Orleanna Price, who asks the reader to imagine a line of women, consisting of a mother and her four daughters, walking through the jungle. They sit down for a picnic with limited food, creating a sense of impending danger and Orleanna's own helplessness and isolation. In this moment, she locks eyes with an okapi, which makes her feel less alone.
Orleanna reflects on the political turmoil of 1960, where powerful men bargained for the Congo's resources and future. She confesses to being present during that time and acknowledges herself as an unreliable narrator. She desires both absolution and avoiding judgment from her daughter Ruth May, whom she fears will consider her guilty for her role in what she calls the "apocalypse." Orleanna describes her husband, a Baptist preacher, as a "conqueror" who brought destruction to the Congo. While she wants to deny any responsibility for the tragedies that occurred, she predicts that Ruth May will accuse her of stealing something from the Congo, similar to the men disputing its political future. The pressing question now is how they can live with their actions.
Orleanna contemplates the nature of humanity and how people often blame others to keep their consciences clear. She, however, paid for her conscience with blood and wishes she could impart her experiences on others. Yet, she realizes that Africa refuses to participate in such a scheme.
She describes how she and her family went to the Congo, believing they would establish their dominion over the "unformed" continent, convinced that Africa's beginning and end rested with them. The only way to truly understand what transpired is by asking her children, as they grew up with the consequences. She concludes that they can only
speak of what they carried with them and what they took away from Africa.
Leah narrates the story and explains that her mother had collected various items in preparation for their one-year stay in the Congo. The items include Betty Crocker cake mix, canned meat, yeast, scissors, a frying pan, medicine, Band-Aids, pencils, a hatchet head, and a folding spade. At the airport, they discover that their luggage exceeds the weight limit by 62 pounds. To keep the items, they wear multiple layers of clothing to carry them onto the plane.
Upon arriving in L?opoldville,Ruth May faints, and Leah notices the unpleasant smell of urine in the airport. Despite this, she remains excited for the adventure ahead. They meet Reverend and Mrs. Underdown, fellow Baptists who were involved in establishing Kilanga. However, the mission has experienced a decline, with other missionary families returning to the United States, and the Underdowns relocating to L?opoldville for their sons' education.
Ruth May shares her understanding of African history, believing that Africans are descendants of Ham and cursed by Noah. Her limited perspective, influenced by her young age, includes distorted ideas such as "Jimmy Crow" making laws and African Americans having a designated day at the zoo based on biblical teachings. She introduces various members of her family and expresses concern that they will be the only white people in Kilanga, worrying that the Africans might eat them.
Rachel finds herself overwhelmed by Africa, both in terms of the absence of luxuries she is accustomed to and the swarm of local
inhabitants who guide her family into a church with a dirt floor. To her surprise, a group of boisterous African women, some of them bare-breasted, burst into song and start preparing a goat stew as a welcoming gesture. A man who speaks English arrives and greets the family, asking Reverend Price to say a blessing for the food. However, Reverend Price's words take a dark turn as he speaks about God's judgment against Egypt and Sodom, linking it to the arrival of sinners who are "heedless in their nakedness" and highlighting the "nakedness and darkness of the soul." The joyous atmosphere quickly turns into fear and unease.
The sisters reluctantly eat the stew, although they do not particularly enjoy the taste of the goat meat. Mrs. Price shocks Rachel by insisting that they must be polite and threatening to "thrash" them if they dare to spit out the stew. This threat is unexpected, as their mother has never laid a hand on any of them before. Rachel realizes that this will be her reality for the next year and laments her fate.
Adah, Leah's twin sister, suffers from hemiplegia, a condition that affects her physically and mentally due to a lack of blood flow in the womb. However, Adah's perspective challenges the assumptionthat she is severely disabled. Despite doctors predicting her inability to speak, Adah deliberately chooses not to speak, finding it advantageous in some way.
Each family member has a different response to Africa. Ruth May makes blunt but accurate observations, Leah sees the surroundings as a fairy tale, Rachel wishes the trip would end, and Adah is determined to make the most of their journey despite her disability.
Leah assists her father in establishing a garden where he plans to grow American plants. She hopes that her dedication to gardening will earn her father's approval, as well as God's favor. During their work, Mama Tataba, a servant who previously worked for the Price family's predecessor, Brother Fowles, appears. Leah once overheard her father
stating that Brother Fowles had gone "plumb crazy" by associating with the local people. Mama Tataba explains to Leah and her father that the tree Reverend Price attempted to remove, a poisonwood tree, is dangerous and that nothing will grow without planting seeds in mounds. However, Reverend Price firmly asserts that he knows best.
The next day, Reverend Price's hands break out in a rash, oozing yellow pus due to his contact with the poisonwood tree. Nevertheless, when he sees that Mama Tataba has created planting mounds, he and Leah destroy them. After a few days, once he has recovered, Reverend Price acknowledges to Leah that Mama Tataba did not intend to ruin their garden and asks them to have patience with her native customs, acknowledging her good intentions even if misguided.
Leah admires her father and explains that people often misunderstand him, perceiving him as stern and intimidating. She believes that his keen judgment and purity of heart make him the one to spot flaws and deliver penance. Leah is certain that one day, when she is "large enough in the Holy Spirit," she will earn her father's approval.
Rachel expresses her dissatisfaction with the cultural norms of the locals in Kilanga. She finds it strange that the women go around topless but insist on covering their legs and do not follow any calendar except for "market day," which occurs every five days.
Reverend Price aims to increase attendance at the church and plans to hold an Easter Sunday celebration on the Fourth of July, as the Kilanga natives have no concept of Christian or Julian calendars.However, he is disappointed when the only attendees are the men he convinced to participate in the play. Rachel casually dismisses their enthusiasm for the play, feeling that they are being overly African about it.
After the service, the family has a picnic. Mrs. Price has fried the remaining chickens they received from Brother Fowles in an effort to improve their relationship with the locals. Despite her efforts, Reverend Price is preoccupied with the fact that his true goal for the day, which was to have an altar call leading to baptisms, has failed completely.
During this time, Nelson, a local boy, gives Ruth May a special object called nkisi, which possesses mystical properties. The nkisi has been in the "magic fire" and is believed to help Ruth May if she is going to die. Instead of causing her death, the nkisi is said to make her vanish momentarily and reappear in a safe place that she has mentally prepared for every day. It is a kind of protective charm. Ruth May places the nkisi under her pillow to keep it safe and close to her.
Adah provides her unique perspective on the situation. Despite her physical disabilities, she was placed in the "gifted" class at school alongside her twin sister, Leah. She finds it puzzling that people are impressed by her ability to perform quick calculations when she considers poetry to be a far more challenging task. When her father, Reverend Price, heard that his daughters were considered gifted, he remained unimpressed. Adah often quotes him as saying that providing a girl with a college education is like putting water in your shoes, as it is difficult to determinewhich is worse: watching the water run out and go to waste or seeing it stay trapped and ruin the shoes.
Adah prefers the spelling "Ada" for her name because it is a palindrome. She reads a wide range of books, many of which her father would disapprove of. Only her mother is aware of her reading habits. Adah's ability to become fully absorbed in a book helps her adapt to life in the Congo, while others struggle more. She enjoys reading books both forward and backward to gain new knowledge, and she frequently writes palindromes and sentences that can be read backward.
A storm destroys the garden, and eventually, the reverend replants the crops in mounds, just as Mama Tataba had advised him. However, he pretends it was his own idea. Adah sees this adjustment as proof that Africa has influenced him, whether he likes it or not.
In reality, it was their mother, Orleanna Price, who had repeatedly used the word, expressing her frustration over her failed attempts to make a decent cake for Rachel's birthday using a Betty Crocker mix and a primitive oven that barely resembled a stove. Leah explains that they
could never expose their mother, as there are rare occasions when they must protect her from their father. She recalls as a young child, embracing her mother's legs when their father would berate her with hurtful words for the supposed sins of womanhood.
Reverend Price, unaware that his wife had already adopted a different approach, decidesto provide food to attract the locals to church. He instructs the men to fish with dynamite, resulting in a massive number of dead fish that far exceeds what can be consumed. His poorly planned gesture leads to the overwhelming stench of rotting fish. Adah reflects on her father's sermons about judgment against the so-called "sins" of biblical women and questions whether the translator bothers to translate them into Kikongo, the local language.
Leah has a quiet moment with her father, who appears defeated by the garden's failure to thrive in the African soil. He attributes the lack of success to a shortage of appropriate pollinators and suggests that sometimes God delivers the righteous "through" hardships rather than rescuing them from those hardships. Leah is disappointed that their hard work may go to waste.
