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 novel intosections, which, with names desire Genesis and The Revelation, reflectthe books of the Bible. As the novel progresses, the structuredeviates from that of its biblical namesakes there is a shift inorder - Exodus is placed centrally - and sunrise(prenominal) books with titles such asThe Eyes in the Trees are introduced (Kingsolvers have appellations).These names present the reader with the idea that Kingsolver isrewriting the central Christian text, adapting it for her own story.Thus trust is heralded as a significant presence in the book, notjust thematically, but structurally.Throughout The Poisonwood Bible, Kingsolver uses her characters torepresent forms of attitudes to Christianity. The primary expositor isNathan, who sustains forceful, evangelistic beliefs throughout. He hasno voice of hi s 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 context ofreligion his tone implied thatMothers concern with BetterCrocker confederated her with the coin-jingling sinners who vexedJesus till he pitched a fit and threw them out of church. She isdescribing the cleansing of the tabernacle in John 213-22, but the factthat she can reference it freely, and even put it into her own words,demonstrates that she has been heavily influenced by the Bible.Kingsolver is perhaps trying to salute that religion can be used tocontrol the way people think, and she portrays Christianity as highlypotent. Leah continues to incorpo... ...e wayNathan treats his daughters, or for the religious clash between Hesperian values and Congolese beliefs. Nathan, with his oppressivedogmatism, encounters obstacles because he refuses to accept anythingbut his own beliefs, thereby display ing his utter cultural arrogancethe few here that choose Christi-an-ity over ignorance and darknessKingsolver makes him a slave to an ancient, uncompromising text,depicting his struggle to force it upon people who have no interest init. Nathans personal religion was poisoned when his company died onthe death march. It was not Christianity that made him into (as Leahputs it) a simple, ugly macrocosm, it was a series of tragic events,falling upon an impressionable man at an unfortunate time. Through hisdownfall, Kingsolver effectively puts across the danger of being rigidand uncompromising about traditional Christianity.