Defining Moments: A look at the turning points in The Poisonwood Bible

In class the other day, we discuseed "defining moments", or "turning points". I found this activity pretty interesting because we could take the book and condense it into certain parts or passages that were really significant. I think doing this activity was like killing two birds with one stone. We learn about the significant passages in the book, and through these passages, we can learn about the characters themselves! At least I thought that it helped me to learn about the characters.

Our group came up with two defining moments. They take place during the books Genesis and Revelations. The two passages are actually related through one character: Father. On Pg. 79, Mama Tataba suddenly leaves the Price household. On her way out, she yells at father and gives him a mean scolding. "Naturally it shocked us half to death to hear somebody caterwauling at Father this way." What's so significant about this passage? I think that the mere fact that someone is yelling at Father seems very important. From the beginning of the book, Father was seen as someone who was almighty and powerful. That is, of course, from the perspective of the women of the Price family. We don't know what Father is thinking, but we can see that Father might not be as powerful or as mighty as he looks. The main significance here is that Father is being challenged for once. He is not the dominant person in this instance. This idea might be very important later on.

The second passage is in Revelations. This situation is similar, but in a certain way, it is different. Ruth May broke her arm, and her parents took her to the hospital. While they are there, father and the doctor exchange a few words. This exchange is not friendly at all, and it reveals some more information about Father. "Now, Reverend, this civilization the Belgians and Americans brought, what should that be?" Father said, "Why, the roads! Railroads..."(121). Even though this situation is similar to what happened with Mama Tataba, it goes a step further. The doctor obviously is indifferent to Christianity in general. This is made clear when he talks back to father. In the quote, we can see that the doctor is not just question Father, he is questioning the Belgians and Americans. In this way he is challenging Father to the highest degree. He questions Father's work and his beliefs. I believe that the doctor is the only character to do this so far. It's a turning point because father is shown to not be so powerful as he seems.

This discussion really made me more interested in the events of the book. I'll be sure to keep a watch out for more passages like these!