- Interpreting the book as a product of its time and culture -
Kingsolver wrote The Poisonwood Bible in 1998, but the novel was set in the Congo in the 1960s.
The Congo in the 1960s:
January 4, 1959 - The Leopoldville riots
May 1, 1960 - Independence
July 5, 1960 - U.N. Intervention
September 4, 1960 - Military Coup
The World in the 1960s:
Cold War, Vietnam War, Space Exploration, Counterculture Movement, Civil Rights Movement
1998 - the Second Congo War
Kingsolver wrote about the 1960s by looking back on history with a modern perspective. The Second Congo War began in 1998. Although Kingsolver probably was well into the novel by then, knowledge of the troubles in Africa would have influenced her writing.
Kingsolver's modern knowledge about the 1960s also helped her write the book within the context of the 1960s culture. The Cold War affected the story, for example, the mentions of the "Communist Boy Scouts." Throughout the beginning of the book, we have heard mentions of Leopoldville, which could later lead to significance with the Leopoldville riots. Throughout we have also heard mentions of rebellion, leading up to independence, including mention of leader Patrice Lumumba.
The Price family was plopped into the middle of a culture they knew nothing about. They don't fully understand what is occuring and about to occur yet. The time setting will affect their story, and so the historical knowledge of the road to independence in the Congo is very important to the novel.
Also, the culture of how to give aid to Africa affects the book. The Prices may have good intentions, but they are not acting in the proper manner. The context supports the notion aid, but condemns the way in which it comes. The 1998 perspective on both Communism and the Civil Rights movement also greatly affects the portrayal in the novel. In the novel, we see prospects of a self-functioning village, of white intervention, and of prejudice and stereotypes.
I agree with you, Sarah. I also think that the Vietnam War influenced how Kingsolver wrote her book. I agree with you that the Price family had no idea where they were and what was about to happen there.
ReplyDeleteDarn it my comment was deleted. Anyway, I think that the fact that Kingsolver wrote the book nearly forty years after the fact is one of the most important aspects. It is difficult to know what the outcome of a situation will be while it is taking place, but with hindsight, opinions can be formed more easily. If the Christians in Africa had experienced sweeping success, and converted all the natives, and changed their lives for the better, Kingsolver's book would be incredibly different. Of course, that was not the case, and thus the Poisonwood Bible was written in the way it was, with a historical opinion.
ReplyDeleteIt appears you put a lot of research into what was happening historically in Congo in the 60's and how it influenced Kingsolver. You referenced the communistboy scouts, yet there are several more references to America's obsession with communism. On page 95, for example, Orleanna talks about Eisenhower, "the Kennedy boy," and George F. Kennan's opinions of the Congo falling to communism.
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