¶ … Poisonwood Bible," by Barbara Kingsolver. Specifically, it will respond to this quote: "Misunderstanding is my cornerstone. It's everyone's come to think of it. Illusions mistaken for truth are the pavement under our feet. They are what we call civilization."

MISUNDERSTANDING

Everyone lives under illusions of some type of another, and some illusions are absolutely necessary for sanity and the success of civilization. If we truly believed everything in print, on the news, and on the Internet, we would go crazy. Misunderstandings and illusions are necessary to keep a balance in ourselves, and in our society. For example, the illusion, mistaken for the truth, that most politicians are honest keeps Americans voting in elections, and makes them believe that local, state, and national government is still being run by the people, when it is in reality mostly run by the big business special interest groups and lobbyists who wield the most power. However, the illusion that we still have a say in government keeps us relatively happy, and keeps people writing letters to the editor and to their Congressional representatives. They think their voice has a place and a meaning in politics, and it keeps them content. If the illusion that we really participate in governmental affairs was to fall apart, we could face anarchy and revolt, and the government could crumble, along with our democratic society. While our government is not perfect, it is certainly far better than many other alternatives, and so, some illusions are necessary to keep it intact.

Thus, this statement is not only correct; it is a viable fact of everyday life. There is a fine line between truth and illusion, and sometimes, illusions are necessary to keep society grounded on the "pavement under their feet." Illusions are not always a bad thing, and sometimes the truth can hurt too much to use, so illusions keep the peace, and keep the people happy.

Bibliography

Demarr, Mary Jean. Barbara Kingsolver: A Critical Companion. Ed. Klein, Kathleen Gregory. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1999.

Kingsolver, Barbara. The Poisonwood Bible. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1998.