay like the Three Little Pigs. The wolf
could huff and puff and blow your house down.” Ruth May describes the ramshackle nature of the
Congolese huts, using a childish reference to a fairy tale to demonstrate how dangerous life is in the Congo.
Sears and Roebuck (p. 54) – Founded in 1893, the Sears and Roebuck corporation remained a successful
retailer throughout the twentieth century, supplying households with clothes, appliances and more. ( “When
was Sears founded?” Sears Archives)
Connection to the novel:
“He said, ‘Orleanna, the human body is a sight more precious than a pair of khaki trousers from Sears and
Roebuck. I’d expect you to comprehend the difference.’” Drawing upon the household name of a retail
chain, Reverend Price emphasizes the indifference he believes his wife to be treating human life with.
“It was neither diabolical nor divine…” (p. 55) – Taken from Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange
Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, this quote describes Dr. Jekyll’s view of his alter ego, Mr. Hyde, and the
disposition from which it occurs.
Connection to the novel:
“It was neither diabolical nor divine; it but shook the doors of the prison house of my disposition; and like
the captives of Philippi, that which stood within ran forth. So feel I. Living in the Congo shakes open the
prison house of my disposition and lets all the wicked hoodoo Adahs run forth.”This quote mirrors Adah’s
own nature, which consists of a keen mind that struggles to break free from a benign, even dull
countenance to think the unthinkable. Indeed, the foreign beauty of the Congo brings forth from Adah the
most poetic description of the Congo written by a Price, as she feels no end of gratitude toward the land
that has reduced her sisters to strangers in a strange land beside her own twisted figure.
The Book of Luke (p. 55) – Part of the New Testament, the Book of Luke chronicles the life of Jesus. It
stresses the benevolent and lawful nature of Christianity. (“The book of Luke.” Wikipedia)
Connection to the novel:
“FROM WHAT BOOK OF THE BIBLE?...Miss Rat-pup read the quote, nodding solemnly, and wrote
underneath, The book of Luke.” Leah’s misguided attempt to flaunt her biblical knowledge further spurs her
quest t become the Reverned’s favorite daughter and deepens Adah’s contempt for her sister.
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (p. 55) – Written by Robert Louis Stevenson in 1886, The
Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde tells of the battle between the reformed sinner Dr. Jekyll and his
dark, secretive alter ego, Mr. Hyde. Mr. Hyde turns dangerous as the battle escalates, and the struggle ends
with Dr. Jekyll committing suicide. (“The Pilgrim’s Progress” Wikipedia)
Connection to the novel:
“The quote is from The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, which I have read many times. I have a
strong sympathy for Dr. Jekyll’s dark desires and for Mr. Hyde’s crooked body.”
The Pilgrim’s Progress (p. 55) – An allegory written by the English writer John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s
Progress tells of a man’s journey from the Earth to Heaven. (“The Pilgrim’s Progress.” Wikipedia)
Connection to the novel:
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
“Before we fled Bethlehem’s drear libraries I had also recently read The Pilgrim’s Progress.” This widely
read allegory runs contrarily to the Price’s journey; rather than travelling to the city of heaven, the family
finds themselves in the depths of a jungle purgatory.
Paradise Lost (p. 55) – Chronicling the fall of Satan from Heaven and the expulsion of man from the
Garden of Eden, the epic poem Paradise Lost by John Milton forms one of the greatest religiously based
piece of literature in the English language. The poem, written to “justify the ways of God”, is both
extremely controversial and highly renowned for its use of centuries of scripture and lore. (“Paradise Lost”
Wikipedia)
Connection to the novel:
“Before we fled Bethlehem’s drear libraries I had also recently read…Paradise Lost” As Nathan Price
searches for the source of his bad luck in the Congo, Adah’s forbidden reading list suggests a possible fall
from grace.
Miss Emily Dickinson (p. 55) – A nineteenth century poet and recluse, Emily Dickinson’s concise styl
provides unbelievable insight into many aspects of human life. Born in Boston to a Calvinist family, Emily
proved to be clever, though nervous in public. Shge rejected her religious heritage, denouncing the theory
of predestined salvation, and retreated into seclusion to write poetry until her death in 1885. (“Short
Biography Emily Dickinson.” Biography Online)
Connection to the novel:
“Before we fled Bethlehem’s drear libraries I had also recently read…many other books Our Father does
not know about, including the poems of Miss Emily Dickinson.” The insightful and independent nature of
Dickinson’s poems diminishes Nathan Price’s control over Adah, as they display both the power of an
educated woman and the ease of a secular lifestyle.
Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque (p. 55)- This collection of 25 of Edgar Allen Poe’s works,
published in 1840, includes The Fall of the House of Usher, along with many other short horror stories.
(“Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque.” Wikipedia)
Connection to the novel:
“Before we fled Bethlehem’s drear libraries I had also recently read…many other books Our Father does
not know about, including…Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque by Edgar Allan Poe.
Mr. Poe and his telltale Raven (p. 55)- “The Raven”, a narrative poem by Baltimore native Edgar Allan
Poe, depicts a student mourning the loss of his love. A raven arrives at the scene and repeats “Nevermore”,
further illustrating the lover’s descent into insanity. (“The Raven.” Wikipedia)
Connection to the novel:
“I am fond of Mr. Poe and his telltale Raven.” Again, Adah’s taste in literature ignores the rules of her
strict Christian upbringing as it turns toward the macabre. The famous “Nevermore” of the raven, however,
may be seen as foreshadowing the loss of one of the characters in the Congo, as she will never step upon
the shores of Georgia again.
“Purge me with hyssop” and “strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round” and “thou hast put off
my sackcloth and girded me with gladness.”(p. 56) – These biblical verses, appearing in Psalm 51:7,
Psalm 22.12 and Psalm 30:11 respectively, depict pure exultation in the presence of the Lord and His works
Connection to the novel:
“Mother has a pagan’s appreciation for the Bible, being devoted to phrases such as “Purge me with
hyssop,” and “strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round,” and “thou hast put off my sackcloth and girded
me with gladness.” These joyous verses reveals Orleanna’s pure faith-as opposed to her husband’s rigid,
impersonal attempts to follow that which he assumes to be the will of the Lord – through her interpretation
of the Bible. A simplistic, faithful woman, Orleanna’s passion or instinct driven existence often clashes
with that of Nathan, who finds her both infuriating and ignorant, and sometimes even escalates into
violence.
Band Aid (p. 57) – The Band-Aid, invented in 1920 by Earle Dickson, originally consisted of tape
surrounding a piece of gauze sterilized by crinoline. Since then the production has been mechanized, and
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
the Band-Aid remains the trademark name for bandages meant for minor lacerations. (“History of the
Band-Aid.” About.com)
Connection to the novel:
“To them I am only Adah or, to my sisters sometimes, the drear monosyllabic Ade, lemonade, BandAid…” The reference to Band-Aids reoccurs throughout the Poisonwood Bible, as it represents the attempt
to heal a great wound with almost insignificant measures.
Hardy Boys (p. 59) – A pair of fictional amateur detective, brothers Frank and Joe first appeared in 1927.
Their exploits entertained readers through a handful of decades, a couple of ghostwriters and a few
reincarnations, all written under the pseudonym Franklin W. Dixon. (“The Hardy Boys.” Wikipedia)
Connection to the novel:
“Then say ye good-bye to sunshine or the Hardy Boys for an afternoon as you, poor sinner, must labor with
a pencil in your good left hand to copy out Jeremiah 48:18.” The copying of a Biblical verse as punishment
meant an afternoon spent without relaxation of any sort, so a chance for reading any sort of novel would be
in short order.
Apocrypha (p. 59) – Named for the Greek word for hidden, the Apocrypha consists of Scriptures deemed
false or unacceptable for inclusion in the Bible by Catholic authorities. Throughout the history of the
Protestant movement, many forms of the Apocrypha have been included in revised Bibles. However,
today’s standard King James Bible does not contain any part of the Apocrypha.
Connection to the novel:
“That is one pet project of the Reverend’s: getting other Baptists to swallow the Apocrypha.” Following the
pattern of his Protestant forefathers, Nathan further defies what he believes to be evil papist practices by
pushing the Apocrypha. Also, references to books of the Apocrypha reoccur throughout the novel.
Florence Nightingale (p. 60) – An English nurse renowned for he compassion, Florence Nightingale
served in the Crimean war, tending to wounded soldier in unclean conditions. By her insistence, however,
hospitals began to reform their facilities, ensuring less the disease and a cleaner workplace for nurses.
