At the beginning of book one, Adah seems to already have a much better understanding of the world then the rest of her family. She is more open to the ideas of others and much more observant and thoughtful. Because she slowly takes her time, she sees things that other people miss. This doesn't seem to change her opinions as the book goes on, rather then enforce them and refine them. There is a certain stoic nature to her thoughts that seem a bit melancholy as they process everything she sees. Nothing seems to surprise her or cause expression of emotion. This irritates her twin Leah,who sees her as uncaring. She doesn't understand that this is Adah's way to see things clearly. She understands the little significance of the Congo's independence the way the other Prices will someday have to. Also, she is the only daughter to denounce God. She is safe from her father's wrath since he doesn't know of it, and that is just fine by her. She is so independent that she is not as influenced by her peers. It is almost surprising that she hasn't yet had any major moments commenting on the failures of her family, and the apparent madness of her father, but it is Adah after all. She doesn't judge quickly. She has her own opinions, but those are not for anyone else. I think she is the least and most affected by Africa at the same time. There is no major change in her since coming to Africa, but she will end up taking the most from it since she sees so much more then the others and takes her time to think about what she sees. The other Prices can only think of their misery or mission. While they may learn important lessons from Africa that will change them, they couldn't learn as much as Adah, who simply shows change in a different way.
1. In this reading, I don't see a very substantial change in Adah. She is the only one of the Price children who doesn't let Africa change her. This may be due to the fact that she does not speak. Characters like Rachel and Leah feel trapped in the Congo with only their family to converse with. However, since Adah is so used to non-verbal communication, she can easily assimilate into Congolese culture. Adah is also very observant. The first thing she says after arriving in the Congo is "Sunrise tantalize, evil eyes hypnotize: that is the morning Congo pink." She is the only one of the price children who observes the land before she condemns it. Rachel, Leah and even Ruth May say something cynical or sarcastic when they first arrive in the Congo, but Adah simply observes her surroundings. The fact that she is still observing (and spelling things backwards) at the end of this section shows that she didn't develop a dislike for the Congo like her sisters, but, instead made herself a part of their culture. 2. Adah views Africa as just another home. This is shown by the fact that she never really mentions much about living in Africa. During her chapters, she talks about life in a different way from her sisters. She does not complain about the lack of food or english-speaking people. Instead, she takes in her new surroundings and observes the new people around her.
"The wonder to me now is that I thought myself worth saving." (306)
The chapters centered around the ant invasion are the ones that seem to speak the most of the characters. It is as if they each have a secret, or revelation that they only come to see and understand in themselves in this frenzied moment. Leah confesses her love for Anatole, Rachel her vanity and lack of importance. Ruth May seems to find herself afraid of living or not deserving of it. Adah's supicions of her worthlessnes are confirmed. Within each of these findings, is a foreshadowing element that in their darkest night, they find something in themselves that will greatly affect their future. Adah, as usual, seems to be the least changed by this experience. She has spent her whole life thinking that she was of less value then her sisters, and though she is surprised and deeply hurt when Orleanna doesn't help her, she mocks her self for being surprised. Becasue she already knew this about herself, she has grown the least in this situation. Leah had never confessed her love for Anatole even to herself though the signs were there. Rachel has a bit of a reality check, but seems unable to learn from it. Despite her recent, slight progress, she is too shallow to accept that she is not as important in the world as she formerly thought. She seems to backtrack at this realization, unable to live with this, and that decision follows her later. Ruth May forshadows her own doom, and this foresight prepared her somewhat. Once again, Adah is left out of this pattern. later in the book she does experience some personal growth, but not as quickly, nor for the same reasons as her sisters. So far, she has not been overly changed, as she was already more aware of herself and her place in the world.
5 comments:
i will write about Adah
me too
"No one yet has seen it but me." (pp. 185)
At the beginning of book one, Adah seems to already have a much better understanding of the world then the rest of her family. She is more open to the ideas of others and much more observant and thoughtful. Because she slowly takes her time, she sees things that other people miss. This doesn't seem to change her opinions as the book goes on, rather then enforce them and refine them. There is a certain stoic nature to her thoughts that seem a bit melancholy as they process everything she sees. Nothing seems to surprise her or cause expression of emotion. This irritates her twin Leah,who sees her as uncaring. She doesn't understand that this is Adah's way to see things clearly. She understands the little significance of the Congo's independence the way the other Prices will someday have to. Also, she is the only daughter to denounce God. She is safe from her father's wrath since he doesn't know of it, and that is just fine by her. She is so independent that she is not as influenced by her peers. It is almost surprising that she hasn't yet had any major moments commenting on the failures of her family, and the apparent madness of her father, but it is Adah after all. She doesn't judge quickly. She has her own opinions, but those are not for anyone else. I think she is the least and most affected by Africa at the same time. There is no major change in her since coming to Africa, but she will end up taking the most from it since she sees so much more then the others and takes her time to think about what she sees. The other Prices can only think of their misery or mission. While they may learn important lessons from Africa that will change them, they couldn't learn as much as Adah, who simply shows change in a different way.
1. In this reading, I don't see a very substantial change in Adah. She is the only one of the Price children who doesn't let Africa change her. This may be due to the fact that she does not speak. Characters like Rachel and Leah feel trapped in the Congo with only their family to converse with. However, since Adah is so used to non-verbal communication, she can easily assimilate into Congolese culture. Adah is also very observant. The first thing she says after arriving in the Congo is "Sunrise tantalize, evil eyes hypnotize: that is the morning Congo pink." She is the only one of the price children who observes the land before she condemns it. Rachel, Leah and even Ruth May say something cynical or sarcastic when they first arrive in the Congo, but Adah simply observes her surroundings. The fact that she is still observing (and spelling things backwards) at the end of this section shows that she didn't develop a dislike for the Congo like her sisters, but, instead made herself a part of their culture.
2. Adah views Africa as just another home. This is shown by the fact that she never really mentions much about living in Africa. During her chapters, she talks about life in a different way from her sisters. She does not complain about the lack of food or english-speaking people. Instead, she takes in her new surroundings and observes the new people around her.
"The wonder to me now is that I thought myself worth saving." (306)
The chapters centered around the ant invasion are the ones that seem to speak the most of the characters. It is as if they each have a secret, or revelation that they only come to see and understand in themselves in this frenzied moment. Leah confesses her love for Anatole, Rachel her vanity and lack of importance. Ruth May seems to find herself afraid of living or not deserving of it. Adah's supicions of her worthlessnes are confirmed. Within each of these findings, is a foreshadowing element that in their darkest night, they find something in themselves that will greatly affect their future. Adah, as usual, seems to be the least changed by this experience. She has spent her whole life thinking that she was of less value then her sisters, and though she is surprised and deeply hurt when Orleanna doesn't help her, she mocks her self for being surprised. Becasue she already knew this about herself, she has grown the least in this situation. Leah had never confessed her love for Anatole even to herself though the signs were there. Rachel has a bit of a reality check, but seems unable to learn from it. Despite her recent, slight progress, she is too shallow to accept that she is not as important in the world as she formerly thought. She seems to backtrack at this realization, unable to live with this, and that decision follows her later. Ruth May forshadows her own doom, and this foresight prepared her somewhat. Once again, Adah is left out of this pattern. later in the book she does experience some personal growth, but not as quickly, nor for the same reasons as her sisters. So far, she has not been overly changed, as she was already more aware of herself and her place in the world.
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