Character Analysis Of Leah Price In The Poisonwood Bible

Words: 1214
Pages: 5

Throughout the novel The Poisonwood Bible, written by Barbra Kingsolver, several textual features help allow for a deeper analysis of Leah Price, one of the main characters in this story. Episodes in this dark novel contain diction, mood, and narrative elements that aid the reader in gathering more information regarding Price, who demonstrates a drastic change during this book’s progression. After analyzing Leah’s point of view, I was able to develop a better understanding of where the character speaks from and what she goes through as her story continues to evolve. Leah begins the novel longing for her dad’s affection and attention, but she eventually overcomes this wish and transforms as a character in positive ways, making her a stronger …show more content…
He opens up a new path for Leah, and by doing this he changes the way she thinks and behaves, as well as alters Leah’s overall tone and attitude for the remainder of the novel. Anatole is one of the main reasons why Leah transforms as a character physically, behaviorally, and spiritually. While rowing across the river to try and escape the driver ants, Anatole converses with Leah about race and equality at the time when Leah comes to a deduction that her faith may not possess a higher value than ethical morals and justice. Following this discussion, she “felt the breath of God go cold on [her] skin (309)”, which helps lead her to the decision of her hesitancy regarding her religious beliefs. This realization brightens Leah’s tone and attitude since she now thinks of Anatole as someone she values higher than both God and her Father, whom she originally thought of as equals. Now that she sees this change, she moves forward to execute her new beliefs and begin her improved, new life. She does not forever crave her father’s approval by worshipping God anymore, but instead shifts her energy towards marrying Anatole and raising a wonderful family. Soon enough, she actually comes to despise her father, saying that “[her] father can go straight to hell (358)” contradicting the sweet and loving words she used to describe him in the beginning of the book. Leah’s outlook took a turn from naïve and innocent, to assertive and independent. She did not care about her father as much as she did before, allowing herself to be open to new opportunities’ that her father would have disapproved of. After these events occurred, as a reader, I knew that Leah jumped on the right path to