Nightingale’s work paved the way for modern nursing and defined the trend of medical cleanliness.
(“Flonrence Nightingale.” Encyclopedia of World Biography)
Connection to the novel:
“In the first place it is larger, with a wide front room and two bedrooms in back, one of which resembles a
hospital scene from Florence Nightingale’s time.” This historical reference creates an image of the house in
the midst of squalor and disease, even through desperate attempts at sterility, as the African Congo oozes
parasites and germs searching for a host.
The Virgin Mother (p. 61) – The Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus by immaculate conception, now embodies
stereotypical maternal values, piousness, and Christian morality. After receiving word of her holy
pregnancy from the Archangel Gabriel, she traveled to Bethlehem for a census, where she gave birth to
Jesus in a stable, surrounded by livestock and shepherds.
Connection to the novel:
“And in the midst of the rabble, serene as the Virgin Mother in her barnful of shepherds and scabby
livestock, one amazing, beautiful thing: a large, oval white platter painted with delicate blue forget-menots, bone china, so fine that sunlight passes through it.” The platter serves the Price family as a sort of
“golden calf in the wilderness of Sinai.” If Nathan Price did not drag the girls back to their mission with
various parables, they might even fall on their knees in reverence before this one beautiful item. Among the
dusty, cracked world of the Congo, the ugliness of the region emphasizes the platter’s beauty.
Goddess of the Hunt (p. 62) – Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt, represents the ideals pf purity and
feminine strength. The goddess of the moon and one of the three celestial virgins, Artemis protected her
followers fiercely but punished them just as fiercely for disobedience.
Connection to the novel:
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
“Leah went first as always, Goddess of the Hunt.” By portraying her sister as the independent, lively
Artemis, Adah further displays her resentment toward her twin, as Leah’s vitality resulted from an
imbalance of nutrients that also left Adah crippled.
Queen of Sheba (p. 62) – A female monarch of the vast biblical Kingdom of Sheba, the Queen of Sheba
traveled to Israel to seek the council of wise King Solomon. Depicted as strong, regal and filthy rich, the
Queen of Sheba continues to represent the ideal female ruler.
Connection to the novel:
“And then, Rachel, our family’s own Queen of Sheba, blinking her white eyelashes.” With her aloof, regal
and conceited manner, Rachel seems to think herself the Queen of Sheba, the ruling sister chosen for her
beauty and dignity. However, Adah uses this reference to further emphasize her sister’s vapid manner.
Quasimodo (p. 62) – The title character of Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Quasimodo lives
as the bell ringer of Paris’s Notre Dame Cathedral, plagued with severe deformities and an impossible love
for the Gypsy beauty Esmeralda. Despite his hideous appearance, the man remains kind-hearted and
establishes a firm friendship with Esmeralda. When Quasimodo’s caretaker murders the Gypsy, however,
Quasimodo kills the man before travelling to the mass grave where the Gypsy lies to die next to her.
Connection to the novel:
“Last of all came Adah the monster, Quasimodo, dragging her right side behind her left in her body’s
permanent stepsong sing” Among her siblings, Adah is a misshapen beast, lopsided and crippled like the
Hunchback. As was with Quasimodo, however, the true beauty lies within Adah’s unique mind. Also, as
the move o Africa has transformed all the Prices into oddities, the description Adah gives herself no longer
applies so much as her limp does not strike the villagers as any stranger than her fair complexion.
Lot’s poor wife who looked back at Gomorrah and got turned into a pillar of salt (p. 65) – As the
righteous Lot fled Sodom as it fell to God’s wrath, his wife turned back, shooting one last longing glance at
the place where she had lived in luxury for so long. Angered by this longing for earthly pleasures, God
turned her into a pillar of salt to show the results of questioning God’s will.
Connection to the novel:
“In the powerful humidity the powdered mix got transfigured like Lot’s poor wife who looked back at
Gomorrah and got turned into a pillar of salt.”
George Washington crossing the Delaware (p. 67) – Painted by Emanuel Leutze in 1851, this painting
depicts George Washington crossing the frigid Delaware River on his way to Trenton, NJ, to attack the
Hessian troops.
