AnalysisPart II: Analysis of Book Titles
Genesis
Just like the first book in the Bible, the first book of The Poisonwood Bible is named Genesis. As well as the beginning, Genesis can also mean rebirth. When characters arrive in the Congo they realize the things they brought with them are changed by Africa and can no longer be as they once were. In this way, Genesis symbolizes the process of becoming their new selves. For instance, the first chapter in The Poisonwood Bible, narrated by Orleanna, strongly shows the guilt that the Congo had left her to live with after the death of Ruth May. Likewise, Eve, the first woman in Genesis, forced all of mankind to shoulder the guilt of eating the forbidden fruit.
“I trod on Africa without a
However, earlier on in the fourth book, Nathan tells the story of the Babylonians and how they worshiped the false idol Bel, believing him to be alive because he ate all the food they offered. Daniel foils this idea by sprinkling ashes on the floor to prove to the king that the priests were eating the offerings, not the statue of Bel. Inspired by this story, the Price girls sprinkle ashes on the floor of the chicken coop and catch Tata Kuvudundu’s footprints and proves he was the one who put the snake there, thus causing Ruth May’s death.
“What we decided to do was to set a trap, like Daniel in the temple,” (359).
“I could only stare at Ruth May’s bare left shoulder, where two red puncture wounds stood out like red beads on her flesh” (364).

Exodus The reason why Kingsolver chose to name this portion of the book Exodus is clear. It has a direct connection to the biblical book of the same name where Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, away from where they were enslaved and into the Promised Land. Orleanna can be compared to Moses is this case, as she is the one to led her daughters away from Nathan who enslaved them to his deranged beliefs. Except for Ruth May, the girls managed to escape and build their own lives away from Kilanga and Nathan. In the End, even Nathan Price achieved his own exodus through death. “I have only the haziest recollection of waving at my mother and sister in a rising cloud of diesel exhaust and mosquitoes