Poisonwood Bible: Adah Character Analysis

Barbara Kingsolver’s novel, Poisonwood Bible, explores the lives of the Price family as they navigate the complexities of living as missionaries in the Congo. Adah Price, the eldest daughter of the family, is a complex and intriguing character who undergoes significant growth and development throughout the novel. This essay will provide a comprehensive analysis of Adah Price’s character, examining her physical disability, her intelligence, her relationship with her family, and her personal growth throughout the novel.

Physical Disability

Adah Price is born with a physical disability, a condition that affects her walking and causes her to limp. This disability sets her apart from her twin sister, Leah, and results in her feeling like an outsider within her own family. Adah’s disability is a significant aspect of her character, as it shapes her perspective on the world and her own sense of self. Adah’s physical disability is a metaphor for her feelings of alienation and difference, and it serves as a catalyst for her intellectual pursuits. Adah’s disability also shapes her view of the world, as she observes and analyzes the people and events around her with a keen and perceptive eye.

Intelligence

Adah Price is exceptionally intelligent, with a sharp wit and a keen intellect. She is a voracious reader and has a deep love for language and poetry. Adah’s intelligence sets her apart from her sisters and allows her to see the world in a different light. She uses her intelligence as a shield, a way to protect herself from the harsh realities of her surroundings. Adah’s intelligence also allows her to develop a deep understanding of the Congo and its people, as she observes and analyzes their behaviors and customs with a critical eye. Adah’s intelligence is a source of both strength and isolation, as it sets her apart from her family and the other missionaries.

Relationship with Family

Adah’s relationship with her family is complex and fraught with tension. She feels alienated from her twin sister, Leah, and struggles to connect with her father, Nathan, who is a domineering and overbearing figure. Adah’s relationship with her mother, Orleanna, is also strained, as Orleanna often fails to understand or support Adah’s intellectual pursuits. Adah’s relationship with her sisters is also complicated, as she feels both protective and resentful towards them. Throughout the novel, Adah’s relationship with her family undergoes significant changes, as she grapples with her feelings of isolation and seeks to find her place within the family unit.

Personal Growth

One of the most significant aspects of Adah Price’s character is her personal growth and development throughout the novel. As the story unfolds, Adah undergoes a profound transformation, as she begins to question her father’s authority and the mission’s purpose. She also begins to develop a deeper understanding and empathy for the Congolese people, as she witnesses the impact of colonialism and cultural imperialism on their lives. Adah’s personal growth is also reflected in her decision to reject her father’s religious beliefs and embrace a more nuanced and compassionate worldview. By the end of the novel, Adah emerges as a strong and independent woman, unafraid to challenge the status quo and speak her mind.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Adah Price is a complex and multi-faceted character in Barbara Kingsolver’s Poisonwood Bible. Her physical disability, intelligence, relationship with her family, and personal growth all contribute to her fascinating and compelling portrayal. Adah’s journey of self-discovery and empowerment is a central theme of the novel, and her character serves as a powerful commentary on the complexities of identity, family, and the human spirit.