Purple Hibiscus - Reading Questions + Characterizations

What is the significance of Aunty Ifeoma stating to Jaja "Defiance is like marijuana—it is not a bad thing when it is used right" when discussing the legendary king of ethnic Nigerians Jaja of Opobo (144)?

Aunty Ifeoma is telling Jaja that defiance can be helpful and productive and can do him some good. It shows support in controlled aspects the the Nigerians Jaja of Opobo

How does the conversation with Father Amadi at the football field open the door for Kambili to question her father's rules?

Father Amadi is a male religious figure but unlike the other religious figures in her life she can talk to him and ask questions without being afraid of if her questions are sin worthy or not. She is not not afraid to begin to form her own beliefs because of him.

The first revealing example of Papa's violence occurs when Mama, Jaja, and Kambili are beaten for breaking the Eucharistic fast before church. After the beating, Papa "crushed" Jaja and Kambili into his body to hug them and asked if the "belt hurt" (102). Why does Adichie utilize the word "crushed" to describe a hug? What are other word choices during that violent incident that help create the author's tone?

A hug is supposed to be a comforting and calming thing, but Papa is violent, and even him trying to show a movement of care turns into something unpleasant and violent and painful.

Ade Coker/Yewande Coker

Ade Coker is a small, round, laughing man. Always smiling, dimples, looks like a stuffed doll. Wears glasses. Not afraid to speak out and stand up for his people as he defied the soldiers in his editorial. The significance of Ade is that he works for Papa and goes to jail due to one of his recent editorials. Yewande was talkative and nice to the children, very friendly. She is significant because she is the wife of Ade and went to Papa when he was taken by the soldiers. (56)

Why was Ade Coker arrested? What are the implications of his arrest in regards to the Head of State using violence to suppress and discourage free speech? Explain.

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. The implications involving his arrest are that speech against the state is not tolerable and will not go unpunished.

What are some examples of Amaka's rejection of the Eurocentric colonial mindset? Why might her viewpoint be significant in relation to the previous question?

Amaka wears what clothes and makeup she wants, and listens to traditional and rebellious music. If the book were narrated through her eyes, I am sure that we would see a much different perception towards the world around her as she is more biased to reject strict religion which for a majority of the time kambili firmly hold on to.

How have Nigerian politics also "silenced" Aunty Ifeoma? What is significant about the fact that the women in the novel are silenced at some point or another?

Aunty Ifeoma gets fired from her university job and can no longer share her influences and beliefs with her students. Women being silenced is significagant because throughout history, not only in African, women have been silenced because women sharing their thoughts and beliefs and speaking out is seen as a threat to government.

Amaka

Aunty Ifeoma's eldest daughter, fifteen years old. She is fiercely loyal to her Nigerian roots despite her Catholic upbringing. Amaka is critical of her cousin's wealth and meekness. Overtime, Amaka and Kambili come to understand one another and a sisterly bond is forged through adversity.

Obiora

Aunty Ifeoma's eldest son, fourteen years old. Since the death of his father, Obiora has assumed the role of man of the house. He is questioning and mature and delights in intellectual debate. Obiora inspires Jaja to open his eyes.

Chima

Aunty Ifeoma's youngest boy, seven years old. Chima is the baby and does not yet have many responsibilites. He clings onto his mother and to both Obiora and Father Amadi. It is clear he misses a male role model.

Father Benedict

British Catholic Priest at St. Agnes. Sees Catholocism as a set of rules like Papa (Eugene) Been at St. Agnes for seven years Favored Papa - called Papa one of the pillars of the community based of his devoutness Changed things in the parish in accordance to European culture (No more speaking Igbo, now speaking latin in services, clapping is kept at a minimum).

When describing the lumps of fufu that Aunty Ifeoma uses to "bury" Papa-Nnukwu's tablets in, the image the narrator uses to compare them to is "spherical coffins" (163). Why is this word choice significant?

Coffins are a symbol of death, and Papa-Nnukwu needs the pills to get better otherwise he'll die. This could be foreshadowing his death.

How does the impact of colonialism, including the economic divide between the classes, become evident during chapter 5?

Colonialism becomes evident in how the older generation, such as Papa, is greatly divided in relation to the younger generation who has grown up to be colonized by Westerners, and aren't able to connect to the old cultural ways such as the older generation. The new generation such as Papa's generation has more money than the older classes, which we see in the evidence of how papa slips money to his father through a driver, and offers him a car and more items of wealth if he were to abandon his culture and convert and allow himself to be colonized.

