The Poisonwood Bible has five different point of views. There is Oreleanna Price, the mother, the oldest daughter Rachel, the twins Leah and Adah, and the youngest Ruth May. Each view point offers a different feel and observations to the story, and all of the view points are women. And although each character is special and gives an interesting narrative, Ruth May is my favorite, and highlights why it's important for women and children to narrate this novel.
Ruth May is the freshest and most innocent perspective in the novel. She also happens to be the youngest. Ruth May observes in ways the others do not due to her age and her birth order. She is one of the only look we have into the culture the prices came from and an intriguing perspective into the culture she has been immersed in. She looks at the African children innocently wondering about them. Her first narrative in the novel starts with "if somebody was hungry, why would they have a big fat belly? I don't know" (50). This sets up her character to be unknowing of much, as she is just a child. She is trying to figure out if they are hungry or not because to her hungry means skinny. She also gives a glimpse of the USA when she talks about the man "Jimmy Crow" who makes colored skin people do things separately from whites. She is so innocent she thinks the Jim Crow Laws are a person. Lastly, her opinion on religion and morality is in the pre conventional stage of just right and wrong and fear of punishment. She is confused about if the African children stealing are committing a sin. She knows stealing is a "bad sin", but her mother says "you can't hardly even call it a sin when they need ever little thing as bad as they do" while her father says "to forgive them for they know not what they do" (50-51). She concludes the confusion with "so I don't know which one, if it was a sin or it wasn't, but I sure got mad and had a fit" (51). This shows that she does not care if it is a sin, all she knows is it affects her and she doesn't like that. This is a typical child's point of view.
It is important that women and children narrate the story because they are the oppressed voices that are not quite sure about all the politics and converting. By having women narrate the story, it offers more of sentimental, calm, observations about what is going on. From their stories, the reader can tell that Nathan is a hot head who is very aggressive. His narration would just be trashing the African culture, not observing it. The children offer a perspective that is different from adults. They are more trusting and gravitate towards other kids their age no matter the skin color. This helps show that racism is taught, in this case by their father, Nathan. The women and children offer a different perspective that would not be given by a angry man.
Ruth May, both a girl and a very young child, gives a narration that is slightly comical due to her innocence and concerns. Without Ruth May, the reader would not have a child's perspective on the other African children nor would they get a view on how a child views the religion being forced upon her.
I really liked reading this post! You incorporate many specific examples, all of which contribute greatly to your argument. I like how there is a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. This creates a very cohesive piece, guiding the reader through your thought process. The reasoning behind why the narrators are solely women is solid. You bring up an interesting perspective on Nathan, one that I did not really think that hard about until you mentioned it, for which I thank you. You are correct in saying the women had more impartial and fair viewpoints than if that man had controlled the narrative. Amazing job!
ReplyDeleteI really like the detail you have put into showing Ruth May's innocence. You have included specific points throughout the novel that each are strong points that help your argument. I would have liked more explanation as to why you found her innocence so enjoyable, because to a point I found it purposeful in not taking responsibility, such as when she knows she shouldn't be near Axelroot, but spies anyway because she doesn't understand fully why. I like that in your discussion of the importance of women and children narrators you describe how the novel would be different had Nathan been given a voice. Very throughout post!
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