Mama Tataba surprises the family by shouting at Reverend Price and storming out, declaring that she will no longer stay with them. Later, Reverend Price explains that Mama Tataba had informed him that the locals opposed the idea of baptism because a little girl had been killed and eaten by a crocodile in the river the previous year. Consequently, they never let their children near the river. The reverend is momentarily taken aback by this information but quickly regains his composure, expressing his confusion as to why it took six months for someone to inform him of such a simple fact. He tells Methuselah, the parrot, that he is "free to go" and physically throws him out of the house.
Orleanna reflects on the lingering scent of Africa, which haunts her and serves as a constant reminder of her failures. She acknowledges that she could never truly assimilate into Africanculture as long as she remained married to her controlling husband.
She describes the challenges she faced after Mama Tataba's departure. Her family was oblivious to the amount of labor that went into every unremarkable meal, and they remained unaware of her depression, which often led her to contemplate suicide near the crocodile-infested river.
Orleanna recounts the escalating tensions between her husband and Chief Tata Ndu, resulting in the Kilanga natives boycotting church. Reverend Price attempted to negotiate by suggesting a sprinkle-style baptism instead of full immersion in the river. This compromise was well-received, but the chief insisted that the reverend not enforce monogamous marriages, which he found disgraceful. Unfortunately, Reverend Price interpreted this unsuccessful negotiation as a test from God, similar to the biblical story of Job, and became more resolute in his beliefs. Orleanna tried to distance Leah from him whenever possible, as she sought his approval desperately.
She hints at her own blindness to the impending disaster, comparing herself to Lot's wife who was blinded by looking back. She reflects on her mistakes and the impending turmoil that loomed over them like an imminent river.
Leah continues to yearn for her father's attention and approval. She eagerly learns the local language, Kikongo, primarily from her friend Pascal. She finds it peculiar that Pascal's sisters are already engaged in more productive activities while he still has time to play. While Leah considers the Congo a paradise, she recognizes that her family often feels out of place.
As she turns 15 years old, Leah becomes more introspective. She realizes that life is not always as clear-cut as it seems, and the right solutions are not always obvious. She recalls her father telling her to pray for a man with two wives, but she struggles to determine what she
should pray for since abandoning either wife seems unjust. She also contemplates the fact that Congolese girls of her age are often married with children, already carrying the weight of adulthood in their eyes. She questions whether the concept of childhood truly exists for those who are not privileged white Americans.
Ruth May observes the groups of boy soldiers known as the Jeune Mou-Pro, identifiable by their red hats. Her mother instructs her to run inside whenever she sees them, but she defies her mother's ordersand climbs trees to watch them. One day, she falls from a tree and breaks her arm. A few days later, Mr. Axelroot sobers up long enough to fly them to the city for Ruth May to receive medical attention. Ruth May notices diamonds in Mr. Axelroot's bag of food, but she keeps this secret to herself as he warned her that revealing it would result in her mother falling sick and dying.
The doctor puts Ruth May's arm in a cast, but he angers Reverend Price by asserting that the rebels have valid reasons to be unhappy with white people. Reverend Price insists that American aid will be the Congo's salvation. The doctor challenges him, questioning what kind of "civilization" the Belgians brought to the Congo. Reverend Price responds by mentioning roads and railways, to which the doctor counters that the Belgians did not utilize either of those means of transportation to arrive in Stanleyville. The doctor suggests that the Congolese people are seeking a different kindChapter: The Revelation; Orleanna Price, Sanderling Island, Georgia
Orleanna reflects on the lingering scent of Africa that continues to haunt her, serving as a constant reminder of her failures and carrying an accusatory undertone. She comes to terms with the fact that as long as she remains married to her controlling husband, she can never truly be considered "one of them" in Africa.
She describes the difficulties she faced after Mama Tataba's departure, with her family oblivious to the labor involved in preparing each meal and unaware of her deep depression, which often drove her to contemplate suicide by the crocodile-infested river.
Orleanna recalls the escalating tensions between her husband and
Chief Tata Ndu, resulting in the Kilanga natives boycotting church. Reverend Price attempted to negotiate by suggesting a sprinkle-style baptism instead of full immersion in the river, which was met with some approval. However, the chief insisted that the reverend should not impose monogamous marriages, deeming it shameful. This negotiation failure only strengthened Reverend Price's resolve, as he saw it as a test from God, akin to the biblical story of Job. Orleanna tried to distance Leah from him whenever possible, as she desperately sought her father's approval.
She hints at her own blindness to the impending catastrophe, comparing herself to Lot's wife, who was blinded by looking back. Reflecting on her mistakes, she contemplates how the Congo, like a river, was preparing to overwhelm them.
Leah continues to yearn for her father's attention and approval. She eagerly learns Kikongo, the local language, primarily from her friend Pascal. She finds it peculiar that Pascal's sisters engage in more productive activities while he still has time to play. Despite considering the Congo a paradise, Leah acknowledges the constant feeling of displacement experienced by her family.
Ruth May observes the presence of boy soldiers known as the Jeune Mou-Pro, identifiable by their red hats. Despite her mother's instructions to run inside whenever she sees them, Ruth May defies these orders and climbs trees to observe them. During one of these instances, she falls and breaks her arm. A few days later, Mr. Axelroot sobers up momentarily and flies them to the city for Ruth May's medical treatment. Ruth May notices diamonds in Mr. Axelroot's bag of food but keeps this secret, fearing that if she reveals it, her mother will fall ill and die as Mr. Axelroot warned.
The doctor places Ruth May's arm in a cast, but he sparks the ire of Reverend Price by asserting that the rebels have legitimate reasons to
be unhappy with white people. Reverend Price staunchly believes that American aid will be the Congo's salvation. The doctor challenges his perspective, questioning the kind of "civilization" the Belgians brought to the Congo. Reverend Price cites roads and railways, but the doctor counters by noting that the Belgians did not use those means of transportation to arrive in Stanleyville. The doctor suggests that the CongChapter: The Revelation; Orleanna Price, Sanderling Island, Georgia
Orleanna reflects on the lingering scent of Africa that continues to haunt her, serving as a constant reminder of her failures and carrying an accusatory undertone. She comes to terms with the factthat as long as she remains married to her controlling husband, she can never truly be considered "one of them" in Africa.
She describes the difficulties she faced after Mama Tataba's departure, with her family oblivious to the labor involved in preparing each meal and unaware of her deep depression, which often drove her to contemplate suicide by the crocodile-infested river.
Orleanna recalls the escalating tensions between her husband and Chief Tata Ndu, resulting in the Kilanga natives boycotting church. Reverend Price attempted to negotiate by suggesting a sprinkle-style baptism instead of full immersion in the river, which was met with some approval. However, the chief insisted that the reverend should not impose monogamous marriages, deeming it shameful. This negotiation failure only strengthened Reverend Price's resolve, as he saw it as a test from God, akin to the biblical story of Job. Orleanna tried to distance Leah from him whenever possible, as she desperately sought her father's approval.
She hints at her own blindness to the impending catastrophe, comparing herself to Lot's wife, who was blinded by looking back. Reflecting on her mistakes, she contemplates how the Congo, like a river, was preparing to overwhelm them.
Now 15 years old, Leah becomes more introspective. She realizes that life is not always black and white, and there isn't always a clear-cut solution. She ponders her father's instruction to pray for a man with two wives but struggles to determine what she should pray for, as
abandoning either wife feels unjust. Leah also contemplates the early marriages and motherhood of Congolese girls her age, acknowledging their premature transition into adulthood with eyes that appear to have witnessed much. She questions whether childhood truly exists for those who are not privileged white Americans.
Ruth May observes the presence of boy soldiers known as the Jeune Mou-Pro, identifiable by their red hats. Despite her mother's instructions to run inside whenever she sees them, Ruth May defies these orders and climbs treesto observe them. During one of these instances, she falls and breaks her arm. A few days later, Mr. Axelroot sobers up momentarily and flies them to the city for Ruth May's medical treatment. Ruth May notices diamonds in Mr. Axelroot's bag of food but keeps this secret, fearing that if she reveals it, her mother will fall ill and die as Mr. Axelroot warned.
The doctor places Ruth May's arm in a cast, but he sparks the ire of Reverend Price by asserting that the rebels have legitimate reasons to be unhappy with white people. Reverend Price staunchly believes that American aid will be the Congo's salvation. The doctor challenges his perspective, questioning the kind of "civilization" the Belgians brought to the Congo. Reverend Price cites roads and railways, but the doctor counters by noting that the Belgians did not use those means of transportation to arrive in Stanleyville. The doctor suggests that the CongChapter: The Revelation; Orleanna Price, Sanderling Island, Georgia
Orleanna reflects on the lingering scent of Africa that continues to haunt her, serving as a constant reminder of her failures and carrying an accusatory undertone. She comes to terms with the fact that as long as she remains married to her controlling husband, she can never truly be considered "one of them" in Africa.