Papa (Eugene)

Father of Jaja and Kambili Abusive: beats his family, especially his wife, for challenging his beliefs Invested in the catholic religion: he distributes the ashes on ash wednesday, sits in the front pew at mass, donates money, kneels at communion, and visits Fr. Benedict who speaks highly of Papa. Controlling: creates schedules that the family must follow He doesn't like his father because he "worships false gods" Highly regarded: "Papas title was omelora, after all, The one who does for the community" Owner and writer for The Standard Owner of many businesses Builds the school a library Rich and throws away money on house servants, drivers, and handouts

For what, in Papa's eyes, did Mama need to be forgiven? What is ironic about Papa's beliefs and his actions?

In papa's eyes mama needed to be forgiven for loosing the baby, and the irony is that Papa uses faith to justify all that happens in the world yet blames mama for loosing the baby which she couldn't control.

Consider Kambili's statement, "I was stained by failure" (39). What mood or tone does this create for the reader?

It creates the hopeless mood that Kambili will never be someone who can live up to the standards set for her because the metaphor compares her "failures" to stains which last for forever and don't go away.

Where does the theme of governmental corruption appear in this chapter? Cite 2-3 examples, then analyze how the lack of a democratic government directly impacts the rights of the people

Papa-Nnukwu is treated poorly at the hospital and Kambili who was taught to be prejudice against his religion views Papa-Nnukwu's views before she sees them for herself.

Because the Igbo are a patriarchal society, marriage holds the utmost significance in order to procreate and continue the family line. However, it is common for a man who has a barren wife to procreate with a woman other than his wife, or even take a second wife. Why is it significant that Mama pointed out Papa's rejection of other women to her own children? (20). What does the reader learn about Mama's character through these comments?

It is significant because it shows Papa's commitment to converting to European ways, it shows mama as analytical and supportive of papa's commitment to her, and appreciative of him.

After Ade Coker's assassination, Kambili starts to have violent nightmares (207). What is symbolic about Kambili replacing herself in the nightmare for Ade's daughter, and her father for Ade?

It is symbolic because Kambili is placing herself in Ade's daughters shoes, and is seeing her once indestructible all powerful father in a light of desctructible and vulnerable to the dangers and tradgedy that Ade and his family faced after his assassination. She is also seeing herself as vulnerable, and this is a coming of age moment as she is realizing the imperfections of the world. This is shows juxtaposition and extended metaphor as the violence of the state, which is a real threat to papa and his family, also mirrors papa's violence and demand for obedience in his home.

How is the theme of perception versus reality reflected through Kambili and her classmates? How is it reflected through the Achike family thus far in the novel?

Perception vs. reality is a huge theme because Kambili and her classmates views and outlook on the world are very much determined by their parents' influences and teachers' influences and sometimes the beliefs of those who they grow up around and are raised by are very biased towards on interpretation of the reality at hand. The Achike family's children, including Kambili are, have a very biased view of reality, for instance, as Papa has taught them that all other ways besides strict European Christianity is wrong.

What is the purpose and effect of the following simile that the narrator uses to describe Jaja's defiance toward his father: "Jaja's defiance seemed to me now like Aunty Ifeoma's experimental purple hibiscus: rare, fragrant with the undertones of freedom, a different kind of freedom from the one the crowds waving green leaves chanted at Government Square after the coup. A freedom to be, to do"? (16).

The comparison ties in the theme of the purple hibiscuses, and shows Jaja as representative of the hibiscuses in the fact that he is one of the rare family members to not be completely submissive in nature towards papa/colonizers ways.

Sisi

The passive servant girl in the Achike household. Sisi provides Mama with the poison used to kill Papa.

Adichie uses the rhetorical device anaphora, or the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses, when she writes "I needed him to touch the back of my neck..." and "I need him to hug me..." and "I needed him to smile at me..." (39). What is the purpose and effect of this device?

The purpose of this device is to emphasize the intense feeling of need.

The paragraph immediately after Kambili and Jaja scrubbing Mama's blood off of the floor is about an execution that was shown on television. What is the significance of this event and the characters' reaction to it following what they just witnessed with their parents?

The significance of the blood is that it symbolizes death and despair. After mama's miscarriage, there was blood all over the floor, the kids were unaware of what happened, so they silently cleaned the mess. This shows their blind obedience to orders that is expected in their home.

The narrator describes her mother's actions after Papa breaks the figurines and adds imagery of her mother two weeks prior "when her swollen eye was still the black-purple color of an overripe avocado..." (10-11). What can we infer from this description of Kambili's mother? What can we infer from the casual way Kambili inserts this description?

