Villain

The villain, in my opinion, in “The Poisonwood Bible” is Nathan Price, husband of Orleanna Price and father of Rachel, Leah, Adah, and Ruth May Price. Early in the novel, he is depicted as a kind soul - almost a God-like figure - with a selfless mission to bring God and Christianity to the poor people of the Congo. However, we later find out that he is abusive to his wife and children as they are seen in his eyes as obstacles to his approval from God (as they represent his inability of self-discipline in sexual matters). He also consistently endangers their lives by extending their stay in the disease-ridden Congo. With the other four members of the family proving to be the protagonists and Nathan showing his lack of care for them, he is ultimately determined to be the villain.