Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Poisonwood Bible, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Freedom, Growth, and Coming-of-age
Religion and Faith
Women and Sexism
Race, Racism, and Culture
Imperialism
Summary
Analysis
Ruth May reports that Nathan and Leah flew away “on the plane.” This isn’t Axelroot’s plane, but a special charter plane, one sent by the Underdowns to transport the Prices out of the Congo. Nathan leaves in the airplane with Leah, claiming that they’ll be back soon. (We’re not told where they’re going.) Meanwhile, Orleanna sits in bed all day, too sick to get up. Rachel tries to take care of Orleanna, but to no avail. It’s very quiet in the house.
As this part of the novel progresses, we see the Prices in airplanes more and more often, reflecting the rapidly changing circumstances of the country. It’s poignant to see Rachel trying and failing to take care of her mother—Orleanna is a great provider, so when she’s sick, her children aren’t sure what to do.
Themes