She describes the difficulties she faced after Mama Tataba's departure, with her family oblivious to the labor involved in preparing each meal and unaware of her deep depression, which often drove her to contemplate suicide by the crocodile-infested river.
Orleanna recalls the escalating tensions between her husband and Chief Tata Ndu, resulting in the Kilanga natives boycotting church.
Reverend Price attempted to negotiate by suggesting a sprinkle-style baptism instead of full immersion in the river, which was met with some approval. However, the chief insisted that the reverend should not impose monogamous marriages, deeming it shameful. This negotiation failure only strengthened Reverend Price's resolve, as he saw it as a test from God, akin to the biblical story of Job. Orleanna tried to distance Leah from him whenever possible, as she desperately sought her father's approval.
She hints at her own blindness to the impending catastrophe, comparing herself to Lot's wife, who was blinded by looking back. Reflecting on her mistakes, she contemplates how the Congo, like a river, was preparing to overwhelm them.
Leah continues to yearnfor her father's attention and approval. She eagerly learns Kikongo, the local language, primarily from her friend Pascal. She finds it peculiar that Pascal's sisters engage in more productive activities while he still has time to play. Despite considering the Congo a paradise, Leah acknowledges the constant feeling of displacement experienced by her family.
Now 15 years old, Leah becomes more introspective. She realizes that life is not always black and white, and there isn't always a clear-cut solution. She ponders her father's instruction to pray for a man with two wives but struggles to determine what she should pray for, as abandoning either wife feels unjust. Leah also contemplates the early marriages and motherhood of Congolese girls her age, acknowledging their premature transition into adulthood with eyes that appear to have witnessed much. She questions whether childhood truly exists for those who are not privileged white Americans.
Ruth May observes the presence of boy soldiers known as the Jeune Mou-Pro, identifiable by their red hats. Despite her mother's instructions to run inside whenever she sees them, Ruth May defies these orders and
climbs trees to observe them. During one of these instances, she falls and breaks her arm. A few days later, Mr. Axelroot sobers up momentarily and flies them to the city for Ruth May's medical treatment. Ruth May notices diamonds in Mr. Axelroot's bag of food but keeps this secret, fearing that if she reveals it, her mother will fall ill and die as Mr. Axelroot warned.
The doctor places Ruth May's arm in a cast, but he sparks the ire of Reverend Price by asserting that the rebels have legitimate reasons to be unhappy with white people. Reverend Price staunchly believes that American aid will be the Congo's salvation. The doctor challenges his perspective, questioning the kind of "civilization" the Belgians brought to the Congo. Reverend Price cites roads and railways, but the doctor counters by noting that the Belgians did not use those means of transportation to arrive in Stanleyville. The doctor suggests that the CongI apologize for the incomplete response. Here's the remaining part of the rewrite:
The doctor suggests that the Congolese people are seeking a different kind of salvation embodied by Patrice Lumumba, who represents the new soul of Africa. This conversation challenges Reverend Price's perspective and highlights the complexities of the situation in theCongo.
Ruth May, despite her young age, witnesses the presence of boy soldiers known as the Jeune Mou-Pro, identifiable by their red hats. Her mother warns her to run inside whenever she spots them, but Ruth May defies these instructions and climbs trees to observe them. Unfortunately, her daring act leads to a fall and a broken arm. Mr. Axelroot eventually sobers up and flies them to the city for Ruth May's medical treatment. During this journey, Ruth May notices diamonds in Mr. Axelroot's bag of food but keeps this secret to herself, fearing the consequences if she reveals it.
At the city hospital, the doctor treating Ruth May incurs the anger of Reverend Price by challenging his perspective on the Congolese rebels' discontent. The doctor asserts that the rebels have valid reasons to be unhappy with white people, prompting a heated exchange. Reverend Price staunchly believes that American aid will be the salvation of the Congo, citing roads and railways as signs of progress brought by the Belgians. However, the doctor counters by highlighting the exploitative nature of the Belgian presence and suggesting that the Congolese people seek a different kind of salvation represented by Patrice
Lumumba, who embodies the new spirit of Africa.
These encounters challenge the Price family's perceptions and raise questions about the impact of colonization and the true desires of the Congolese people.
Rachel is intrigued when Anatole, the 24-year-old school teacher, joins them for dinner. She reflects on his background, working in a rubber plantation and a diamond mine, and contemplates the disconnect between the glamorous portrayal of actresses wearing diamonds in movies and the harsh reality of those who extract the diamonds from the earth. Unsettled by these thoughts, she decides to push them aside and not dwell on the subject.
To the shock of the Price family, Chief Tata Ndu arrives to inform them that Adah has been killed by a lion. According to the evidence, they found her tracks, lion tracks, and signs of a kill in the form of blood. Tata Ndu seems proud, viewing this as proof that the local gods do not appreciate the presence of the Price family. Reverend Price calmly suggests they pray. Suddenly, Adah rises from the hammock and reveals herself. Disappointed at being proven wrong, Tata Ndu bids them farewell with a simple "mbote"(goodbye).
Anatole arranges for his star pupil, 12-year-old Nelson(also known as Lekuyu), to assist the Price family in exchange for eggs to sell at the market and permission to sleep in the chicken house. Leah appreciates Anatole's gesture and realizes that Nelson, despite his intelligence, is confined by his circumstances, much like women are restricted. Due to being a Congolese native, the Belgians prevent him from pursuing higher education to suppress independent thinking.
After Ruth May's broken arm and Adah's encounter with the lion, Orleanna strives to keep her children indoors as much as possible. However, Leah contracts malaria due to underestimating the proper dosage of quinine for her size and level of activity. Leah resents being confined, particularly because it hinders her ability to continue observing Mr. Axelroot. The last time she and Adah saw him, he made a threatening statement over the radio, piquing their curiosity.
The church gains popularity after the Prices credit Adah's survival to Jesus. Leah harbors resentment when her father publicly embraces Adah, proudly showcasing her as proof of their religion's validity. Orleanna insists that the older girls start embroidery projects for their future hope chests, creating items for their eventual marriages. Rachel takes to the task effortlessly, but Leah finds it more challenging. She contemplates whether she will ever marry, as boys in Georgia had shown little interest in her despite her academic advancement. While she acknowledges her father's belief that women should marry instead of pursuing higher education,she still believes that collegecould provide valuable knowledge to teach others and potentially attract a suitable husband.
Ruth May learns from Nelson about the local beliefs and superstitions, including the practice of calling snakes "strings" after dark to prevent them from responding to their names. However, superstitions become problematic when Leah adopts a baby owl as a pet. The locals are enraged because owls are believed to consume souls, and there have been recent deaths due to illness. They fear that the baby owl will devour the souls of babies. Reverend Price dismisses this superstition, but Leah proudly brings the owl back inside, claiming her father supported her. In response, the reverend beats Leah, leaving a prominent bruise on her neck and forcing her to write The Verse as punishment for her pride. After completing her verses, Leah leaves the house, but her father insists that everyone should sleep and not give her any attention. Nonetheless, the women wait anxiously for Leah's safe return.
The Underdowns visit and inform the Price family that the Congo will soon become an independent country, leading to a political upheaval. Many white individuals, including the Underdowns, are leaving the country due to the unstable situation. Orleanna, in an uncharacteristic display of emotion, expresses frustration at having been allowed to bring her family to such a dangerous environment. The Underdowns clarify that the Price family was not sanctioned by the Mission League and that their stipend, given as a kind gesture, will no longer be provided. Orleanna is shocked by this revelation and passionately declares that she did not relocate to this "moldy corner of hell" for a mere fifty dollars per month.
Reverend Price adamantly believes that an uneducated population lacking reliable transportation and communication cannot establish a functioning independent country. Orleanna desires to leave with her daughters, but the reverend dares her to voice her intentions aloud. He insists that they will fulfill their contract and wait for relief to arrive in June, only leaving once they have assisted the new family in settling. The Underdowns explain that relief may not come for years, if at all. However, Reverend Price remains unperturbed, claiming that he has accomplished miracles without assistance. He declares that they will wait for whatever relief God chooses to send. Rachel's hopes of returning home are shattered asshe realizes that her father would rather watch them perish than listen to anyone but himself.
Adah contemplates her future aspirations, hoping to become a doctor-poet if she survives to adulthood. She recalls the moment she became an atheist, questioning the morality of a system that determines access to heaven based on proximity to a preacher. Adah also explains the local gods' influence on where people should wash, bathe, drink, and defecate. Drinking should happen upstream of bathing and washing, while defecation should occur far away from the river. She acknowledges that the Price family did not comprehend this system or the hygienic
rationale behind it. Nelson attributes the recent rains, which have caused diarrheal diseases and claimed the lives of many children, to the Price family's transgressions against the local gods.