Connection to the novel:
“I think our mother is really just afraid we’re going to forget about normal things like George Washington
crossing the Delaware.” This heroic scene represents a landmark in American history, and firmly
establishes itself in the girl’s heritage, making its loss a damaging reaction to the move to the Congo.
Angel Dream (p. 68) – A cake mix.
Connection to the novel:
“But Angel Dream was the wrong thing” The same luxury that would have provided a stream of birthday
cheer in Georgia has transformed into a culinary nightmare as well as a grim reminder of Lot’s salty wife in
the Congo. Orleanna, bent on conquering the steamy air to produce cake for her child’s birthday, falls into
frustration over her failure.
Ashes to Ashes (p. 69) – Taken from the book of Common Prayer, this quote represents the cyclic path of
human life, as humans return to the dust from whence they came after death.
Connection to the novel:
“The money comes in an envelope on the plane, brought by Eeben Axelroot and to Eeben Axleroot it
mostly returned. Ashes to ashes.” Throughout the novel, most of the Price’s money and energy goes into
the production of the barest minimum in the Congo and often disappears to where it came from, just as
human remains return to the earth after death.
37. Susanna (p. 71) – Susanna, the heroine of the Book of Daniel, was a pious wife accused of adultery and
sentenced to death by stoning. However, Daniel’s interrogation of the accusers leads to the woman’s
acquittal and restored her reputation for fidelity.
Connection to the novel:
“This morning he was spinning the tale of Susanna” Again, Mr. Price underscores the power of faith by
telling of Susanna’s fall from grace and subsequent restoration in an attempt to prove to the Congolese that,
though they are the Tribes of Ham, can also achieve salvation.
38. Daniel (p. 71) – An Old Testament prophet, Daniel became famous in Babylon, the city of his captivity, for
interpreting dreams. An enraged king threw him into a lion’s pit, but God’s grace quieted the beasts and
allowed Daniel to emerge unscathed.
Connection to the novel:
“‘God stirred up the holy spirit of a man named Daniel!’” Relishing in the image of a man saved by God’s
mercy, Nathan not only attempts to convince the natives of God’s power but also to convince himself that,
if he follows God’s will, he will be forgiven for any crimes he believes he has committed.
39. “Amazing Grace” (p. 72) – Written to emphasize the forgiving nature of God by Englishman John
Newton, this Church hymn is widely popular throughout the various branches of Christianity. The song
states that, no matter the sins committed, salvation may be found in the arms of the Lord. (“Amazing
Grace.” Wikipedia)
Connection to the novel:
“We finished off Susannna by singing ‘Amazing Grace’ at the speed of a dirge.” Foolishly assuming that
the powerful words of a Western song will inspire faith in the Congolese, Nathan utilizes “Amazing Grace”
outline more benefits of Christianity in contrast with the unforgiving idol worship of the region. The
Reverend, however, only manages to create a musical clash of cultures that seems a harbinger of the funeral
of his mission of faith.
40. Tower of Babel (p. 72) – A Biblical structure famed for its many languages, as God’s wrath caused the
tongues of the inhabitants of Babel to twist into confusion.
Connection to the novel:
“We were a regular Tower of Babel here at the First Baptist Church of Kilanga, so no one noticed that I
mouthed my own words to the proper tune” Reverend Price’s church not only finds itself in the midst of
three clashing languages and cultures but also at the center of a plethora of misunderstandings that make
the coexistence of Africans and Caucasians that much more difficult. Even as Nathan tries to convince the
Congolese of the holiness of his mission, misunderstandings among the Prices alone strain familial ties and
tempers to breaking points.
41. Rahab (p. 73) – Originally a prostitute, Rahab assisted the Israelite invasion of Jericho in return for her life
in the massacre that resulted. Once the Israelites took control of the city she settled down into matrimony.
(“Rahab.” Wikipedia)
Connection to the novel:
“The sermon had meandered from the pious Susanna to Rahab, the harlot of Jericho.” This broad range of
biblical topics presents the scope of Reverend Price’s knowledge and also illustrates the amount of support
he finds in Scripture for his mission in the Congo.
42. Mercedes (p. 74) – A German car manufactured by the company that first mass-produced automobiles, the
Mercedes represented the peak of technology in the Congo at the time and prove one of the Belgian’s few
successes in taming the Congolese wilderness. (“Mercedes History.” Lapcr.com)
Connection to the novel:
“We listened vaguely to Our Father’s tale of the putative Mercedes truck.” The car, a marvel of modern
technology, runs in the Congo not by gasoline or by the power of mechanics, but rather the power of labor,
the greatest power in a land unsuited for machines or manufacturing.
