1. The Poisonwood:
* The literal forest: The Poisonwood is a real rainforest in the Congo, a place of beauty and danger. It represents the wild, untamed forces of nature, both enchanting and threatening. This is where the Price family's mission unfolds and their encounters with the Congolese people and the environment occur.
* Metaphor for the Congo itself: The Congo, under colonial rule, is also a place of beauty and danger, full of potential but marred by exploitation. The name "poisonwood" highlights the negative aspects of colonization, the devastation and suffering it brought.
* Symbolic of the Bible: The Bible, with its good intentions and moral guidance, can also be seen as "poisonwood." It can be interpreted in harmful ways, used to justify colonialism and impose Western ideals on other cultures.
2. The Bible:
* The Price family's mission: The Price family, led by Nathan Price, believes they are on a mission to bring the word of God to the Congolese people. The Bible is their weapon, their tool for conversion, and their source of authority.
* The Bible's power: The Bible's power is both positive and negative. It can offer comfort and hope, but it can also be used to justify oppression and violence.
* The Bible's ambiguity: The Bible itself is full of ambiguities and contradictions, which can be interpreted in multiple ways. This mirrors the complex realities of the Congo and the Price family's struggles.
Putting it together:
The title "The Poisonwood Bible" combines these elements to create a powerful and evocative image. It suggests that the Bible, while intended for good, can be misused and can become a tool of oppression, particularly in a foreign context. The "poisonwood" represents the negative consequences of the Price family's well-meaning but ultimately misguided mission.
The title also highlights the interconnectedness of nature, culture, and religion, and how they can interact in complex and sometimes destructive ways.