Kingsolver’s Portrayal of Christianity in The Poisonwood Bible Essay

Kingsolvers Portrayal of Christianity in The Poisonwood BibleKingsolvers concern with Christianity is evident in the very title ofThe Poisonwood Bible. She uses books to divide the original intosections, which, with names like Genesis and The Revelation, reflectthe books of the Bible. As the novel progresses, the bodily structuredeviates from that of its biblical namesakes there is a shift inorder - hejira is placed centrally - and new books with titles such asThe Eyes in the Trees are introduced (Kingsolvers own appellations).These names present the reader with the topic that Kingsolver isrewriting the central Christian text, adapting it for her own story.Thus religion is announce as a significant presence in the book, not respectable thematically, but structurally.Throughout The Poisonwood Bible, Kingsolver uses her characters torepresent forms of attitudes to Christianity. The primary expositor isNathan, who sustains forceful, evangelical beliefs throughout. He hasno voice of h is own, but all accounts affirm to the reader that he isconsumed by his faith. Leah, the daughter who harbours the mostrespect for her father, initially refers to him only in the place setting ofreligion his tone implied thatMothers concern with BetterCrocker confederated her with the coin-jingling sinners who vexedJesus cashbox he pitched a fit and threw them out of church. She isdescribing the cleansing of the temple in John 213-22, but the factthat she can destination it freely, and even put it into her own words,demonstrates that she has been heavily influenced by the Bible.Kingsolver is perhaps arduous to show that religion can be used tocontrol the air people think, and she portrays Christianity as highlypotent. Leah continues to incorpo... ...e wayNathan treats his daughters, or for the religious jolt betweenWestern values and Congolese beliefs. Nathan, with his oppressivedogmatism, encounters obstacles because he refuses to ask anythingbut his own beliefs, thereby displaying his utter cultural arrogancethe some here that choose Christi-an-ity over ignorance and darknessKingsolver makes him a slave to an ancient, severe text,depicting his struggle to force it upon people who have no interest init. Nathans personal religion was poisoned when his company died onthe conclusion march. It was not Christianity that made him into (as Leahputs it) a simple, ugly man, it was a series of tragic events,falling upon an impressionable man at an fateful time. Through hisdownfall, Kingsolver effectively puts across the danger of being rigidand harsh about traditional Christianity.