43. Marco Polo’s spices from China (p. 74) –
Connection to the novel:
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
“Our only material goods from the outside world of late ware comic books, which my sisters cherished like
Marco Polo’s spices from China.” This allusion emphasizes how much the girls treasure the comic books,
as they serve not only as much needed entertainment but also as memories of a better world – much like the
spices of Asia proved tantalizing incentives for the European exploration and conquest of Asia during the
spice trade. (Previous Knowledge)
X-ray (p. 79) – Wilhem Conrad Rontgen discovered the first X-ray in 1895, but William Coolidge
produced the first X-ray tube, which provides the technological foundations for medical X-rays that today
provide detailed, accurate m]images of the skeletal system and allow doctors to diagnose patients troubled
by bone issues. (“X-Ray.” About.com)
Connection to the novel:
“He just plucked up another bean flower and held it up to the sky, examining it in the African light like a
doctor with an X-ray, looking for a secret thing gone wrong.” This image shows the consideration Nathan
Price puts into the punishment he believes God is dolling out to him, as he scrutinizes an African insect
built to pollinate African plants. The American plants which he has planted have not produced fruit on
foreign soil, and all the Reverend has to do is explore the spiritual implications of this calamity.
The Lennon Sisters on Lawrence Welk (p. 79) – The Lennon Sisters emerged in 1955 and, after their
debut on the Lawrence Welk show, became frequent visitors to the television and music scene. They
boasted widespread popularity while upholding a myriad of traditions and family values. (“Biography.” The
Lennon Sisters-America’s Sweethearts!)
Connection to the novel:
“With all four of us girls lined up at the window with our mouths gaping open, we must have looked like
the Lennon Sisters on Lawrence Welk.” By drawing upon a pop culture reference to four star-struck sisters
brought suddenly to fame, Kingsolver creates the image of the four children struck dumb at the sight of
Mama Tataba scolding the man they believed to be beyond reprimand– their father.
Potato Buds (p. 79) – Produced by Betty Crocker, Potato Buds are an instant potato mix that serve as the
starch-filled equivalent of powdered milk. (“Potato Buds.” Betty Crocker.com)
Connection to the novel:
“We did everything [Mother] said now. We’d recently seen her throw a box of Potato Buds across the
room.” As the demands of the Congo strain on Orleanna Price’s nerves, her children learn to tread softly
around her, as she takes sudden turns for the worse when the world piles too much weight upon her
shoulders and even precious souvenirs of a world left behind become projectiles.
Trojan War (p. 79) – Paris, a prince of Troy, began the Trojan War by choosing Aphrodite over the other
Goddesses, effectively pitting the Olympians against one another. By collecting his prize, Helen, who just
happened to already be married to Menelaus, king of Sparta, he provoked a conflict between the Greeks
and Trojans that would last decades, would leave Hector and Achilles dead, and would eventually lead to
the destruction of Troy and of the Trojan people. Today, the term “The Trojan War” may refer to any long
or costly struggle. (Hamilton, 186-210)
Connection to the novel:
“After a quiet eternity of the Trojan War, Mama Tataba burst in and threw her apron on a chair.” As Mama
Tataba berates Reverend Price for his attempts to baptize the Congolese in the crocodile infested waters,
the girls realize that their once enigmatic father has fallen from grace as well with the move to the Congo,
diminishing their fear of rebelling against him.
Blood of the Lamb (p. 81) – The Blood of the Lamb refers to holy water used for baptizing. The water
symbolizes the blood of Christ, and as Christ died to absolve mankind of sins, his “blood” cleans the
individual of original sin to begin life anew as a renewed man. (Breidenthal. “Washed in the Blood of the
Lamb.” Sermon)
Connection to the novel:
“‘They don’t let their children step foot in the river, ever. Not even to be washed in the Blood of the
Lamb’” Nathan Price experiences a crisis of faith of sorts, as the once benevolent and clear waters of
baptism pools are transformed by the Congo into murky, crocodile infested depths, in turn the only source
of salvation and the most dangerous part of the forest.