We can infer that physical abuse done by the father is a common and regular occurrance in this household and that Kambili's mother is a bearer of some of the abuse.

Chinwe Jideze

comes from a wealthy family Went to London for holiday bratty/spoiled Pays for her friends Bought people soft drinks Thinks Kambili is "too big"

Ezinne

only one that was being nice to Kambili

Jaja

is protector JaJa is Kambili's brother. he is 17 years old he is a very quiet kid and a very smart kid, always gets first in his class. He doesn't have any physical traits He has a secret passion for change, something his dad wouldn't approve of he has a significance of having a influence on his little sister and it's basically both him and kambili together in a battle against their dad.

Kambili overhears Aunty Ifeoma and her friend discussing the leadership at the university, and Obiora explains, "The university becomes a microcosm of the country" (224). Look up the definition of microcosm and analyze what Obiora means in regards to the spread of tyranny.

Definition: a little world especially : the human race or human nature seen as an epitome (see epitome sense 1) of the world or the universe. Obiora means that the spread of tyranny often becomes something where the tyranny doesn't extend very far outside of a certain controlled community, but the pure concentration of tyranical control makes it seem like there is nothing else in the world outside of the tyranical control.

Why is Aunty Ifeoma's house searched? Why is she warned by the special security men to "be careful"? (231).

Her house is searched because the security men claim they have a warrant saying that Aunty Ifeoma is suspected of helping to incite a riot. They warn her to be careful to scare her, and to enforce the thin line she walks and the true power of the forces she faces.

What is the significance of Jaja killing the chicken with a "precision...a single mindedness that was cold, clinical"? (235). How has Kambili begun to see her brother? Is their bond as strong as it was in the past? Why or why not?

Kambili begings to see her brother in a new light, as never before would he show such violence. It is reflective of the violence that he has endured from Papa. Kambili and her brother's bond is not as strong as the past as he is becoming more like papa and falling more victim to the cycle of abuse.

Why is Aunty Ifeoma's "fearlessness" uncomfortable and forbidding to Kambili? (76). How does Kambili's outlook about Papa change when Ifeoma is interacting with him? How does she disrupt the order of Papa's family?

It is uncomfortable and forbdding because she is taught by papa and his abuse to be more subservient so this is a new type of behavior for her to witness. Kambili's outlook of papa changes as Ifeoma interacts with him because no longer is papa this huge scary contorl monster, but Ifeoma actually has some control over papa to make him listen to her, therefore she is disruptive of papa's commanding role in the family.

Due to Papa's increasing weakness and loss of familial control, Jaja, Kambili, and Mama all seem to change due to the shift in power. Give one specific example of each of the character's growing assertions due to the altered family dynamics.

Jaja - skips palm Sunday, eats dinners alone in room despite Papa's orders Kambili - Begins to laugh herself and begins to speak out and speak her mind Mama - Doesn't try hiding food she sneaks to Jaja, stops lowering her voice

Why are Kambili and Jaja instructed to stay at Papa-Nnukwu's house for only 15 minutes? What does Papa's traditionalist father constantly remind him of?

Kambili and Jaja were instructed to stay for only 15 minutes because Papa doesn't want his traditionalist father to rub off his traditional religious ideas on the kids. His father reminds him constantly of uncivilized pre-colonization living and his father's beliefs do not help his image he is trying to create of a reformed man.

When Jaja and Kambili discuss wanting to go to Nsukka, why does her throat tighten "at the thought of five days without Papa's voice, without his footsteps on the stairs"? (108).

Kambili has become to accustomed and groomed to the way her Papa treats her, and without his enforcing rules of obedience and her trying to always please him, she doesn't have much of her own identity.

Adichie makes it clear in this chapter that Nigeria is now ruled by a military regime, and therefore the soldiers can act with exemption from punishment. How is the theme of freedom versus tyranny illustrated through Kambili's thoughts and comments in this chapter?

Kambili is confused because she doesn't know whether or not to embrace the freedom of the regime or to fear it, for example, she wonders what it would be like shouting freedom in the streets, but she also visualizes a man held at gunpoint with hands in the air.

After Kambili calls Papa-Nnukwu a heathen again, Aunty Ifeoma wants her to see her grandfather's rituals and to teach her about his faithfulness to his traditionalist beliefs (167-168). How do Kambili's views change after watching the full ritual? Did this scene affect your perspective or understanding in any way? Explain.

