Orleanna speaks later of what their life in Africa was like. She speaks of the regret that she had not been a “different mother… straightened up and seen what was coming” (87). Kingsolver includes the details of how hard life was for these women; how hard it was for Orleanna to carry on a somewhat normal life for her girls. She begins to feel worthless and just like her husband’s “instrument, his animal” (89). As she begins to tell about their exit of Africa she foreshadows the death of one daughter by saying “some of us are in the ground now and some are above it, but we’re all women, made of the same scarred earth” (89). Orleanna refers to her own wedding day where she began to “lose” herself. Her wedding day, a day that should be one of her fondest memories, is seen as one of days where she lost what was most important to her. Kingsolver begins to show through the words that she uses this inner conflict in Orleanna that makes her question whether she should stay with her family, or go out and regain who she was before the move to the Congo. “The hardest work of every day,” she states “was deciding, once again, to stay with my family.” (91) Orleanna couldn’t bear the thought of leaving her children, but her unhappiness was making life so unbearable, as is shown through such harsh words.
As time progresses, Orleanna becomes more defeated and frustrated. She tries to defend herself as to why she didn’t get out sooner, but her words become angrier. Kingsolver uses this angry tone when Orleanna speaks almost as though she were talking to herself “that the thing you love more than this world grew from a devil’s seed. It was you who let him plant it.” (191). This is such a harsh statement through which the reader is able to see Orleanna’s bitterness towards her husband and all of what her life in Africa took away from her. Kingsolver begins to reveal more detail about the happy life Orleanna once lived as she grew up. The inclusion of these details provides the contrast of the happy life once lived to this dark and desperate life she lives now. These details only reinforce the tone of Orleanna’s moods. She states that “like Methuselah, she has lost her wings”. (201)
Later, it is through Orleanna, that Kingsolver describes the events of politics that are happening in the Congo during this time. Kingsolver creates a connection from the American involvement in Congo to her failure to stand up to Nathan’s decision to bring the family to Kilanga. These words, this comparison, proves Orleanna’s guilt for all the sorrow and tragedy that happened. The way Kingsolver describes Orleanna’s surprising reaction to the death of Ruth May, explains how lifeless Orleanna feels at this point. She is so defeated and drained, that the loss of her child overwhelms her with grief and guilt. She forces herself to “keep walking” for the sake of her daughters.
Finally, a shift occurs in Orleanna. Her words become more confident and forceful proving that Orleanna has gained the courage to do what she must do in order to save her children; she must leave her husband. This choice shows the bravery of this woman who lost so much. She was still able to do what was right for herself and her other daughters, despite all her guilt over losing one child. In such a powerful ending to the story, Kingsolver ends the story with a narrative by Ruth May forgiving her mother for all that has happened. This brings peace to Orleanna, bringing a comfortable end to a heart-wrenching story.
Kingsolver develops Orleanna’s character more throughout the story, in the tone that she speaks with and the words she uses, as both a mother who cares deeply for her family, but also a young woman who is yearning for the independence and passion she once had in her life and marriage.
