PB Lit Post 1

In our first literature circle meeting in groups, we discussed only a few basic things about "The Poisonwood Bible", by Barbara Kingolver. Not everybody read up to the same point, while a couple of people read the entire first book of genesis and knew a lot more than the other members (including me). We started off by just getting all of the charachters straight. We established that Orleana Price is the mother of the family and was introduced in the first chapter as the narrator. Personally I thought that was a pretty cool way to start the book off. To me, her chapter hits the spot. I'm not quite sure. She first comes across as a pretty weird lady, but her voice sounds more mature, and supremely mysterious. Even to the end of genesis, she remains a mysterious, vague charachter; such as in the birthday cake mix scene.

Anyway, other charachters include Ruth May Price, the youngest Price. At the tender age of five years old, she is your typical innocent little girl. For example, she believed her classmate when he told her that the Africans would eat her. She remains afraid of her neighbors through the end of the section at least. She's cute, adorable, lovable, and her all those warm and fuzzy feelings associated with little kids.

Secondly, the twins, Leah and Adah Price are of deeply contrasting personalities. While Leah, in her attempt to be daddy's favorite is the most devout of the girls, Adah makes fun of her father and sister's religiosity. Leah is disliked by many people because of her stuck-up personality. I'll admit to that too. But her chapters are the easiest to read along with the force that drives most of her actions: her desire to be daddy's favorite. She pretty much comes and says it outright in one of the chapters. Adah on the other hand sees the world in a different way because of her hemiplegia. In other words, she walks funny, half of her brain doesn't work (or is it missing?), and can't speak. But she can think and function mentally was well as the next person. In fact, she observes many more things than the rest and loves to come up with palindromes and talk bakwards. She's pretty cool I guess.

Finally, Rachel is your typical rebellious teen, and cares much more for fashion than their family's religious crusade into the Congo. There's not much to say about her, but the way she describes the African's clothes and surroundings makes it easier for me to picture these scenes as well. I kind of like her too I guess.