PWB: Lit Circle #2, Historian

In class, we are periodically going to assume different roles to aid in discussions regarding The Poisonwood Bible. For the second lit circle, I am the historian, which means I have to come up with background information about some of the things presented in the book.

• The Bataan Death March occurred from April 9, 1942 and lasted several days afterward. The march was the result of the surrender of over 15,000 American and 60,000 Filipino troops at Bataan peninsula. Because of the large number of POW’s, many of the prisoners were forced to march around 60 miles in grueling conditions to get to a prison camp. 600-650 American and 5,000-10,000 Filipino prisoners died during the march to the prison camp.
• Sleeping sickness is a parasitic disease that causes minor symptoms, such as fever, aching joints, etc., but if untreated, can lead to neurological damage, such as irregular sleep patterns and confusion.
• Katanga declared its independence from Congo on July 1, 1960, under the leadership of Moise Tshombe. This resulted in turmoil between the two new nations, and after Congo tried to invade Katanga in 1961, the UN got involved and under pressure by Congo, forced Katanga to rejoin with Congo in 1963.
• Patrice Lumumba, after being overthrown from office and held under house arrest by UN soldiers, escaped and was eventually given to the Katangan government, who executed him on January 17, 1961.
• Driver ants (the ants that attacked the village in The Poisonwood Bible) are carnivorous and are able to strip chickens to their bones in a day or two. They are able to sting, but prefer to use their large, sharp mandibles to attack their prey.
• Malaria is a parasitic disease that multiplies within red blood cells. It infects about 300-500 million people every year and kills 1-3 million of the people that were infected.