If you've ever read the Poisonwood Bible, nature is a constant, ever-present theme. Flora and fauna are mentioned on almost every page, from okapis to snakes, hippos, elephants, poisonous trees, otherworldy insects, delicate flowers, tarantulas, monkeys, and crocodiles.
More interestingly, each of the main characters seems to possess varying degrees of connectedness towards nature. Leah, being the most
inquisitive, outdoorsy, and adventurous of the family, is also perhaps the most inspired by natural world. She is driven by a sort of childlike curiosity and desire- to climb trees, explore, take note of local customs, and soak up every little detail of her surroundings. As she recalls before arriving at Kilanga: "My heart pounded, for I expected everything: jungle flowers, wild roaring beasts. God's kingdom in its pure, unenlightened glory." (17)
Leah's burning curiosity and interest in the natural world seem reminiscent of Edward O. Wilson's famous "Biophilia Hypothesis"-- the instinctive bond between humans and other living systems. Unlike her mother and sisters, she does not simply observe and appreciate nature where it appears. She seeks it and directly interacts with it: searching for monkeys, climbing trees, cutting up fruit for Methuselah, or catching grasshoppers for Leon (106).
There are two important outcomes of Leah's relationship with nature. One is the fact that she gets the most out of the Congo. Where her father is pulling his hair out over the non-cooperative Congolese, her sister Rachel is wishing she were back at home, and her mother is constantly worried about the family, Leah is saying "Oh, it's a heavenly paradise in the Congo and sometimes I just want to live here forever." (103).
By becoming enthralled with the Congo, Leah is also brought into conflict with some of her traditional beliefs. Part of her wants to be a good Christian girl and make her father proud, where another part of her simply wants to run wild and be free. Just after stating how she could "climb trees just like the boys" and eat guavas "till the juice runs down her shirt", she says "Only I am fifteen now...and must think about maturing into a Christian lady" (103).
More interestingly, each of the main characters seems to possess varying degrees of connectedness towards nature. Leah, being the most
inquisitive, outdoorsy, and adventurous of the family, is also perhaps the most inspired by natural world. She is driven by a sort of childlike curiosity and desire- to climb trees, explore, take note of local customs, and soak up every little detail of her surroundings. As she recalls before arriving at Kilanga: "My heart pounded, for I expected everything: jungle flowers, wild roaring beasts. God's kingdom in its pure, unenlightened glory." (17)Leah's burning curiosity and interest in the natural world seem reminiscent of Edward O. Wilson's famous "Biophilia Hypothesis"-- the instinctive bond between humans and other living systems. Unlike her mother and sisters, she does not simply observe and appreciate nature where it appears. She seeks it and directly interacts with it: searching for monkeys, climbing trees, cutting up fruit for Methuselah, or catching grasshoppers for Leon (106).
There are two important outcomes of Leah's relationship with nature. One is the fact that she gets the most out of the Congo. Where her father is pulling his hair out over the non-cooperative Congolese, her sister Rachel is wishing she were back at home, and her mother is constantly worried about the family, Leah is saying "Oh, it's a heavenly paradise in the Congo and sometimes I just want to live here forever." (103).
By becoming enthralled with the Congo, Leah is also brought into conflict with some of her traditional beliefs. Part of her wants to be a good Christian girl and make her father proud, where another part of her simply wants to run wild and be free. Just after stating how she could "climb trees just like the boys" and eat guavas "till the juice runs down her shirt", she says "Only I am fifteen now...and must think about maturing into a Christian lady" (103).
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