In class we discussed one of the closing chapters of the Poisonwood Bible: Exodus. The chapter is different than the preceding ones in that it spans many years of the Price girl's lives, rather than focusing on one or two months as the other chapters did.
Orleanna, Leah, Rachel, and Adah flee the village (and Nathan) after witnessing the death of Ruth May. Their journey is a tough one and they almost don't make it. The family separates: Rachel flies away with Mr. Axelroot, Leah stays with Anatole, and Orleana and Adah go back to America. The story continues from the viewpoints of the three remaining children, though they are separated. Leah and Anatole raise a family, and Anatole gets arrested twice. Rachel recieves a hotel in the middle of the Congo (called "The Equatorial") and ends up never marrying, and Adah gets an education and becomes a medical researcher (plus loses her limp).
The main idea of this chapter was change. Starting from the change of location, the three remaining Price girls go through some drastic changes.
Another main idea was the idea of forgiveness. Each of the remaining family members feel guilty in some way for Ruth May's death (well Rachel feels the least guilt). However they all try to recover in different ways (though Orleanna seems to have recovered the least).
We also find out that Nathan died while trying another fruitless attempt to promote Christianity in Kilanga. I think "good riddence" however I cannot help but wonder what was going through Nathan's head as he was burned to death. I wonder if he ever received the realization that Christianity or at least his method of teaching it was not going to work in the Congo, or if he was defiant even in death.
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