Essay #1

Chase Hugh

Terribly necessary

            Exile is something many people around the world have to deal with. Few though understand the true depth to exile and how sad it can be. How terrible exile is obvious, but as Edward Said said that the pain of being exile is irreparable, but can be “enriching” and “potent”. The saying “What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger” comes to mind. Adah Price exemplified just this.

           

            Before even moving to the Congo Adah Price was voluntarily ostracized herself by only observing and not taking part in any day to day activities. Adah was already very cynical and had right be so, being crippled on one side of her body. She never really cared about anything due to her condition. How much harder it was for to move to the Congo, one can only guess. In the Congo she was further totally exiled from the only place she felt comfortable. Once in the Congo Adah go continue her exile in almost silence.

The turning point for Adah was when she realized she valued her life. Adah subsequently matures and becomes a participant in life. Her epiphany-like moment enriched her and inspired her to change. Though Adah kept some of her old habits like reading backwards, she was able to find true happiness utilizing her brilliant skills in observation and being able to see multiple meanings behind anything.

The books meaning directly relates to the quote “What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.” The surviving women of the Prices all came out of the experience for the better more or less. Orleana found her confidence again, Rachel still morally selfish came got lucky with her husbands, Leah found her soulmate, and Adah found her strength to overcome her adversity and become a great scientist.