Anatole educates the villagers about the voting process for the new independent government of the Congo. Adah reflects on the ridiculous newspaper article brought by the Underdowns, analyzing its purpose to convince Americans that the Congolese are savage cannibals, easily manipulated by Krushchev to harbor animosity towards innocent Americans and Belgians. Adah scoffs at the notion that the Congolese need assistancefrom the Americans to hate them, as they already bear the burden of forced labor in rubber plantations and diamond mines, while the whites live in luxury. She also ponders the linguistic nuances of Kikongo words, realizing that their untrained ears will never fully grasp the differences in meaning.
Reverend Price is annoyed when he receives a letter from the Underdowns, informing the family to prepare for their departure to L?opoldville on June 28 via a special Mission plane. The Underdowns have arranged for the Price family to accompany them to Belgium shortly after their arrival. Despite Orleanna's pleas, emphasizing the danger they would be exposing themselves to, the reverend remains resolute in his decision to stay in Kilanga.
Reverend Price travels to Stanleyville to acquire quinine pills and gain information about the new government of the Republic of Congo. He reports back that Patrice Lumumba has been elected Prime Minister, but establishing a functional government proves challenging due to tribal affiliations and conflicts. Rachel daydreams about returning to America, where people's concerns revolve around sockhops and drinking Coke. She yearns to go home and rid herself of the deep-seated impurities of the Congo.
Ruth May reveals that her father and Leah have boarded the chartered
plane sent by the Mission to bring the Price family back. They didn't bring any belongings with them because they plan to return, defying the instructions to leave. Rachel throws a tantrum after being denied permission to board the plane with her belongings. Orleanna withdraws to her bed, and Ruth May eventually joins her.
Leah and Reverend Price meet with the Underdowns, who express shock at the family being left behind and the reverend's refusal to leave. Leah staunchly supports her father, firmly believing that he knows what is best. She witnesses Prime Minister Lumumba assume office and is captivated by his charismatic presence. While Mrs. Underdown feels uneasy during Lumumba's speech, which highlights the crimes of colonialism and the stark disparity between the lives of the Congolese and the white settlers, Leah is struck by the accuracy of his account.
Adah discovers a red feather near the latrine, interpreting it as a symbol of celebration for the new Independence Day. She follows the trail of feathers, contemplating whether the locals, whose lives appear unchanged, even realize that it is Independence Day. Eventually, she finds the source of the feathers - the lifeless body of Methuselah, the parrot. Adah reflects on the irony that after a lifetime confined and deprived of both flight and truth, freedom finally comes in the form of death.
Orleanna reflects on her life and marriage, drawing parallels between the hardships of the Great Depression and their time in Kilanga. She reveals that Nathan became violent after his experiences in the
Philippines during the war, where he witnessed the death of his fellow soldiers. The survivor's guilt consumed him, leading to his anger and resentment towards Orleanna and their children. Nathan's rigid worldview and belief in their unworthiness intensified his abusive behavior. Orleanna describes how she lost her sense of self and safety, believing that Nathan's will was synonymous with God's. She likens her situation to the plight of the Congo, deceived by false promises and left devastated.
Leah and Reverend Price return to Kilanga without any money after being cut off from theMission's stipends. They had to bribe Mr. Axelroot for their flight back. The villagers are shocked and confused to learn that the white family is now impoverished. With hindsight, Leah reflects on the warm welcome feast the villagers had given them upon their arrival, realizing its overwhelming generosity.
At home, Orleanna and Ruth May rarely leave their beds. Nelson informs Leah that they have been cursed, but she dismisses the idea, asserting that as Christians, they do not believe in curses. Nelson cites the story of Job as an example of God testing their faith. Leah insists it was a test, while Nelson argues that God is testing the faith of her mother and sister. Leah counters that they do not pay for such things, expressing disbelief in a Kikongo word. Nelson responds by saying that the gods they don't pay are the ones that can curse them the most.
Adah contemplates the Kikongo concept of nommo, which represents the life force that defines the essence of beings. She applies this concept to her own existence as a twin, realizing that her life took a different path because she was named Adah, while Leah had her own distinct life because of her name. Adah shocks Nelson when she reveals that she is Leah's twin, as in Kilanga, twins are often abandoned in the forest to appease the gods. Adah also observes the dynamics within the church community, noting that families who lost children to the
diarrhea-inducing disease have returned to ancestor worship, while those who lost their children while worshipping ancestors have turned to Christianity. Reverend Price remains oblivious to these nuances, convinced of his progress in conversion. Adah also highlights the reverend's frequent mispronunciation of Kikongo words, unknowingly using a word that means "to terrify" instead of "baptism."
Ruth May shares that she and her mother are exhausted after Leah and the reverend leave. They both lie in bed and express their hope that her father will not come back, leading to tears. However, Ruth May still hopes for Leah's return. She believes that her father is loved the most by God and them because he is a preacher. In her dream, she envisions climbing an alligator tree and gaining a perspective where she can see everything her mother thinks, similar to howJesus sees.
Reverend Price disregards the illness of his youngest daughter and wife. Despite their whispered arguments late at night, he insists that Orleanna will respond to the Lord's call and get up soon. With their mother and Ruth May unwell, he expects Rachel, Leah, and Adah to take care of the family's needs. When they fail to do so, the reverend beats them. This experience makes them realize the immense labor their mother put into feeding the family. Adah reflects on this change, recognizing that their childhood has abruptly ended without anyone else noticing except themselves. Rachel assumes authority as the eldest, but her position is met with mockery from Adah and Leah, who haven't respected her as an elder since they beat her in a school spelling bee.
Leah takes Ruth May outside to uplift her spirits. Anatole arrives with news and playfully offers her a rabbit in a sack as a gift. Leah
reevaluates her perception of Anatole, realizing that she likes him more than she initially thought. He informs her that Katanga, the province rich in diamonds, has seceded from the Republic of Congo, leading Prime Minister Lumumba to request help from the United Nations. During their conversation, Leah decides to deviate from her father's behavior by admitting when she doesn't know things and acknowledging the challenges their family faces. While she still tries to side with her father in disagreements, she also admits the possibility that she was foolish to believe his claim that America would send aid to address the slums in the Congo, especially when slums still exist in Georgia. Leah worries about the potential loss of her mother and Ruth May, and she recognizes the end of her childhood as she plans to skin the rabbit since no one else will.
In her illness, Ruth May experiences dreams and hallucinations. She overhears her parents arguing, with her mother pleading to be able to leave. Ruth May mentions the violence inflicted on white people in Stanleyville, including missionaries being robbed, stripped, and even killed. She recalls Rachel speaking up in favor of leaving and being struck to the floor as a result.
Nelson gives Ruth May a mystical object called nkisi, which has been in the "magic fire" andis believed to help her if she is going to die. Instead of dying, the nkisi will make her temporarily disappear and reappear somewhere safe that she has envisioned daily in preparation. Ruth May keeps it under her pillow for safekeeping.
While Ruth May remains sick, Orleanna starts to recover and expresses her determination to leave the Congo as soon as she can find a way, despite the reverend's disapproval. Mr. Axelroot is not yet willing to fly a plane of white women in the current unrest, but Leah believes her mother is willing to pay whatever price he demands. Witnessing her mother challenge her father's authority frightens Leah, and it raises
doubts in her own mind about her father's infallibility as a servant of God. This uncertainty leaves her feeling vulnerable in the daunting Congo.
Rachel vividly describes the overwhelming shock and horror she experiences upon witnessing her younger sister's death. In the immediate aftermath, she, like the others, feels paralyzed and unable to process the tragic event. The weight of the irreversible loss hangs heavy on them all. Rachel reflects on the shared irrational belief they had - that if they don't inform their parents about her sister's death, somehow everything will remain unchanged, as if they could defy the inevitable curse that seems to loom over them.
However, reality sets in, and Rachel realizes that there is no escape from this moment. The tragic event has forever altered their lives, leaving an indelible mark on her own existence. She acknowledges that there is no way to return to the person she once was, living a carefree life in Georgia, and pretend that this tragedy never happened. The course of their lives has been irrevocably changed, and the weight of this realization bears heavily on Rachel's heart.
Tata Ndu arrives and brings gifts, which Reverend Price interprets as a proper return of his Christian charity. However, Nelson reveals that Tata Ndu is attempting to buy Rachel ashis seventh wife, believing her presence will uplift his other wives. Tata Ndu hopes Reverend Price will be glad to receive goats in exchange since he no longer has money and his daughters have become thin due to lack of food.
