The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged novel that explores themes of colonialism, religion, family, and personal identity. Set in the Congo during the tumultuous period of decolonization, the novel follows the experiences of the Price family, a missionary family from the United States, as they confront the challenges of living and working in a foreign country.
Socratic seminars are a popular teaching method that involve students discussing a text through a series of open-ended and thought-provoking questions. Here are some potential Socratic seminar questions for a discussion of The Poisonwood Bible:
How does the novel portray the relationship between the colonizers and the colonized? What themes does the novel explore in this regard?
How does the novel explore the theme of religion and faith? How do the different characters in the novel express their faith, and how does their faith shape their actions and decisions?
How do the experiences of the Price family in the Congo challenge their assumptions and beliefs about themselves and the world? How do their experiences change them over the course of the novel?
How does the novel explore the theme of family dynamics and relationships? How do the different members of the Price family interact with each other, and how do their relationships evolve over the course of the novel?
How does the novel use the perspective of the different narrators to explore its themes and to tell its story? What insights do the different narrators provide, and how do their perspectives contribute to the overall narrative?
How does the setting of the Congo play a role in the novel's themes and story? How does the political and social context of the Congo shape the experiences of the characters and the conflicts they face?
How does the novel use symbolism and imagery to explore its themes and to convey its message? How do the various symbols and images in the novel contribute to the overall meaning and impact of the novel?
These are just a few potential Socratic seminar questions for a discussion of The Poisonwood Bible. Other possible questions could focus on the themes of power and control, cultural differences, and personal responsibility, among others.
"Their Eyes Were Watching God" Socratic Seminar
Always another problem or mountain to climb. It is important to distinguish between the use of a method and the abuse of a method. Why did Sherman Alexie choose to write in first person? Desire and fear seem to share a common kernel although they are opposites. Unfortunately, her narrations were the shortest. Through the perspectives of the wife and four daughters of the Price family, Kingsolver conveys her message within the novel. Methuselah is a pronounced presence in the book. All that foot washing, for example.
Mountains Beyond Mountains and Poisonwood Bible Socratic Seminar Notes
This will change the rules of the affair and make students far less likely to voice their own opinions. And I agree, he is the ideal missionary — willing to understand and even embrace the local ways and find ways to adapt his beliefs to the local world. Eeben Axelroot: friend or foe? I finally finished Book 2 a couple of days ago: 1. Although each daughter is presented with the same obstacles, Rachel reacts in a selfish and careless style, Leah reacts in an active and emotional way ever aware of her surroundings, and Adah reacts in an analytical, scientific manner. Why do you think the novel is titled The Poisonwood Bible? By pure mistake, his implementation is sometimes more pure than his intentions. Orleanna and her daughters follow Nathan relunctantly to Belgian-ruled Congo in attempts to spread the word of his Baptist faith. I think the lack of emotional connection is one reasonit was so hard for me to get through this book.
I moved to the Canary Islands for a year so I could make brief research trips into Africa while leaving my young daughter safely ensconced in a European pre-school. Think about heroic actions taken by minor characters as well as major characters. What does independence mean to the Congolese? His views and opinions set me thinking and I found a well explained logic in them; for instance when he talks about washing of feet, and the stripes. Loyalty… Cultural Differences In The Poisonwood Bible All cultures have their own ideals, religions, and social systems. It was released in a time when the paranoia and hysteria was very relevant.
Poisonwood Bible Discussion Questions for Readalong Week 2
Do you think they should be forgiven by society? Maybe we can set up a day time Twitter chat so we can discuss it live when we are done. I never even thought about it. Once Miller had researched enough about the people surrounding the events, he began writing. Moms do need self-care, it took me a decade before i realized I needed that break to just have some time for me. I think it is horribly arrogant to believe that your way is the only way. Not only did their views of the world differ wildly, but their take on their lives in the Congo. As with any other mode of logic, this does not prove any of those individual components false, nor does it prove their opposites true.
That being said, I am enjoying hearing from all the girls, though…it gives the whole story a more well-rounded perspective. For instance, Leah worships her father and his mission, blindly following him as if he is God himself. For this reason, a questioner who is clever—or calculating—can frame Socratic questions in such a way as to lead toward particular conclusions. It would be hard not to be healed and illumined in the vicinity of that light, but Nathan is the exception, closed to that light that threatens his certainties so. Narimatsu 1 Amy Narimatsu AP Literature August 18, 2015 The Poisonwood Bible Seminar Questions 1. Socratic Seminar Notes Mountains Beyond Mountains 1.
This may be in the form of helping others such as sharing, however often at one's own expense. Through all this ignorance and delusional fear, Arthur Miller was inspired to explore the similarities and parallels of the Salem Witch Trials and McCarthyism. Rather, the method is used to test or to clarify a position. The Crucible Socratic Seminar Questions 100 pts. Just announced: our Foodie February 2015 event.
I wished that Fowles had more time to spend with Nathan but really enjoyed his contribution to this story. Do you like the alternating narrators? Paradoxes In The Crucible 624 Words 3 Pages The issues it dealt with then are much the same as the issues we deal with now. These orators and rhetoricians were skilled at painting their views in a positive light. Her limited vocabulary and poor grammar shows that she is young and has not been very well educated. Use quotes from the text to support your answers. There are so many details about Congolese life.
What comforts of home would you take with you if you were traveling abroad? As you know, this is my second time reading The Poisonwood Bible. They also want to know that they are in a safe, controlled space where their thoughts will be heard and acknowledged. Is he the right person to preach to the Congolese? How do you find time for yourself? Yes a fully loaded Nook is nice. Yes, we can annotate as we read and those notations really do come in handy in a seminar! Along with these nationalities come cultures. It can be incredibly lonely to read a novel alone and not have anyone with which to share your thoughts.
Poisonwood Bible Discussion Questions for Readalong Week 1
This only increased after Nathan came back from the war. The basis for The Crucible came from the witch trials which occurred in Salem, Massachusetts during the puritan era. The most dramatic of these come from Jesus in His interactions with His critics. Desire also leads to reward-based learning. I guess it comes down to WHY we read.
