I found this idea of Kingsolver's to be the basis of her book The Bean Trees . Kingsolver develops the story of a strong young woman, named Taylor Greer, who is determined to establish her own individuality. The character learns that she must balance this individualism with a commitment to her community of friends, and in doing this, her life is immeasurably enriched.
Many books speak of family, community, and individuality.
I believe, however, that the idea that Barbara Kingsolver establishes in her book, The Bean Trees , of a strong sense of individualism, consciously balanced with a keen understanding of community as extended family, is a relatively new idea to the genre of the American novel. The balance of the individual and community is a prevalent theme throughout The Bean Trees . Kingsolver organizes the book by first introducing us to Taylor's unique individuality and then combining that with the community ideal. The first chapter of the book takes place in Kentucky where Taylor lives with her mother. Through the incidents in Taylor's early life, we come to recognize her strong resolve to be individual.