Leah contemplates the delicate political situation surrounding Tata Ndu's offer to buy Rachel. The family agrees that the idea is absurd, but
as the village chief, Tata Ndu cannot be ignored or mistreated. Ruth May's condition continues to worsen, and while moving her bed, they discover 61 quinine pills behind it, indicating that she never took them to prevent malaria during their time in Kilanga.
To resolve the situation with Tata Ndu, the family pretends that Rachel is already engaged to Mr. Axelroot. When Mr. Axelroot puts his arm around Rachel, she slaps him, to her surprise, he laughs. Rachel attempts to persuade him to fly them out of Kilanga by offering her mother's wedding ring and a thousand dollars once they reach the United States. However, Mr. Axelroot insists on cash in advance. Rachel engages in conversation with him, hoping to convince him, but she remains skeptical ofhis claims of being a "flying fighter" with connections to the CIA. Rachel does not believe him.
Ruth May continues to experience hallucinations and hears Tata Ndu trying to convince the Price family that Rachel should undergo circumcision, which she mishears as "circus mission." Orleanna and the reverend argue about whether to take Ruth May to the doctor or rely on their faith in the Lord. Orleanna is unhappy with the plan to pretend Rachel is engaged to Mr. Axelroot, but the reverend insists that "white people have to stick together now" and that Axelroot is a better option than Tata Ndu. Ruth May recalls Mr. Axelroot beating her and threatening her not to disclose information about diamonds. She believes that her illness is punishment for her wrongdoings.
Rachel feels frustrated that no one remembers her seventeenth birthday. Eventually, her mother remembers after her hints and gives Rachel her own earrings and bracelet. Rachel appreciates her mother's
effort and is pleased with the jewelry, but she is disappointed that there are no other celebrations. She reveals that Anatolehas asked Leah to teach mathematics to the young children at the school.
Reverend Price tries to use more Kikongo words but fails to do so correctly, repeatedly saying "Tata Jesus is b?ngala!" which he believes means "Jesus is precious" but actually means "Jesus is poisonwood." Ruth May recovers from her illness. Leah teaches arithmetic to Anatole's young students and learns French and Kikongo from him. Anatole gives Leah a bow and quiver of red-feathered arrows, which she quickly becomes skilled with. The residents of Kilanga disapprove of Leah hunting, considering it a man's job. Adah is frustrated that Leah refuses to acknowledge the locals' disapproval, believing that since Anatole gave her the bow and arrows, she is not violating any norms.
Leah enjoys spending time with Anatole, whom she is attracted to, but she worries that he sees her as a child rather than an equal. She admits that her father's attempts at evangelism are futile, comparing it to trying to put rubber tires on a horse. Anatole refuses to explain the meaning of "B?ene-b?ene," his name for Leah. They discuss her teaching endeavors, her father's work, and the broader world. Anatole translates her father's sermons as part of his teaching role, ensuring that people have the information to make informed decisions. Although he doesn't fully believe her claims about grocery stores and widespread car ownership in Georgia, he becomes intrigued by the idea of a globe and agrees to let Leah make one for him. She is pleased that he sees her as an adult in that moment. Eventually, Anatole reveals that "B?ene-b?ene" means "as true as the truth can be."
Axelroot arrives to pick up Rachel for their fake date. He offers her cigarettes, and she finds his Bogart-like gesture of lighting a cigarette and putting it to her lips oddly charming. She realizes it's strange for him to have access to cigarettes given the current circumstances. He also steals her first kiss, leaving her with mixed feelings. On one hand, she thinks he's creepy, but on the other hand, she enjoys the attention and feeling more grown up. Axelroot tells her that Prime Minister Lumumba is about to be assassinated, claiming to haveheard it on his radio that America was paying amillion dollars to incite an uprising. Rachel believes he is fabricating the story to impress her and gain more affection.
Adah continues to spy on Mr. Axelroot and is surprised to witness another plane arriving and a man named W. I. Rogue meeting secretly in Mr. Axelroot's house. They have a conversation over the radio discussing the imminent death of Patrice Lumumba, referring to him as "as good as dead." They also mention "the president" and talk about "Joe from Paris" bringing a poison to make Lumumba's death appear as a result of a Congolese disease. Mr. Axelroot expresses frustration about not being in control despite his years of experience in Africa.
At night, driver ants, known as nsongonya, swarm the village while everyone is asleep. Leah finds herself in the midst of the burning flood of ants, along with everyone else who is running out of their houses to escape. Anatole appears and asks about Leah's family. Half-asleep, Leah realizes that Adah and Ruth May won't be able to escape on their own. Anatole touches her hand and assures her that he will find them. He instructs Leah to stay where she is until he returns.
Amid the chaos caused by the ants, Rachel grabs her mirror, her most
treasured possession, as people rush towards the boats. She is swept away by the crowd but remembers a strategy from a book that helps her avoid being trampled. She tries to get into her neighbor's boat to escape the ants, but they throw her back onto the riverbank, causing her mirror to break.
In her illness, Ruth May experiences vivid dreams and hallucinations. She overhears her parents arguing, and her mother desperately pleads to leave their current location. Ruth May recalls the dangerous situations in Stanleyville, where even missionaries have been robbed, stripped, and killed. She particularly remembers the time she had her arm set in a cast there. Amidst the discussion, Rachel also speaks up, expressing her desire to leave, but she is violently struck down to the floor.
During this time, Nelson, a local boy, gives Ruth May a special object called nkisi, which possesses mystical properties. The nkisi has been in the "magic fire" and is believed to help Ruth May if she is going to die. Instead of causing her death, the nkisi is said to make her vanish momentarily and reappear in a safe place that she has mentally prepared for every day. It is a kind of protective charm. Ruth May places the nkisi under her pillow to keep it safe and close to her.
Adah wakes up to the panic caused by the ants. Her mother mentions that their father is not nearby, but Adah had hoped he would carry her. She is already carrying Ruth May.Adah pleads with her mother, resulting in a nod and a hurried "come on" thrown over her mother's shoulder. However, Adah struggles to keep up with her mother in the crowded chaos and ends up being trampled on. Her mother decides to protect Ruth May instead of Adah. Anatole comes to Adah's rescue and helps her get into a boat with her mother. Adah reflects on this moment as the halfway point of her life and believes that she is now descending towards death.
Anatole returns, carrying Ruth May on his shoulder, and pulls Leah into a boat. He assures her that all of her family members, including Adah, are safe. Leah ponders whether God caused the ants to attack. Anatole offers an alternative perspective, explaining that the ants are simply trying to solve their problems the best way they know how, and biting is their only defense mechanism. Leah sees a connection between Anatole's defense of the ants and his revolutionary and anti-white views. She suggests that he is a revolutionary like the Jeune Mou Pro and that he supports what they are doing to the white people. Anatole argues that the situation is more complex than that and that it is not the appropriate moment to discuss such matters. Leah informs him about Adah overhearing plans to kill Prime Minister Lumumba, but Anatole does not react strongly and insists that this is not the time for such conversations.
Leah reflects on the various factors that contributed to the intense confrontation between her father and Tata Ndu, including the drought, hunger, ant infestations, and recent elections. Tata Ndu interrupts Reverend Price's sermon on Bel and the Serpent, a story from the apocrypha, where Daniel exposes the priests of Bel for consuming the offerings. Tata Ndu calls for a vote to determine if Kilanga will accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Reverend Price becomes agitated and rants, causing Leah to question why she had ever desired to be close to him. She prays that he will never lay a hand on her again. Tata Ndu explains that the way things are done in America differs from the customs in the Congo, emphasizing that if they believe in the goodness of elections, they should accept the results. In the Price family, only Ruth May votes for Jesus, while the others abstain. Jesus loses the vote, with eleven in favor and fifty-six against.
Instead of following their tradition of prolonged discussion until a consensus is reached, the villagers decide to settle the matter through a vote.Anatole opposes voting, expressing concerns that even if Kilanga drives one white family away, there are millions more around the world. He believes it is crucial to distinguish between good and bad rats; otherwise, they will end up living with both in their homes. The younger generations align with Anatole, who had been their teacher. Eventually, the vote approves Leah as a hunter, although not everyone is truly satisfied. Tata Kuvudundu vehemently opposes the decision, warning that the animals will observe their actions and that no one will sleep that night.
Upon returning home, Reverend Price demands to know who is the master of their house. Leah startles everyone by asserting that he is. He argues that the vote may matter to the village, but not to her, as God has ordered her to submit to his will as the master of the household. He declares that she is forbidden to hunt. Leah questions if he is aligning himself with the chief and the witch doctor, to which he claims they agree with him. Despite his opposition, Leah takes her bow and boldly declares that she will hunt regardless of his opinion. Reverend Price becomes furious and prepares to beat Leah with his belt, but she escapes into the jungle. Unable to find her, he pretends that was his plan all along and begins beating the trees. The remaining women in the family barricade the children's room door and arm themselves with kitchen knives for protection.
