Final answer:
In 'The Poisonwood Bible', Eeben Axelroot is primarily portrayed as a pilot, but he is also involved in illicit activities such as smuggling and diamond trading.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the novel The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver, Eeben Axelroot's main job is that of a pilot. However, Axelroot is not a typical pilot; he is involved in numerous clandestine activities in the Congo, where the story is set. His role as a pilot mainly serves as a cover for his more underhanded dealings, such as smuggling and trading in illegal goods, including diamonds.
Axelroot's character adds an element of intrigue and illustrates the underlying themes of corruption and exploitation present in the novel. His interactions with the Price family, particularly with one of the daughters, reveal his opportunistic nature and how Western characters can be entangled in the political and social complexities of African nations during the 1960s.