In "The Poisonwood Bible," the narrator reflects on her relationship with her mother and her sister Leah. She acknowledges that she learned from Leah's errors rather than practicing things herself, which allowed her to prepare for tasks while avoiding direct failure. This dynamic highlights a sense of admiration towards Leah, who was more daring, while the narrator took a more cautious approach.
The narrator feels her mother is attentive because she has remained close by, unlike her siblings. However, she contends that despite not making outward mistakes, she has experienced her own internal struggles and failures. This introspection reveals a complex understanding of growth and learning, emphasizing that mistakes can manifest in different forms.