Man’s attempts to overcome stifling and hostile conditions bears testimony to the fact that imperialism finally gives way to freedom. History is witness to such ruthless deeds which pave the way to an end to brutality inflicted upon the natives.
Adam Hoschild’s King Leopold’s Ghost substantiates the above statements and Kingsolver, a deft craftsman, instills in the minds of the readers a rather oppressive reign of terror unleashed by the white settlers in the African continent during the 19th century. “Synthesizing her widespread knowledge of history, science and anthropology, and tempering it with characteristic insight and wit, Barbara Kingsolver has written her most accomplished novel to date” (Kingsolver 2000).
King Leopold’s Ghost is a poignant detailed historical account of the atrocities committed by King Leopold II of Belgium in Congo between 1884 and 1908. The book exposes the cruel frivolities that the king engages in while claiming that he is a just ruler. He is an unforgiving tyrant wearing the mask of a benevolent ruler.
He subjects the natives into forced labor so that they do not stand up to voice their opinion against him. In the meantime, in order to attain power and glory and to establish his stronghold over Congo, he seeks the help of H.M. Stanely who is in for exploration. “The history of Congo as it applies to the novel can be traced to the late 1800’s exploration by H. M. Stanley who stirred the interest of Leopold II of Belgium” (Kingsolver 2003) The natives labor hard to bear rubber and ivory up to 10 km a day.
Disobedience or reluctance would hold hostage their wives and children and slight mistakes, mutilation of their bodies. Though inhuman and pathetic to the core, the natives bear the hardships. Millions are spent to bribe the media so that he is not exposed. He starts his own press to reach out to the multitude and reality is crushed.
Years of subjugation, poverty and systematic terror, accompanied by fears of baptisms by Christian missionaries provoke the blacks. Their extreme hatred for the king and the missionaries who believe that they are an ‘unclean’ and ‘uncivilised’ lot urges them to swear to preserve their culture and heritage at all cost. The attainment of self – awareness not only makes them rebel against social conditions but also resolve to fight for independence. The king is exposed and he is ousted.
Gradually, the country prepares itself for freedom and gets involved in a nationalist movement of 1920. Furthermore, a religious movement turned people against European culture and Christian missions. Belgium grants freedom to Congo and the first prime minister takes over the charge of ruling the country. The ill-prepared independence leads to disaster and unsafe conditions for Europeans and Americans. Kingsolver takes advantage of the historical crisis and places the Price family in Kilanga, a province of the Congo beginning to get involved in a nationalist movement that started in the 1920’s. Nathan Price, the overzealous Baptist minister in America forcibly drags his family into the unsafe and hostile Congo in 1957.
He doesn’t heed to his family’s repeated requests to give up the trip to Kilanga and work to enlighten the community there. The eldest daughter, 15 year old Rachel is disillusioned – she is robbed of the hustle and bustle of American teenage life. 14 year Leah shares her father’s religious zeal while her twin sister Adah is a cripple stricken with hemiplegia at birth. 5 year old Ruth is a spectator to all the events. Their mother, Orleane, succumbs to her husband’s adamant stand. She fears that the dark Continent would cast an evil spell on her girls. She realizes that her husband is out to bring calamity to their otherwise quiet life.
Once in Kilanga, Price sets out on his mission by sowing seeds in his garden in an attempt to set an example of cultivation. Unfortunately the seeds do not sprout. Later, in a determined effort to baptize the natives, he suffers a set-back as their housekeeper, Mama Taba deserts them. Undaunted, Price decides to continue with his mission though Orleane hears warning bells. The four young women react to the situation in their own way. Their experiences are narrated by them through books 5 and 7 of the novel.
The nationalist movement gains momentum and the under downs, the Prices’s contact to the mission league, Belgium is about to leave the country. Tata Ndu, the chief plots to frighten the family by placing a mamba snake at their doorstep. Nelson pokes the snake. In a bid to escape the snake bites Ruth and she dies before their eyes. Orleane is shocked beyond control and for the first time she resents Price’s request to stay back. She plans to escape to Georgia with her daughters. In the meantime Leah is in love with Anatole, Adah accompanies her mother and Rhea decides to settle down in Congo. As the novel ends, we find Leah and Anatole happily settled, Adah, a doctor and Rhea a rich widow. Their mother guilt ridden, prays to Ruth to forgive her and she is ultimately forgiven.
The novel is powerful enough to capture one’s head and heart as it deeply delves not only into the unstable socio- economic and political conditions of Congo but also into the egoistic and brutal instincts in man. The Price family is caught in a no less critical situation and they are able to survive. The natives are given freedom and they no longer need the help of the white settlers Kingsolver has successfully portrayed the anxiety and fear of the Price family and the natives in the background of repression and their final salvation.
Works cited
Kingsolver, Barbara. The poisonwood Bible. Oprah’s book. 2000. Web.
Kingsolver, Barbara. The poisonwood Bible. Monkey Notes. 2003. Web.