The Poisonwwod Bible and The History of the Congo

In the Poisonwood Bible a family of missionaries travel to Kilanga, Congo to spread western ideas. Back then most missionaries thought of themselves as bringing the "pure light" of Western civilization to shine on the Congolese "darkness." There they experience the harshness of reality in Africa. The turmoil that has been constant in the Congo involves political control, power, land ownership and its resources. The natural resources and minerals that were exploited before the twentieth century are copper, diamonds, cobalt, petroleum, gold, silver, and zinc (‘World Focus’).

The Congo is Africa's third largest country and is home to many of the natural resources we use today. Minerals found in the Congo are also found in cell phones, laptops and other electronics around the world making this region a valuable place to obtain. In the book there is a political power for Congolese independence and Belgium control. In the late 1800’s, King Leopold II of Belgium declared himself the dictator and ruler of the Congo. He only had public support at home because he announced that his intent was to Christianize and modernize the Congolese region and it’s population, similar to what the Price family intentions were. When actually Leopold planned to exploit the land and force it’s people, men, women, and children for mining, especially in the ivory and rubber business (‘Countries and their Culture’). Much like the Price’s Leopold said he had good intentions, but in reality wanted to distort the Congolese society. The big difference though is that the Prices didn’t realize how they were negatively affecting Kilanga society and actually did have good intentions, unlike Leopold who knew of his plans.

In 1908, Leopold was forced to give up his rule and sell his colony to Belgium. The new Belgium government then started to focus on exploiting the land for copper, diamonds, and oil. This switch of power didn’t help the Congolese people one bit. This new rule forced men and children into hard labor, which almost destroyed traditional society in the Congo. The Poisonwood Bible takes place during the end of this Belgium rule in the Congo, when they finally obtain independence. Sadly, this rebellion leads to even more confrontation in the Congo, such as the fall of their newly elected Congolese leader and fighting between it’s own people against it’s government. An example is of Anatole and Leah’s attempts to rally justice, but Anatole just ends up being thrown in jail for speaking out against the corrupt government. (‘Countries and their Cultures’)

"In the world, the carrying capacity for humans is limited. History holds all things in the balance, including large hopes and short lives," (Sparknotes Editors). Before the arrival of Europeans and missionaries the Congolese society was organized and efficient in health, education, and trade, but in their own way. Not being able to understand this culture we send over doctors, missionaries and all sorts of people to ‘help’. Yet, what Adah says at the beginning of this paragraph is we can’t change the balance of the world. It maintains its own balance of all things, even of life and death.

Works Citied

"Democratic Republic of Congo." Countries and Their Culture. 2009. Web. 4 Nov 2009. .

"Resources in Congo." World Focus. 03 011 2008. Blogwatch, Web. 5 Nov 2009. .

SparkNotes Editors. “SparkNote on Poisonwood Bible.” SparkNotes.com. SparkNotes LLC. n.d.. Web. 3 Nov. 2009