These notes include a detailed summary of the characters and themes of the novel, as well as a deep look into reviews of the novel. It is broken up into sections. Many quotes are given in order to help with essays.
Disclaimer: these are summaries of the notes / resources given to me from my lecturer + tutor. I do not
own any of this information
Table of Contents
General Notes....................................................................................................................2
Characters .........................................................................................................................3
Kambili.........................................................................................................................................3
Jaja ..............................................................................................................................................3
Eugene .........................................................................................................................................3
Beatrice .......................................................................................................................................3
Aunty Ifeoma................................................................................................................................4
Amaka..........................................................................................................................................4
Papa Nnukwu...............................................................................................................................4
Symbols / Themes..............................................................................................................5
Silence .........................................................................................................................................5
Surveillance / Torture...................................................................................................................5
Religion........................................................................................................................................5
Patriarchy.....................................................................................................................................5
Chapter Summaries ...........................................................................................................6
Parts ............................................................................................................................................6
Stobie Article......................................................................................................................6
Fwangyil article..................................................................................................................7
Narrating the Self...............................................................................................................9
Tunca article....................................................................................................................10
, General Notes
Is the text feminist? Bildungsroman
Adichie: writing voice: authorial. Different to Kambili’s voice. Characterisation, narrative,
perspective, plot structure, setting, temporality
Must understand how authorial voice interferes with story – Adichie is Nigerian and relates
closely to Kambili
Must remember who is speaking, from what viewpoint, in what voice (Kambili speaks freely
+ directly to the reader; has no authority, no persuasive and convincing force, grasp of reality
isn’t strong and disinterested)
Child narrator: has no authority / persuasive voice; not trying to convince the reader of
anything; no agency (more intimate view into life)
Post-colonial: explores effect of ideologies of West + Catholicism + how it’s effecting society
today
Nigeria 1990s: civil war; coups; 3 republics; newspapers shut down after president annuls
new presidential candidate, post-colonial
Expect limited view of other characters
Subjectivity: inability to blame father for the abuse. Still thinks it’s their fault.
She doesn’t speak a lot but she pays attention to detail so that’s how the readers inhabit the
characters’ mind. She doesn’t present things as inadequacies but we are able to arrive at that
conclusion due to how much detail she gives
Novel about childhood: 17yr old narrator (memory, remembering)
She says it how it is, doesn’t need a filter, doesn’t mediate what she says (abuse is very
clear). Gives abuse a gravity: is Kambili still innocent? Haunting because she is powerless in
situation (believes it is initially for her own good)
Involved in rational process of self, one that she explores from a distance + reflects through
process of memory – she is a participant observer + leaves judgement to the reader
Bildungsroman:
Kind of novel that focuses on psych + moral growth of its main character from their youth to
adulthood (K+J move away from dad’s way of looking at the world, and stop judging family for
not being perfectly Catholic through interacting with cousins// Jaja learns to take charge in
house etc in a way he never has – grows his masculinity)
Story of growing up of sensitive person who looks for answers to questions through different
experiences. Usually starts with loss / tragedy that disturbs K emotionally. Leaves on a journey to
fill that vacuum
During journey, protagonist gains maturity gradually + with difficulty. Plot depicts conflict
between K + values of society. They accept those values + are accepted by society, ending
dissatisfaction
Coming of Age
Public violence leaks into lives of family
Nigerian Literary traditions
1. Generation: challenging images + stereotypes of Nigerians perpetuated by colonial rule
2. Gen: highly critical lit of gov, contemporary Nigeria
3. Gen: diasporic, hybridity
Location; setting; descriptions
Examples of shift: 193-195; 279-281; 302-304
- Political commentary on Nigerian military rule (dictator vs oppressed citizens)
- Feminist POV: Kambili’s narration of violence suggestive of normalcy of abuse
2
Mariska Bester 2019
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