Quote 1: I wonder that religion can live or die on the strength of a faint, stirring breeze. The scent trail shifts , causing the predator to miss the pounce. One god draws in the breath; another god expires. (Page, 141)
This is a quote from Adah after she had gone to get water with Leah , but she returned home later than Leah since she always liked wandering about and doing her things at her own slower pace. As she was walking along the trail, she thought that she heard footsteps following her, but every time she stopped the noises also stopped. She got home and slipped into her hammock to rest. Tata Ndu arrives shortly and informs Adah’s father that they had found reliable evidence that a lion had killed a girl who was dragging one foot. This came in when Tata Ndu, the chief of Kilanga had been predicting that the people would get punished if they stopped serving the old gods. This quote serves to explain the mysteries and the fragile nature of faith, it tells of how strong a religion can be, provided people have faith and totally believes in it, In fact, these fragile nature of faith as depicted in this part foreshadows Adah’s abandoning Christianity.
Quote 2: We are going to make the Congo, for all of Africa, the heart of light (p184)
These words were spoken by Patrice Lumumba during his inauguration speech. They promise the people of Congo a new life and hope for the future. Unfortunately, their dreams are shattered into disaster as Lumumba is arrested and later assassinated. The dictator who takes over plunges Congo into poverty and cruelty. This quote on his inauguration day supports the motifs of light and darkness in our society
Quote 3. Not my clothes, there wasn’t time, and not the Bible; it didn’t seem worth saving at that moment , so help me God. It had to be my mirror. (p301)
Racheal is quoted saying this after an invasion of ants. She went back to salvage the most dear thing to her; the mirror. This act portrays the reflection Racheal’s vanity, and her desire to hang on her teenage image she has always desired. This quote is important as it tries to explain how different people would place their priorities at their different stages in life.
References
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Kingsolver, B. (1998). The Poisonwood Bible: A novel. New York: HarperFlamingo.
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