The Poisonwood Bible Character Analysis

Nathaniel Price

Nathaniel Price is the hypocritical, boorish patriarch of the Price family: a proud, arrogant man presiding over a family of women. As a Reverend, Nathaniel sets the plot of the novel in motion when he… read analysis of Nathaniel Price

Orleanna Price

The quiet, long-suffering wife of Nathaniel Price. Orleanna is a deep-thinking, intelligent woman, but because of her husband’s boorish behavior, she’s often forced to hide her own talents from others—especially in the Congo. Nevertheless… read analysis of Orleanna Price

Rachel Price

Rachel, the eldest of the Price daughters, is portrayed as a rather narrow-minded, superficial young woman, who dislikes the Congolese more blatantly than anyone in her family except for Nathan Price himself. Unlike her siblings… read analysis of Rachel Price

Adah Price

The daughter of Nathaniel and Orleanna Price, and the twin sister of Leah Price, Adah Price is a highly intelligent young woman who’s been disadvantaged by the symptoms of hemiplegia, a blood disease… read analysis of Adah Price

Leah Price

The daughter of Nathaniel and Orleanna Price, and the twin sister of Adah Price, Leah is an intelligent, energetic young woman who over the course of the novel grows into a passionate defender… read analysis of Leah Price

Ruth May Price

The youngest of the Price children, Ruth May is a plucky, adventurous five-year-old when the novel begins. The chapters narrated from her point of view tend to be short and to-the-point, as there are many… read analysis of Ruth May Price

Anatole Ngemba

Anatole Ngemba is a young, intelligent Congolese man who eventually becomes Leah Price’s lover and husband. Anatole is deeply connected to the history of the Congo: his mother was sent to the Belgian diamond… read analysis of Anatole Ngemba

Reverend Frank Underdown

A missionary in Africa who provides Nathan Price and his family with supplies, shelter, and advice about how to get by in the Congo. Underdown is a useful expository device in the novel: whenever there’s… read analysis of Reverend Frank Underdown

Eeben Axelroot

A resourceful, devious man who provides the Prices with most of their food and supplies during their time in the Congo—albeit at exorbitant prices. It’s strongly implied that Axelroot is involved in the CIA operation… read analysis of Eeben Axelroot

Tata Ndu

The leader of the village of Kilanga, who often finds himself at odds with Nathaniel Price due to Price’s rigid commitments to Christianity. Ndu is shown to be an intelligent, experienced leader, who is far… read analysis of Tata Ndu

Tata Kuvudundu

A witch-doctor and Kilanga resident who resents Nathan Price and his family for bringing Christianity—in Kuvudundu’s eyes, a dangerous, even poisonous force—to the Congo. Kuvudundu tries to attack the Price family by placing a poisonous… read analysis of Tata Kuvudundu

Patrice Lumumba

Populist leader of the Congo during the early 1960s, who was assassinated by the CIA due to his outspoken support for socialism. In the novel, Lumumba’s sudden assassination is a major turning point in the… read analysis of Patrice Lumumba

Minor Characters

Brother Fyntan Fowles

The jovial, highly educated missionary who preceded Nathaniel Price in Kilanga. Fowles, in spite of their shared religious faith, is everything Nathan isn't: kind, funny, quick-witted, modest, and above all deeply respectful of the Congolese people.

Mama Tataba

An elderly resident of Kilanga who’s been paid to take care of the Price family, but leaves when it becomes clear that Nathan Price has no respect for her intelligence or experience.

Janna Underdown

The wife of Reverend Frank Underdown, and a superficial-seeming woman, who makes fun of the Prices for their thick Southern accents.

Mama Mwanza

An elderly resident of Kilanga, who’s survived for many years without her legs.

Miss Leep

The elementary school teacher who discovered that Adah Price was extremely intelligent, thereby saving Adah from a lifetime of special education.

Mama Lo

A hairdresser who lives in the village of Kilanga.

Pascal

A young boy who lives in Kilanga, and is later murdered following Joseph Mobutu’s military coup in the Congo.

Lekuyu / Nelson

A young boy who lives in Kilanga.

Bud Wharton

Orleanna Price’s father, an eye doctor.

Moise Tshombe

The leader of the Lunda tribe, who attempts to secede from the Congo following the Belgians’ decision to pull out of the country.

Celine Fowles

The Congolese wife of Brother Fyntan Fowles.

Tata Boanda

An old fisherman who befriends Leah Price and continues to update her on life in Kilanga after she leaves.

Daniel Dupree

Wealthy French diplomat for whom Rachel Price leaves Eeben Axelroot.

Robine Dupree

Wife of Daniel Dupree before he meets Rachel Price.

Pascal Ngemba

Eldest child of Leah Price and Anatole Ngemba.

Patrice Ngemba

Child of Leah Price and Anatole Ngemba.

Martin-Lothaire Ngemba

Child of Leah Price and Anatole Ngemba.

Remy Fairley

Third husband of Rachel Price—a wealthy, elderly businessman, who promptly dies and leaves Rachel in control of a profitable hotel.

Nathaniel Ngemba

Youngest child of Leah Price and Anatole Ngemba.

Bgenye

Son of Tata Ndu.

Therese

Nun who works alongside Leah Price.

President Dwight David Eisenhower

The President of the United States from 1953 to 1961, and one of the masterminds of the plan to imprison Patrice Lumumba, and later to assassinate him.

Allen Dulles

The head of the CIA during the military coup in the Congo.

Joseph Mobutu

Dictatorial ruler of the Congo during the 1970s and 80s, sponsored by the U.S government because of his support for capitalism.

Muhammed Ali

American boxer who battled George Foreman in Zaire in the 70s.

George Foreman

American boxer who battled Muhammed Ali in Zaire in the 70s.

Agostinho Neto

Angolan political leader, often seen as a worthy successor to Patrice Lumumba, who was harassed and imprisoned for his political commitments to democracy and socialism.