Adah finds solace in the fact that in the Congo, unlike in America, she can truly be herself - a combination of her disabled body and her strong will. She also reflects on the hunt in great detail, realizing that animals kill to survive, and humans are subject to the same laws of nature.
During the hunt, Leah successfully kills a yearling impala with her arrow. However, Tata Ndu's eldest son, Gbenye, attempts to claim the kill as his own. He belittles Leah, questioning how a "woman's arrow" could
have accomplished such a feat. Nelson intervenes, pointing out that Leah's arrow struck the impala's neck, causing the fatal injury. Nelson taunts Gbenye by questioning his own aim, referring to him as "nkento." Instead of retaliating against Nelson, Gbenye directs his anger at Leah, visibly irritated. He orders her to skin the impala and bring the meat back to the village. Leah feels a mixture of gratitude and sadness, torn by Nelson's choice of insult, which essentially labels her as a "woman."
Rachel is deeply disturbed by the hunt. She despises the ash and soot that coats her and is repulsed by the sight of innocent animals being driven out of the jungle by fire and killed. Witnessing Leah and Nelson skinning the impala is too much for her, evoking memories of the dog they had back in Georgia. Rachel hurriedly returns home, burns her clothes, and takes a scalding hot bath, crying. She swears that she will not consume any of the animals hunted that day. She bemoans her circumstances, longing to be provided for by a caring person who buys meat from the grocery store, as she believes it was intended by a higher power. Rachel reaches a similar realization to Adah's about humans being animals, but her perspective carries more despair, referring to them as "poor dumb animals running for their lives."
Leah reflects on the aftermath of the hunt, describing itas the most terrible day of their lives. Instead of a celebration, fighting breaks out among those who supported Leah and those who opposed her. Tata Ndu, who should have given her the entire impala she had killed, throws only the hindquarter at her. In defiance, Leah hurls it at Gbenye, provoking anger from Tata Ndu. He accuses Leah, referring to her as "Tata Price," of refusing her family's share of meat. He then insults Anatole by calling him "the orphan without descendants" and tells him that the hindquarter will suffice. Chaos ensues as every adult tries to claim their portion of the meat. Tata Kuvudundu reiterates his prophecy that the animals are rising against them, and this belief permeates the villagers as they feel hunted themselves.
Upon the family's return from the hunt, Rachel plans to announce her decision to become a vegetarian and ask Mr. Axelroot to fly her back to America. However, she learns about the fallout from the hunt. Leah argues that she should have received the whole impala she had killed, but Reverend Price blames her for defying his wishes and disavows any responsibility for her moral education, considering her a lost cause. Nelson arrives, terrified after seeing the "evil sign," a shadow forming an X, near the chicken shed. He refuses to sleep there and seeks refuge in the house. Reverend Price attributes the situation to foolish idol worship and implies that Orleanna should seek mercy from idol worshippers if she wishes to cater to such beliefs. Leah, Adah, Rachel, and Ruth May decide to help Nelson. They create tracks in the ash around the chicken house to detect any intruders, while Nelson stays with Anatole for the night.
The following morning, Leah, Adah, Rachel, Ruth May, and Nelson go to the chicken house and find footprints in the ashes, indicating that Tata Kuvudundu had been there. Inside a basket, they discover a green mamba snake. Nelson prods the snake with a pole, causing it to strike before slithering away.
Ruth May screams in fear, and Leah tries to comfort her, assuring her that the snake is gone. However, Ruth May does not respond, and her face turns blue. Nelson tears her dress and reveals two fang marks on her shoulder - shehas been bitten by the green mamba. Nelson urgently instructs them to fetch milk to draw out the poison and to bring Mama Nguza, who had once saved her son from a green mamba. In shock, Leah finds herself paralyzed and unable to act.
Adah quotes a poem by Emily Dickinson about death and describes Ruth May's passing as the symmetrical end of her life, akin to a closing parenthesis in the palindrome that was Ruth May.
Rachel vividly describes the overwhelming shock and horror she experiences upon witnessing her younger sister's death. In the immediate aftermath, she, like the others, feels paralyzed and unable to process the tragic event. The weight of the irreversible loss hangs heavy on them all. Rachel reflects on the shared irrational belief they had - that if they don't inform their parents about her sister's death, somehow everything will remain unchanged, as if they could defy the inevitable curse that seems to loom over them.
However, reality sets in, and Rachel realizes that there is no escape from this moment. The tragic event has forever altered their lives, leaving an indelible mark on her own existence. She acknowledges that there is no way to return to the person she once was, living a carefree life in Georgia, and pretend that this tragedy never happened. The course of their lives has been irrevocably changed, and the weight of this realization bears heavily on Rachel's heart.
Upon learning of Ruth May's death, Orleanna remains composed and prepares a shroud using mosquito netting to cover her body. Reverend Price simply states that it "can't be" and mentions that Ruth May was never baptized. Leah believes that her father had been waiting for the perfect moment of pageantry to baptize Ruth May, a day when the village would acknowledge his authority and allow him to baptize their children as well. The neighbors gather to witness the grieving rituals, expressing their grief through shrieks and wails as they had done for their own children. Leah realizes that they have all experienced the pain of losing a child and that their sorrow is just as real as hers. Orleanna gives away their possessions to the neighbors. As thunder cracks and rain begins to fall, the children remember Ruth May's playful phrase "mah-deh-mey-I" from the game "Mother, May I." Reverend Price
proceeds to "baptize" all the present children, although they are unaware of its meaning and do not respond when he asks them to "walk forward into the light."
Rachel shares her experience of leaving the Congo. She convinces Eeben Axelroot to fly her out of the country. He receives recognition and reward money from the US Embassy for saving her life. However, he delays marrying her, using the excuse that receiving a reward for rescuing his wife would raise questions. A year later, they are still not legally married, although Rachel goes by the name Rachel Axelroot and lives with him as his wife. Rachel finds her new life in South Africa satisfying, enjoying luxury and fashionable French friends. While Mr. Axelroot engages in shady schemes to accumulate wealth, Rachel embraces her survival instinct and focuses on making the best of her circumstances. She appreciates being alive, contrasting it with the death of her sister Ruth May, and believes that sometimes one must prioritize self-preservation before working out the details.
Adah recounts her escape from the Congo with her mother. They are eventually taken to the Belgian embassy by soldiers who believe that touching the dissociated Orleanna or the partially paralyzed Adah would bring them misfortune. After receiving treatment for parasites, fungus, and malaria, they are flown to Fort Benning, Georgia, where Orleanna contacts her second cousins who come to pick them up. However, the locals in Bethlehem perceive them as insane, leading them to leave shortly after arriving. Orleanna surprises Adah by renting a cabin using inheritance money fromher father and starting a garden with crops and
flowers.
Adah decides to start speaking again and goes to Atlanta for a college interview. She expresses her desire to attend the university and eventually its medical school. Initially facing condescension from the interviewer, Adah impresses them with her intelligence and knowledge, resulting in a scholarship offer as the daughter of a veteran. In her entrance exams, she excels in the math portion, scoring 100%, and performs well in the verbal section, only missing a few questions related to identifying the item that doesn't belong. Adah now visits her mother on weekends, and they share a silent companionship. Adah contemplates the choice her mother made to take her out of Africa instead of Leah and wonders if it is a form of penance for favoring Ruth May over her during the incident with the ants. She also reveals that she recently discovered her father was not awarded a medal for heroic service but a purple heart, acknowledging his injury. Adah believes that his unofficial conditions were"Cowardice, Guilt, and Disgrace," and she believes that her father had a compulsion to desperately posture for an unforgiving God. Adah feels that this God has been observing her, and her dreams are haunted by the memories of Ruth May and the other children buried in Kilanga.
Leah, who now goes by the name Soeur Liselin, seeks refuge at a nunnery while Anatole remains imprisoned. She reflects on how she ended up there. In Bulungu, Leah became a liability due to her white skin, which endangered the entire village while Mobutu's army was present. Despite her request to be sent somewhere safer, Anatole insisted that it was not her fault. To Leah's surprise, they received help from friends in Kilanga, such as Tata Boanda, who brought them money and a suitcase containing Ruth May's coloring book, pieces of their hope chests, and Leah's bow and arrows. Tata Boanda also brought news of her father's deteriorating condition. He was suffering from parasites, malnutrition, and had a burned-down house. Leah's father had retreated to a hut he called "the New Church of Eternal Life, Jesus is B?ngala," but the villagers saw his misfortunes as a lack of protection from his God. Leah also learns that Tata Ndu threatened to exile Tata Kuvudundu for his
role in Ruth May'sdeath. They discover that Kilanga's pro-Lumumbists, who were Anatole's former students, were engaged in armed conflicts with Mobutu's army.
