The Poisonwood Bible

“There’s only one question worth asking now: How do we aim to live with it?” 

Orleanna Price begins the book by explaining that she wants forgiveness from her dead daughter, Ruth May, but she does not believe that she will be judged worthy of this. The reasoning she presents is that she has benefitted from the Congo in some way, enjoying undeserved gains at the expense of Africa. She considers that not everyone knows where their good fortune comes from, but the question is how they are supposed to live with the guilt of their prosperity and privilege. This statement establishes Orleanna Price’s character and primary motivation after the death of her daughter: guilt.

“We are supposed to be calling the shots here, but it doesn’t look to me like we’re in charge of a thing, not even our own selves.” 

Rachel is the first to acknowledge that their family is unexpectedly out of their depth. Reverend Price has his own ideas of how their first day in Kilanga was meant to go, but his plans come to nothing as the Congolese people follow their own cultural norms. This reflects the Price family’s unpreparedness and lack of control over their situation. It also foreshadows Reverend Price’s ultimate failure as a missionary. Just as he is unable to take control of the natives’ welcome to have a calm prayer meeting, he is also unable to convince the Congolese people to abandon their gods.