The Green Mamba Snake.

"I know what it is: it's a green mamba snake away up in the tree. You don't have to be afraid of them anymore because you are one. They lie so still of the tree branch; they are the same everything as the tree... Finally you are the highest one of all."
(Kingsolver 304.) 

In the last part of Book Three of The Posionwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver, the village of Kilanga is attacked by carnivorous ants. In panic mode and chaos, all of the Prices flee the scene of keen bites as fast as they could but chaos hinders the possibility to escape as a united  family. Orleanna, scared to save her four children, is torn in this situation because she is hesitance and confused about whether or not, or who to prioritize. Orleanna grabs Ruth May's hand and runs towards a boat where she is meant to stay safe. Scared out of her world, five-year Ruth is told to think about a happy place. She states the following quote then and there exposing her safe haven. I chose this quote because I can relate to Ruth's decision of choosing the habitat of a much feared creature as her safe haven. She understood the snakes were peaceful and  feared of, so what is there to be worry about?

Analysis: Ruth has a certain affinity towards the green mamba snakes of the Congo. Stating that she is one of them is a metaphor showing her hopes are to be fearless and calm, like snakes seem to be. Could it be that the snake represents the freedom she craves from the fear of her father's imperialistic nature and situation or could this be a clever warning foreshadowing a great tragedy?