Currently, Leah works at the clinic in the mission, awaiting the letters she receives from Anatole every few weeks. She has improved her French and now speaks Lingala, hoping that it will be useful when she reunites with Anatole. Frustrated by the injustices of the world, she questions how God could allow the Congo to come so close to freedom only to have it taken away. Leah laments that her skin color has placed her on the wrong side of the war and even contemplates fighting for the Simbas, an army driven by desperation and hate, if given the chance. She hears news of thirty-one whites being killed in Stanleyville, which prompts a massive response from the UN's "Combined Forces" consisting of the US, Belgium, and mercenaries.
Overwhelmed by grief and the impending violence, Leah cries for the loss of her sister, her family's mistakes, the victims of the war, and the children in the Congo who lack hope for the future. Unable to conjure an image of God, she finds solace in praying to the old African stones unearthed from the ground, seeing them as something solid to believe in.
Rachel enjoys her life in South Africa, except for her relationship with Eeben Axelroot. He frequently mocks her, neglects personal hygiene, and still hasn't married her. Rachel briefly contemplates the fate of her family, wondering if they are still alive, but quickly dismisses the thought. She mentions the assassination of Prime Minister Lumumba and the subsequent crackdown on black individuals, which she deems necessary but causing misunderstandings at foreign embassies. The French ambassador may need to relocate to Brazzaville. This information becomes relevant to Rachel as the ambassador's first attach? is Daniel DuPre?, the husband of her friend Robine. Despite previously admiring Robine, Rachel nowintends to marry Daniel DuPre? in order to maintain her luxuriouslifestyle in South Africa and get rid of Eeben Axelroot. Rachel believes she can manipulate Daniel by putting on a charming fa?ade and seducing him, confident that he will soon marry her. She sees
herself as capable of handling Brazzaville with a smile, unlike Robine.
On the anniversary of Ruth May's death, Leah mourns not only her sister but also the loss of Congo's independence. She blames herself for Ruth May's demise. Leah, now married to Anatole, resides in Bikoki, a former rubber plantation, where Anatole serves as the headmaster of the local school. Anatole was released after three years of imprisonment, during which he became pen pals with a poet and resistance leader. The government has stopped paying Anatole's salary, but criticizing Mobutu is dangerous, so nobody speaks out. Their lives are at risk from both Mobutu's forces and the Simbas due to Anatole's political dissidence and Leah's white skin.
Visitors who come to see Leah always bring bad news. She learns that Mobutu's army killed Pascale and two of Anatole's former students. The Fowles inform her that her father made it to the Kikongo mission, but he seemed mentally unstable, claiming to have swallowed a live snake. After receiving medication, he vanished into the forest, leaving Leah uncertain of his fate. She encounters other missionaries who chose to remain in Africa and is inspired by their different approach to Christianity and life, contrasting with her own father's beliefs. She realizes that there are Christians who are truly dedicated to helping others, even in the face of danger and adversity.
Leah reflects on the loss of her family members, one by one. Ruth May is gone, her father is lost, and she admits that she would despise Rachel even more if she knew where to direct her anger. Due to the country's corruption, the postal service has ceased to function, preventing Leah from sending letters to her mother or Adah.
Now a medical school student, Adah consults with a neurologist who informs her that there is no neurological reason why her brain hasn't compensated for her damaged half. He suggests that her limp is now a result of habit rather than a true physical limitation. Through a process
of unlearning and relearning, Adah finds herself becoming more mobile and wonders if losing her limp will also mean losing a part of her identity.
Orleanna now works for civil rights in Atlanta and finds joy in participating in marches. Adah admires her mother's ability to endure long marches through tear gas unscathed and considers her to be impervious to harm. Leah, Anatole, and their son Pascal also reside in Atlanta. Their presence rescues Adah from the feeling of abandonment she believes she deserves. However, Adah anticipates that they won't stay for long due to their disdain for American consumer culture.
Adah contemplates the idea of religion and considers the need to find one. She observes that Orleanna's new religion seems to be her involvement in civil rights work, while Leah's religion appears to be suffering. Rachel, in Adah's opinion, is the happiest among them without adhering to any religion, although she sees herself as a kind of goddess.
Feeling concerned that Leah will overshadow her with her young child andanother baby on the way, Adah finally musters the courage to ask Orleanna why she chose to take her out of Congo instead of Leah. Orleanna explains that she made that decision because Adah was her youngest remaining child, and she believes that "a mother takes care of her children from the bottom up." Adah realizes that this choice had nothing to do with her personal worth but rather with her mother's needs. She finds comfort in this realization and decides to accept it, acknowledging that her mother needs her the most after the loss of Ruth May.
Mobutu's corrupt rule still dominates Zaire. Leah is outraged to learn that Mobutu is paying exorbitant amounts of money to boxers like Muhammad Ali and George Foreman for events at his stadium, all funded by the national treasury. Meanwhile, much of the country is suffering from starvation, and young El?v?e, one of Anatole's promising students, is forced to work as a prostitute at a young age to support her family. This injustice angers Leah, although Elisabet advises her not to express her anger in front of El?v?e to avoid making her feel worse.
As government employees have not received their salaries in two years, bribery has become the primary means of survival in the country.
Leah comes to understand and respect the bargaining-based economy. Looking back at her life in Kilanga, she realizes that her family, despite feeling poor, actually had more than most others but were unaware of their relative wealth. She also comprehends that the children who requested gifts were not greedy beggars but simply accustomed to the distribution of excess. Leah reflects on the motivations behind Tata Ndu's behavior, realizing that he never expected to marry Rachel but intended to imply that the family had become burdensome to the village. She understands why their possessions were stolen and the townsfolk's reactions when they claimed to have nothing to give. Leah credits her mother for leaving their possessions as farewell gifts to the people of Kilanga, recognizing her mother's understanding of redemption.
Anatole describes Zaire's situation as being in an exploitative marriage with America, and Leah draws parallels between this relationship and her parents' marriage. Leah briefly works as an English teacher for Americans involved in the Inga-Shaba power line project. Initially skeptical of the project's success due to ignorance, Leah is horrified to learn that its failure was deliberate. The infrastructure was cannibalized for parts as soon as sections of it fell into disrepair, leaving Zaire indebted to the US, which would be paid off indefinitely with diamonds and cobalt.
Rachel's most recent husband, Remy Fairley, has passed away and left her the Equatorial Hotel in Brazzaville, French Congo. Rachel revels in her newfound wealth and control over the hotel, catering to wealthy white clients and enjoying everything running according to her desires. She daydreams about a family reunion, hoping to impress Leah and Adah with hersuccess and make them admit that she has done well. However, she doubts that such a reunion will ever happen. Rachel resents Leah's refusal to visit, despite living nearby in Zaire with her family. She fails to understand Leah's decision to marry Anatole and does not recognize their children as relatives. Rachel attributes these decisions to the impact of Ruth May's death, believing that it brought out the true nature of each family member's heart. She feels that there was nothing she could have done to prevent Ruth May's death and is
determined not to let grief inconvenience her in any way.
Leah reflects on their stays in America, where even the simplestof accommodations and supplies were considered luxurious compared to their standards. However, they faced condescension from the people around them, particularly towards Anatole and their children. As a result, despite the higher quality of life offered in America, Leah and her family chose to return to Zaire, where they were respected by the local population.
Upon their return from a trip to America, Anatole's passport is confiscated, and Leah discovers that he is a wanted man. Anatole is taken to Camp Hardy, where Lumumba was once held, and where prisoners often starve to death. Leah is filled with anger and frustration over the injustice of the situation. She does everything she can to help Anatole, speaking to officials, learning who to bribe, and even asking her mother to send telegrams to Amnesty International on Anatole's behalf. Although she blames herself for Anatole's arrest, she doesn't regret the life they have built together, as it has resulted in the birth of their three beautiful children. Without Anatole by her side, Leah feels lonely and bitter. She also notices a change in how people perceive her as a white person in Zaire.
Despite her frustrations as a white American, Leah grappleswith the internal conflict between comfort and idealism. She desires a safe and quiet life, but also wants to be someone who remains present and feels the anguish when it is necessary. Leah longs for acceptance and a sense of belonging, but above all, she yearns for her husband's forgiveness and touch, as he is the one person on earth she knows has forgiven her for her whiteness.
