Human rights are a set of principles used to bring the world to freedom and equality; consequently, if they are not followed, injustice and imparity plagues the world. In Barbara Kingsolvers’ The Poisonwood Bible, there are key moments where an individual’s freedom of religion, opinion, and expression are denied, suppressing people’s ability to join society openly. This can also be recognized in 1984, a dystopian novel by George Orwell, where the citizens living in its world face restrictions to their right to life and liberty, and freedom from inhumane treatment, all taken by their very own government. The fact is that individuals, or a group of individuals, seek authority by taking the human power of rights and freedoms, ultimately taking …show more content…
This suggests that in order to have absolute power over others, people resort to methods that violate human rights; however, despite fear of these mental and physical violations, the will for freedom and individuality of those oppressed is stronger than the opposer’s will. Religion is an extremely sensitive subject as to believers it can be considered their meaning and purpose in life, ultimately making it possible to be the perfect tool to control people as it revolves around their existence. Nathan Price, a preacher, twists the meanings of the Bible to match his beliefs in order to make his words and actions have stronger meanings to them. With this tool, he decides to use it by spreading it around the world, in this case, to the Congo: “My Father, of course, was bringing the Word of God- which fortunately weights nothing at all” (Kingsolver, 19). Leah, the daughter of Nathan, recognizes his will to spread his ego of righteousness and authority, while also understanding that because he has no actual intentions of saving the country, it holds no weight at