Class Discussion

In class on Friday we had a class discussion about the section entitled The Exodus. As a class we discussed whether we liked or disliked the section. Some people enjoyed this section because it really brought out the individuality of the sisters instead of seeing the family as a whole. But others disliked it because it seemed to tear apart the whole essence of the family which was what the whole book was about before the break up point. I personally disliked this section. Despite it having some very interesting and exciting moments it definitely changed the story so much that it seemed like I was reading a whole new book. This could be a good thing but it like such a huge change with the Price family the story becomes kind of bizarre.

We also discussed the father of the Price family named Nathan. Nathan Price is a very religious Baptist Preacher who took the Price family into the Congo for missionary work. After being warned many times to leave the Congo, Nathan and his family stay because he feels that God is testing him to leave. But after awhile the youngest daughter, Ruth May, dies from a snake bite. This causes Orleanna his wife and his children to leave him in Congo by himself. Not to much information is given to us about Nathan in The Exodus but we discover that he becomes very insanitary and mentally unstable. It kind of surprised me that Nathan stayed in the Congo by himself but when you think about it he probably thought that when his family left him, it was a test from God and he must stay. Baptism was very important for Nathan in the Congo. This is because the Baptist sect of Christianity believes that one must be baptized to be a member of the church. Nathan does not understand why people of the Congo do not want to be baptized and is later killed because of his views in Baptism.