Purple Hibiscus Chapter 1-4

Peugeot 505

French car from the 80's

What is Papa's reaction to the new priest?

He claims he is godless and people like him who blend traditional African ways with the church are troublemakers.

When at the school, why do you think Papa changes his accent to sound more British?

He did this to sound gracious, in the eager-to-please way that he always assumed with the religious, especially with the white religious.

Describe the atmosphere in the home, give one example from the text:

Home is abusive and stressful. Kambili's father, Papa (Eugene Achike) is a strict authoritarian whose strict adherence to Catholicism overshadows his paternal love. He punishes his wife, Mama (Beatrice Achike), and his children when they fail to live up to his impossibly high standards.

Why is the church congregation shocked when the new priest sings Igbo songs?

Igbo songs are prohibited in the church and signing them would bring the church a lot of trouble.

Why does Kambili sit in her room and count to twenty?

Kambili hears her father abusing her mother. This is a familiar sound. She sits and closes her eyes and counts to twenty. Usually, the noises end by the time she reaches twenty. By nineteen, her father leaves his room with Mama slung over his shoulder. Jaja and Kambili watch as he takes her outside.

Why does Chinwe call Kambili a "backyard snob"?

Kambili is called that because she does not talk to anyone and Chinwe believes that Kambili sees herself as too big or better than everyone else.

What changes is Kambili noticing because of the coup outside of the home?

Kambili notices a change in the atmosphere. Kambili notes an escalation of military presence. Soldiers line the main road armed with guns. They search cars at will, holding the drivers at the side of the road at gunpoint.

How does the family (Mama, Jaja and Kambili) interact with Papa/Eugene?

Kambili's Papa Eugene is a revered member of Enugu, Nigeria. A prominent and wealthy business leader, Eugene is praised by St. Agnes' white Father Benedict for using his power to spread the Gospel and speak the truth. However, inside his own home, he is a feared authoritarian and strict disciplinarian. Kambili notes the fading black eye of her Mama Beatrice. Kambili still takes pride in her father and his deeds, though he urges the family to stay humble.

What does Mama do for Kambili at the beginning of the chapter? What do her actions reveal about their relationship?

Mama tells Kambili that she is pregnant, and the baby is due in October. Mama is pleased with this, because after having Kambili she had several miscarriages.

What is Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal? What language do they sing in?

Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal prayer group consists of some women in Enugu. During the event, the sisters clap and sing in Igbo for half an hour and then Sisi brings in the feast she and Mama have prepared.

What do you think happened between Mama and Papa?

Papa abused Mama so she lost the baby.

What is Papa's role with the newspaper? What does he reveal after seeing Ade Coker?

Papa is the publisher of the paper. Papa reveals to his family that he is uneasy about the coup. In the 1960s, a cycle of bloody coups led to civil war. Military men will always violently overthrow other military men, he says.

When Kambili gets her report card, what is her ranking? And why is it a problem?

Papa will not be proud. He often tells his children he does not spend so much money on tuition so that his children can be second. His godless father never paid a cent for his own education and he always ranked first. Papa will punish her for being second.

What is a love sip, and what does it reveal about Papa?

Papa's "love sip" is a good encapsulation of his relationship with his children: The tea burns their tongues and causes them pain, but it proves that Papa loves them. They idolize, obey, and love Papa despite his violent punishments.

Describe Papa's room.

Papa's room is what Kambili imagined heaven to be like.

What do Kambili and Jaja agree to do for the new baby?

They both promise to protect him from Papa.

Describe how Kambili and Jaja communicate with their eyes.

They share thoughts that can't be spoken out loud.

missal

a book containing the texts used in the Catholic Mass throughout the year

monotone

a continuing sound, especially of a person's voice, that is unchanging in pitch and without intonation

demonstrator

a person who takes part in a public protest meeting or march

etagere

a piece of furniture with a number of open shelves for displaying ornaments

Coup

a sudden, violent, and unlawful seizure of power from a government

harmattan

a very dry, dusty easterly or northeasterly wind on the West African coast, occurring from December to February

turbulence

conflict; confusion

gracious

courteous, kind, and pleasant

meticulously

in a way that shows great attention to detail; very thoroughly

robust

strong and healthy; vigorous

Naira notes

the basic monetary unit of Nigeria

communion

the service of Christian worship at which bread and wine are consecrated and shared

solidarity

unity or agreement of feeling or action, especially amongindividuals with a common interest; mutual support within a group

Who is Ade Coker?

Ade Coker is the editor of the Standard.

Why was Ade Coker arrested?

Ade Coker was arrested because he is a journalist and the magazine The Standard posted an article claiming the head of state was drug trafficking.