In Barbara Kingsolver's novel A Poisonwood Bible, Kingsolver takes the reader through the adventures of a family who moved from Bethlehem, Georgia to Kilanga, Congo. In essence, the whole book focuses on the family interactions between each other and the people around them. Consequently, numerous family dynamics are brought to life and examined from different perspectives. Each of the women in the Price family, present their thoughts and feelings around the present events, and most of their comments regard others in their family. The reader, therefore, sees the overlap between the familial events and the societal events; each event is separate but interlocked. As the reader observes the relationships in the family changing, they also see a change in the relationships between the Price family and the rest of the community.
One strong example of this overlap is Leah's attitude change toward her father. As she loses trust in her father's judgement she also pushes the boundaries of the societal norms by wanting to hunt with the men. Although unaccepted by the elderly in the community, Leah fights for her right to hunt as she fights against her father's control over her. Leah's reactions are separate but parallel. As a result, the reader observes various affects that the family unit has on society, which corresponds to the big question, "What influences do the family unit have on society?"
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Question: What is your big question? Why does this question interest you? Tell a story from your life that illustrates why this question interests you
"Why aren't you eating lunch?"
"I don't have money."
"Why?"
"My parents won't give me money for lunch."
"What?"
"They only give me 200 dollars a month to buy everything I need."
"Including food?"
"Yes!"
"So now you go hungry because your parents won't invest in your nutrition?"
"Yes. In fact I don't eat enough on a regular basis. There are other things that I need to buy."
"What! Why don't you tell them about it?
"They won't listen. All they do is yell and scream at me."
Sometimes I wonder why people act the way they do. Why do people have totally different perspectives regarding the same subject? Why do they react so strongly in certain circumstances? Is it because of family? Do their family interactions affect their responses to society?
The question that I chose to ponder is, "What influences do the family unit have on society?" Each child grows up in a different family and has a different relationship with their parents and siblings. I have always had an unusually close relationship with my parents and consequently share many of their views. Additionally, my character is largely influenced by my interactions at home, just as others' personalities seem to have parallels to their family lives. Usually, when a person undergoes stresses at home, such as a divorce, their personality is altered. It becomes evident that something is wrong.
One of the catalysts for my thinking on the family unit, is an event that occurred recently. In the summer of 2010, the parents of a family who I see periodically got divorced. I saw their children 6 months later and observed a slight change in their self confidence and tendencies to cling to anyone they felt even somewhat safe with. This past summer, the slight change became easily noticeable, even from six months earlier. My thoughts wandered to what changes this next year would bring about. What long term effects will the divorce have on them? I pray for the best.
Just as drastic changes in a family seem to have ripple effects, I wonder what other aspects of the family unit influence society.
"I don't have money."
"Why?"
"My parents won't give me money for lunch."
"What?"
"They only give me 200 dollars a month to buy everything I need."
"Including food?"
"Yes!"
"So now you go hungry because your parents won't invest in your nutrition?"
"Yes. In fact I don't eat enough on a regular basis. There are other things that I need to buy."
"What! Why don't you tell them about it?
"They won't listen. All they do is yell and scream at me."
Sometimes I wonder why people act the way they do. Why do people have totally different perspectives regarding the same subject? Why do they react so strongly in certain circumstances? Is it because of family? Do their family interactions affect their responses to society?
The question that I chose to ponder is, "What influences do the family unit have on society?" Each child grows up in a different family and has a different relationship with their parents and siblings. I have always had an unusually close relationship with my parents and consequently share many of their views. Additionally, my character is largely influenced by my interactions at home, just as others' personalities seem to have parallels to their family lives. Usually, when a person undergoes stresses at home, such as a divorce, their personality is altered. It becomes evident that something is wrong.
One of the catalysts for my thinking on the family unit, is an event that occurred recently. In the summer of 2010, the parents of a family who I see periodically got divorced. I saw their children 6 months later and observed a slight change in their self confidence and tendencies to cling to anyone they felt even somewhat safe with. This past summer, the slight change became easily noticeable, even from six months earlier. My thoughts wandered to what changes this next year would bring about. What long term effects will the divorce have on them? I pray for the best.
Just as drastic changes in a family seem to have ripple effects, I wonder what other aspects of the family unit influence society.
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