Rachel reflects that she has no desire to participate in another reunion with her sisters. She attributes the idea of a reunion to Leah, who was feeling restless in the final month before her husband's release from
prison. Anatole had been scheduled for release but had his sentence extended at the last minute. Rachel lacks sympathy for Leah's distress, stating that those who break the law should expect to go to prison. She dismisses the idea of marrying a "criminal." The reunion plan also serves as a way to transport a Land Rover from Atlanta to Kinshasa, which Leah intends to use for a farming commune before eventually moving to Angola. Rachel mocks this idea, considering Angola to be communist. She resents the fact that her mother and her friends raised money for a Land Rover for Leah but refused to assist her in installing plumbing on the second floor of her hotel.
Rachel is bothered by Leah's preoccupation with her husband's release during their trip. She becomes particularly frustrated when Leah agrees to see Rachel's hotel only if they first retrieve Anatole. Rachel is offended by Leah's hesitation regarding allowing a black man into her hotel, and this leads Leah to abandon the idea altogether.
Throughout Rachel's account, it becomes evident that she desires a happy reunion with her sisters, but her self-centeredness, racism, and ignorant beliefs hinder the possibility. Her views on African politics are skewed, and she dismisses Leah's attempts to educate her, instead embracing pro-American propaganda. She disregards the information and insists that Ronald Reagan is keeping America safe from socialist dictators, expecting her sisters to be grateful for it.
Leah mentions that their father is likely dead, which surprises Rachel. Leah also mentions severalpeople from Kilanga, but Rachel doesn't recognize any of the names. She can't think of anyone from Kilanga besides Axelroot, and the Underdowns who left and returned to Belgium. She is perplexed by Leah's grief over her childhood friend Pascal, after whom Leah named her son.
Leah explains that their father's mental state deteriorated, and he became wild and unkempt. He worked his way up the river after being chased out of Kilanga and other villages. According to reports, he gained a reputation for transforming himself into a crocodile and attacking children. Despite being warned to leave his last village multiple times, he insisted on taking every child in the village and dunking them underwater. After a crocodile flipped a boat full of children, resulting in deaths and injuries, Reverend Price was blamed. The villagers chased him into a tower in a coffee field and set it on fire. The reverend, aflame, jumped off the tower and was left for animals to dispose of.
Adah recalls the verse that her father frequently recited to her, which described a troublemaking man being put into a tower and dying without burial. Rachel asks how the verse ends, and Adah responds with the closing verse of the Old Testament, "so this will be the end." The girls repeat the statement and sit in silence for an hour.
Leah mentions that their father had five wives who all left him. She then discusses Mobutu's dictatorship, the military state of Zaire, and the lack of government pay. Rachel admits internally that these issues are the source of business at her hotel, but she is annoyed that Leah brings them up. She expresses frustration with Leah's "sob story" and briefly discusses the downsides of imposing foreign values on a different culture.Chapter: What We Carried Out: Adah Price; Atlanta, January 1985
Adah visits her mother in Atlanta and informs her about the Reverend's death. During their conversation, Adah and Orleanna discuss their resentment toward the fact that society avoids discussing the "sins of the father." No one has ever asked them about Ruth May's death or acknowledged what theywent through in the Congo. Adah reflects on how even the Congo has chosen to rewrite its history, refusing to acknowledge the past. The two of them also discuss the Reverend, and Adah admits that she often fantasized about killing him by setting his bed on fire. However, she refrained from doing so to avoid hurting her mother. Adah considers her mother's question of why she didn't do it anyway and imagines herself responding that she didn't want to free her mother but wanted her to remember the Reverend's actions. Despite regaining full control of her body, Adah believes she will always be Ada, crooked and truthful. She concludes that power lies in balance, as they are defined by both their injuries and their successes.
Leah gives birth to her fourth son, Nataniel, on the side of the road. In his first few weeks of life, Nataniel faces several near-death experiences, but miraculously, he manages to survive. The family settles into an illegal farming commune near the border to Angola, always prepared to flee if Mobutu's spies come to apprehend them.
Leah recalls how Agostinho Neto, the doctor-poet who had been Anatole's pen pal during his first imprisonment, became the President of
Angola but died at a young age. There was a brief window of opportunity for them to go to Angola when he was in power, but the peace treaty was broken by the United States. This event filled Leah with shame for her birth country, and she no longer considers it her home.
Despite the hardships of their daily life, Leah is not bothered by the toil. Instead, she is exhausted by the pervasive injustice in the world. She acknowledges that she will never stop expecting life to be fair and feels disappointment and hurt when it falls short. She attributes this mindset to her upbringing, stating that her father's influence has shaped her vision of the world. Leah contemplates the various meanings of the Kikongo word "nzolo," including "dearly beloved," "grub for fish bait," "fetish against dysentery," and "little potatoes." She finds a common thread of preciousness connecting these meanings. Although she is aware of the dangers and landmines that still plague Angola, Leah holds onto hope for a peaceful life there. She is determined to find a place where she truly belongs, declaring that even if she hasto journey on one foot, she will find a place she can call home.
Rachel Price; The Equatorial
At the age of fifty, Rachel reflects on her life. She admits to missing the comforts of America but has chosen not to return, fearing that her hotel, The Equatorial, would be dismantled in her absence. In retrospect, Rachel acknowledges that she should have left Africa when she had the chance, but the continent has changed her irreversibly. She realizes that she no longer fits in with her peers in Bethlehem, Georgia, who could never comprehend the horrors she has experienced. Rachel takes pride in her life and most of her choices, particularly her glamorous time as a dignitary's wife. However, she regrets being unable to have children due to an infection she acquired from Mr. Axelroot.
Rachel believes that Africa cannot be changed, and one must learn to separate oneself from its impact on one's thoughts. She advises putting unpleasantness out of one's mind if it does not directly affect one's survival and doing whatever it takes to survive, even if those actions go against Christian principles. She describes Africa as a place where life
rushes past like a flood, and one must grasp onto anything that can provide support.
Leah Price; Sanza Pombo, Angola
Ten years after settling in their farming commune in Angola, Leah reflects on her life and notes the similarities between her new home and Kilanga. She still experiences bouts of malaria, but her husband takes care of her during those times. Leah struggles to teach newcomers in the commune about long-term strategies for maintaining the health of the land. She attributes this difficulty to the feast-or-famine nature of life in Africa, where everyone is focused on day-to-day survival. Leah sees herself as an "un-missionary," asking Africa to teach her its ways instead. She reflects on her father's mistakes and how she has lost faith in the justice and God he preached. Instead, she embraces a belief closer to Brother Fowles' concept of "creation," finding beauty and harmony in the natural cycles around her. Having found a true sense of home, Leah realizes that "time erases whiteness altogether" when she looks at her children, each with a different skin tone.
Adah has become a respected epidemiology researcher, having given up medical practice due to her sympathy for Africa and her inability to reconcile with theHippocratic oath. She considers herself a witchdoctor and holds an unconventional perspective on death and disease, believing in the equal rights of plants and viruses to exist and thrive on Earth. Adah sees viruses as her relations and cares for them in her own way. Orleanna disapproves of Adah's viewpoint, accusing her of lacking compassion for her own kind. Adah counters that she has "too much" compassion, fully aware of the wrongs committed by humanity and what they deserve. Like the others, Orleanna still suffers from diseases contracted in the Congo and never remarried. Adah, too, has remained single because none of her lovers passed her internal test of choosing her over Ruth May on the night with the driver ants.
Reflecting on her childhood, Adah acknowledges the energy she spent feeling betrayed by the world, particularly by Leah. She confesses that she was shaped by this sense of betrayal and built her life on a misunderstanding, much like everyone else. Adah collects misprints of the Bible and ponders over her father's African version of the Bible. She concludes that mistakes are an integral part of the story and acknowledges her origin as the daughter of a man who aimed to tell only the truth while leaving behind the Poisonwood Bible as his legacy.
Ruth May observes her mother and sisters during their reunion trip, ostensibly to find her grave and bid farewell, but in reality, they are saying goodbye to Orleanna. Their intention is to locate Ruth May's burial site so that Orleanna can leave a marker there. However, their plans are disrupted by the outbreak of war in Zaire. Mobutu, the country's leader, dies of cancer and flees before his death. After his passing, there is a moment of silence, reminiscent of the silence that followed Ruth May's death. While in the marketplace, the women encounter a woman from Bulungu. Orleanna purchases wooden elephants as gifts for Leah's grandchildren and receives an okapi carving asa present. To their dismay, the woman reveals that there is no village called Kilanga - it is just jungle south of Bulungu.
Ruth May's spirit forgives her mother and encourages her to forgive herself and move forward. She assures Orleanna that she will never forget, but forgiveness and remembrance can coexist. Ruth May uses the analogy of a vine sprouting from the plot that once held her heart as the only marker needed. She urges her mother to let go of the past and step into the light, embracing a new chapter in life.