Matthew Barnes

In a novel like Kingsolver’s The Poisonwood Bible, it does not seem respectful to

make any sort of generalization about her treatment of Christianity, one way or the

other. Just like her work and every other work of great literature, the answer is more

nuanced than a simple yes or no statement. While she may seem to disapprove of

organized religion, it appears that she is more critical of those who abuse it or twist it to

their own devices. While she depicts Nathan Price in an unfavorable light, Brother

Fowles is a much more likeable character, while being a Christian as well. Indeed, the

rest of the Price family are endearing in their own right, with the exception of Rachel,

perhaps.

The father is painted as an absolutist, with no tolerance for other cultures

practices’, despite having willing deposited himself and his family amidst a culture that

may be the most contrastive from his own. And nor does he learn; instead of eventually

coming to the conclusion that the only way to prosper and make any gains as a

missionary is to work and cooperate with the community, he blindly stampedes

forward, which leads to the abandonment of him by his family and his eventual death.

He drives away everyone, even those obligated to love him in his singular commitment

to the grand conversion of the small village. His inability to do so speaks not only for

western religion but as whole, representative of the problems western culture has had

in communicating and interacting with African peoples and the arrogance we have

exhibited whilst imperializing them with our western sodas, clothes, and ideals.

Religion- Christianity- is merely Kingsolver’s vehicle for this message.

 As the saying goes: There are Christians, and then there are Christians, with

Brother Fowles being in the latter category. He does not try to presume himself and his

ideals on others, but rather cooperates and engages the African villagers, attempting to

generate an exchange of beliefs as opposed to a one-way deposition. And, as is really

only natural, managed to fall in love with a woman. Fowles represents the better half of

humanity, so to speak, the half that practices love, respect, and acceptance while the

other half practices intolerance, arrogance, and fire-and-brimstone rhetoric. This latter

half is often typified as “true” Christianity, but it is only that, a stereotype. Brother

Fowles is just as capable at quoting excerpts from the Bible as Price, but interprets them

in a startlingly different way.