Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's 'Purple Hibiscus'

970 Words2 Pages

Purple Hibiscus Essay

In the book Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the main protagonist, Kambili, struggles with her relationship with her father, Eugene. Kambili’s father, a very devout, strict and wealthy catholic. Eugene is kind to those in his community, providing money, food and acting kind towards those he meets. However, he is cold and unforgiving to his own family, often beating them and subjecting them to psychological cruelty. As a result, Kambili becomes unable to voice her own opinions and talking in a hushed voice becomes a habit for her. When she and her brother, Jaja goes to her aunt, Aunt Ifeoma, she discovers a completely different world. The experiences at her own house and the experiences that she had at …show more content…

With the conflict of complete opposite parent-child dynamics, Kambili compares and contrasts these two relationships and learns from each one of them to mature into a young woman. “Imagine what the Standard would be if we were all quiet.’ It was a joke. Ade Coker was laughing; so was his wife, Yewande. But Papa did not laugh. Jaja and I turned and went back upstairs, silently.” Although Papa and Ade Coker seek to reveal the truth about the Nigerian government through the Standard, the Achike children are urged not to tell the truth about their own lives. In Papa’s perspective, being a good Nigerian entails two things - exposing corruption and strict adherence to faith. Papa believes that it is his duty to deliver his country and children to heaven. He holds up both to extremely high standards. Even though he is considered a hero for fighting corruption, his actions inside his own home make him a monster as Mama, Jaja and Kambili come to realize. On the other hand, Aunt Ifeoma is very liberal towards her own children. As a result, Aunt Ifeoma’s children are confident, able to speak their own mind and inquisitive. “Morality, as well as the sense of taste, is relative.” Obiora, as the son of a university professor in African studies, is encouraged to question authority. This statement opposes what Kambili and Jaja are taught. They are only offered one path to success. This discourse is at the heart of the book. There are no moral absolutes in Purple Hibiscus. Kambili loves her father even though he abuses her and her faith remains strong even when it is used as a tool for repression. Kambili learns this on her journey. Therefore, Kambili and Jaja both mature into adults, after gaining two different perspectives on faith, religion and

Open Document