Kambili views change when Aunty Ifeoma exposes her to the Igbo culture. She experienced Papa-Nnukwu prayers of each of his family members. She pays attention to the smile on his face after he's done with the ritual. She understand and respects him more afterwards. I feel like I have a better understanding of the Igbo traditions.

Aunty Ifeoma covers for Jaja when Chima asks him about his deformed finger (145). However, Kambili wonders how her aunt knows about the incident, and Jaja says when Aunty asked, he told her the truth. What is peculiar about Kambili's thoughts regarding telling the truth about these situations? Why does she want to remain loyal to her family's secret?

Kambili wants to be loyal to her family's secrets showing that papa still has control over her. Kambili avoids the truth because it would ruin her image of papa if she let herself be exposed to the truth.

Amaka asks Kambili if it was her father who hurt her and, for the first time, she admits to the truth. Why won't Kambili look at Amaka to see her reaction to this response? Does Papa still have "control" over her?

Kambili won't look at Amaka because she still feels fear and shame over the abuse from papa, and she has been conditioned by papa to think that the abuse is normal. Should she look at Amaka and see her concerned and upset facial response, it would be a reaction that would go against what papa feels to be respectful and justified, therefore we see the control papa's consistent demands for obedience and self-justification have over Kambili.

When Aunty Ifeoma laughed about the schedule Papa gave his children to follow while visiting, Kambili's "mouth felt dry," her "tongue clinging to the roof" of her mouth (124). Why does Kambili yearn for the strict order and silence of her home? How do the family dynamics differ in each household, and why are the differences significant?

Kambili yearns for strict order and silence because she puts all her self worth into the project of trying to gain Papa's approval. Kambili has also grown up in her house on structure and routine so it is what's familiar and comfortable to her compared to hr aunt and cousin's house where there are chores expected, but also more fun and laughing and joking.

Analyze Kambili's internal dialogue when she states: "She seemed so happy, so at peace, and I wondered how anybody around me could feel that way when liquid fire was raging inside of me, when fear was mingling with hope and clutching itself around my ankles"(174).

Kambili's innocence is being taken away by seeing the violence and destruction of the world around her.

What has the reader learned about Kambili thus far through the way she perceives her surroundings and through other people's views of her? In what ways does Kambili's narration of the story affect your perception of Nigeria and the Igbo people?

Kambili's narration affects me because not only is it interesting to see the world seh is growing up in from s young person's point of view, but it helps me to understand the why behind different characters viewpoints and beliefs are held, tradition and untraditional.

Mama flees to Aunty Ifeoma's house after Papa breaks a small table over her belly, killing the fetus Mama was carrying (248), and after Mama speaks with Papa, "she looked like a different woman from the one who had come out of the taxi that morning" (250). What excuses does Mama make to Ifeoma for Papa's violence? Why do you think she continues to defend him?

Mama is stuck in a cycle of abuse and says that Papa has alot of stress on his plate and hasn't been feeling well, so what he did is excusable. I think because she is stuck in the cycle, she has been conditioned by Papa and groomed to the point of not knowing any other way of life without him, so she's too scared and dependent to leave.

Mama (Beatrice)

Mama is very soft and delicate, quiet, goal is to make sure she doesn't upset her husband, refuses to leave her husband, from a religious father, she has ballet figurines, chooses to not react to her husband, does what shes told, has had multiple miscarriages, kind of has stockholm syndrome, she is important because she can show the extent of papa's abuse and she is the soft loving figure in her children's life

The military coups of Nigeria were both successful and unsuccessful since the country's independence from the British Empire in 1960. The coups discussed in the novel were a permanent feature of Nigerian culture from 1966-1999. What did Papa mean when he stated "But what we Nigerians needed was not soldiers ruling us, what we needed was a renewed democracy"? (25).

Papa means that they needed the European governmental culture, but not the violence from the soldiers to get organized.

Aunty Ifeoma comes to visit and when speaking to Mama, calls her "nwunye m," or "my wife" (73). Why is it significant that she accepts Mama in such a way? What does Papa's reaction to that term of endearment tell the reader about his beliefs?

Papa said it is "remnants of ungodly traditions", which again shows readers his rejection of traditional cultural beliefs. The term is significant because it means that Aunty Ifeoma accepts mama as her wife too because she is papa's wife and part of the family.

List several examples found throughout the chapter that reflect the economic differences between Papa's family and Aunty Ifeoma's family. Why is it important to note these differences? What can the reader infer about Kambili's views about these differences surrounding her family?

