final PWB essay

With privilege comes great responsibility to yourself and others. In my opinion, it is more effective and ethical to try to change your self, versus changing others. There are several examples in the book, The Poisonwood Bible and the column, What Could You Live Without?

First of all, when you have a privilege or advantage, you are able to share that privilege or knowledge with others to improve and help their lives. Initially when the Price's move to the Congo, their goal was to help the Congolese's government. Although the Congolese people do not end up in a so-called productive and efficient government, the Price's left a well-embedded impression and religious beliefs with them.

Second of all, it is easier to change your lifestyle, than to force another person into changing his or her lifestyle. One cannot change another's beliefs on demand. In The Poisonwood Bible, Orleanna changes her way of life, her perspective and her strength, after Ruth May's sudden death. She decides to leave the Congo, along with Nathan, as her daughters follow her lead. "I had to keep moving. I didn't set out to leave my husband. Anyone can see I should have, long before, but I never did know how," (383). Orleanna was able to change her life, not changing the lives of her daughter. Her decision was very effective for her daughters, who all lived a decent life after. It was definitely more effective and ethical to try to change herself, than to try to change her daughters'.

Third of all, in the column, What Could You Live Without?, the Salwen's had the advantage of a lovely home and the privilege of always having a meal in front of them when hungry. The Salwen's were willing to sacrifice their luxurious life for a decent one to help the ones in need, the ones suffering in Haiti and Ghana, as well as a local charity for the homeless. As their project went along, the Salwen's got some negative feedback, as one can expect, which is an implication of sacrificing the things in their lives for people in other countries. I can see how others can argue about helping other countries, versus the people in their town or even their own country, but it gave them a chance to "define themselves by what they give as well as what they possess."

Though there are implications of trying to change yourself and trying to change others, it is more effective and ethical to try to change yourself. The Poisonwood Bible and the column, What Could You Live Without, both have significant examples that can stick with us for the rest of our lives.