Question

In The Poisonwood Bible,How do the Kilanga men indicate which candidate they are voting for?

Answer 1

In The Poisonwood Bible, Kilanga men vote by physically standing behind the candidate they support, representing a public show of their political preference.

Step-by-step explanation:

In The Poisonwood Bible, the voting process in the village of Kilanga is quite different from what might be expected in a Western context. The men do not use a secret ballot; instead, they show their support publicly. When voting for a candidate, the Kilanga men announce their choice by standing behind him. This act is symbolic and physically represents their political support for the candidate they want to lead them.

The novel uses this and other cultural practices to illustrate the complexities of the Kilanga society and how it contrasts with the cultural expectations of the Price family, who are outsiders from America. The voting process represents one of many aspects of Congolese culture depicted in the novel that challenges the Prices and speaks to broader themes of cultural misunderstanding and postcolonial identity.

Answer 2

In "The Poisonwood Bible," the Kilanga men indicate which candidate they are voting for by placing a seed in the corresponding candidate's ballot box.

Step-by-step explanation:

In Barbara Kingsolver's novel "The Poisonwood Bible," the voting process in Kilanga is unique and symbolic. The Kilanga men indicate their choice of candidate by placing a seed in the ballot box of the candidate they support. This method reflects the cultural and environmental context of Kilanga, where seeds are significant symbols of growth and fertility.

The use of seeds as a voting mechanism is a culturally rich detail that ties into the agricultural and natural elements of the Kilanga community. It highlights the integration of local customs and practices into the political process, emphasizing the community's connection to the land and its reliance on agriculture for sustenance.

This unconventional voting method serves as a narrative device to illustrate the clash between Western concepts of democracy and the indigenous traditions of the Kilanga people. It also underscores the importance of understanding and respecting local customs when introducing foreign ideas.

Through this cultural lens, Kingsolver provides readers with a deeper understanding of the complexities and challenges faced by both the Price family, who come from the United States, and the Kilanga community as they navigate the dynamics of change and cultural exchange.