Papa uses gas for stove and Ifeoma uses kerosene Papa has a satellite TV and gives out money, something new to Ifeoma's children These differences are important because they show the wealth difference between different classes/cultural colonization which Kambili is filled with wonderment about.

Aunty Ifeoma

Papa's sister who teaches at the University in nearby Nsukka. Ifeoma is widowed, caring for three children on a meager salary. She is liberal and outspoken but also a devout Catholic. Unlike her brother, she respects the religion and traditions of her father. Her way of life inspires Kambili and Jaja to rethink their own upbringing.

What is Papa-Nnukwu's take on religion?

Papa-Nnukwu respects religion but only follows his own beliefs, he is very non judgemental, but in the end sticks to his traditions.

Papa Nnukwu

Physical Traits : He is an old grandfather man, a bit on the rugged side. He is bald on his head. Could be sick or just old but is asked about his health and replies with just being okay. Personality : He is a nice man but his views do not align with those of his sons. He is a pagan worshiper instead of a Catholic faith follower. This causes a divide between him and Papa. He stays strong in his beliefs and tries to have Papa understand that people have differences and are different. This reminds us that he is a very intelligent and wise, like an old wise owl. Significance : His significance to the book is his strong defiance. He does not argue with Papa in a violent way, he just refuses to abandon his traditional beliefs. He represents the traditional Igbo people in the story. Most of the other characters respect him for this but not all of them.

Why are Aunty Ifeoma's hibiscuses purple, rather than another color? Of what are they a result? Why is their existence significant to the story thus far?

Purple hibiscuses are very unique and special, and it symbolizes freedom from conformity.

Daughters of the Immaculate Heart

School Kambili attends, Papa donates heavily to

Kambili

She is very smart and 2nd in her class. She is also blind when it comes to her father and his abuse. She always wants to please her father but then she gets scared of him because he's afraid to fail him. She is 15 years old and the youngest child. She is the narrator. She has a very complicated relationship with her whole family especially her father

Kevin

The Achikes' driver. Mama fires him after Papa dies.

Analyze the impact of the following simile: "Silence hung over the table like the blue-black clouds in the middle of rainy season" (32). What tone does it create and why is it significant?

The descriptive words create a tone of darkness which is significant because it is direct foreshadowing of mama's miscarriage. The children are unaware of the future misscarriage, but papa has seen this before and anticipates it.

As they arrive at their home in Enugu, Jaja notes "the purple hibiscuses are about to bloom" (253). What do they symbolize? Why does Jaja mention them right before the flashback to Chapter 1?

The purple hibiscuses symbolize freedom, as they begin to bloom right before Jaja is about to break free from papa's influence and begin to assert his independence. Palm Sunday rolls around and Jaja refuses to go to service

What does the reader learn about Kambili's perception of Mama and Papa's love for one another? (21). Why is this significant for the reader?

The reader learns that she doesn't have many visual examples of love between mama and papa, and love between them is not a concept that is regularly shown consistently in the household.

What is the significance of Father Benedict's eyes being described as "the same green shade of a snake..."? (105).

The significance is that all throughout the mass Father Benedict talked about giving money to the church rather than God. Green symbolizes greed and a snake symbolizes something ominous with alterior motives.

What do Mama's figurines, Kambili's painting, and Jaja's purple hibiscus provide for all three characters in a world of unhinged violence?

They provide a sense of fragility and vulnerability amongst a world of unhinged violence.

Explain Kambili's metaphorical statement: "I felt, looking at her, that I was helplessly watching precious flaxen sand slip away between my fingers" (93). What theme does this figurative language develop?

This relates to the story and traditional dymbols of wealth and wellness and uses extended metaphor to create affect.

For the first time in the novel, the reader sees Aunty Ifeoma using violence to reprimand her child (245). Are Aunty Ifeoma and Papa more similar than it seems? Or does this act of violence represent something other than Papa's forms of discipline?

Though Aunty Ideoma shows violence as is Papa's norm, she does not show reckless violence. She explains the reasoning behind all of her violence and does not beat her children to the extent Papa takes things.

What does Papa mean when he says there are "fake pastors at those mushroom Pentecostal churches"? (208). What can the reader infer about Papa's beliefs and his hypocritical nature?

When papa says that he is criticizing those that practice a different form of Christianity, that does not conform perfectly to his beliefs. Papa feels only his version of Christian beliefs are perfect and validate his behavior, though those of the people speaking tongues as they feel guided to by their faith are invalidated by him. Further when his children cannot understand what he is praying, and say he may be speaking tongues, if he in fact is pseaking tongues, which he called sinful, than he is even mor ehypocritical.