Analysis Of Brother Fowles By Barbara Kingsolver

(L) In Leah’s realization of the Congolese people’s self worth, Kingsolver again utilizes the motif of vision and eyes to convey the fact that the Congolese believe themselves to be worth less than a banana to the whites. Since Leah possesses two good eyes, whereas her father Nathan Price only has one good eye, so she is able to see two perspectives of her own life. Not only does Leah see herself as a white woman from the United States, she also sees herself as a member of the African community in the Congo. Although she may not fully belong in either community, Leah still believes that she somehow belongs. (CH) This quote, although depressing, emphasizes the viewpoint of the Congolese who think they are worthless because of the way that the
Until the introduction of Brother Fowles, the reader is left with only Nathan’s narrow-minded viewpoint of Christianity and approach to religion. He doesn’t try to be understanding with his pupils and instead he embitters them, resulting in a community vote that ends with Jesus losing. However, Brother Fowles provides a counterpoint for Nathan’s view. Although he was dismissed from the mission trip because he married a Congolese woman, Brother Fowles offers kindness and gifts that seem to do more good in one visit than Nathan did in one whole year. He has a breadth of knowledge from the Bible and seems to convey it in a better way than Nathan. (T) This quote sums up the main point of the novel regarding religion; there are people who abide by the righteous tenants of Christianity such as peace, patience, kindness, and charity, whereas there are are other people who use religion as a platform for gaining power. This is represented through Brother Fowles and Nathan Price. Brother Fowles is open-minded to looser interpretations of the Bible, but Nathan is narrow-minded when it comes to
Although the Congo was more accepting of women in larger roles of African society, they certainly continue to restrict their roles and duties. Since the Price girls have lived in the oppressed community of Kilanga where men act superior to their female counterparts, the girls often seem like outcasts of society. They wear shorts and hunt, which is odd to the people of Kilanga. Their father, Nathan Price, is the lone man of the family and maintains dominance over the family and his wife, who feels belittled and inferior. However, when they leave the Kilanga village, the women are without their father, which leaves them feeling as if a burden has left them. (CH) The Price girls have heavily-contrasting personalities which allow the reader to interpret their characters and actions with a feminist lens. Rachel, the spoiled oldest sister, embodies the worst female traits whereas Leah is curious and intelligent and wants to learn more about the Congolese culture by teaching classes and participating in the hunt. Leah better defines the push to end the unjust and unfair restrictions on