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Purple Hibiscus - Summary & Analysis
This document contains an analysis of the novel 'Purple Hibiscus', with specific reference to the characters, places, themes and important quotations. It was created by a 91% English student.
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PURPLE HIBISCUSKate Jones
FLASHBACK
The novel is not in a chronological order. This represents the dysfunction in the Achike family.
The knowledge of the events of Palm Sunday also keeps the readers interested as they know
what is to come.
PAGES 19-36
1. Mama’s Role in the House
Mama keeps Papa entertained and provides Papa with children. She tries to keep peace in the
household and protect the children from Papa but does not directly stand up to Papa or confront
him about his actions – “Mama did not mind; there was so much she did not mind.” She uses her
figurines to release her anger at papa, and is numb to Papa’s violence – “there were never tears
on her face.”
2. The Relationship Between Jaja and Kambili
Jaja and Kambili are mostly united in their quietness and respect (and fear) for Papa. They do not
spend a lot of time together as Papa does not allow them to, but treasure the time they are with
each other. They use their eyes to communicate because words can be overheard. “Jaja and
mama and I spoke more with our spirits than with our lips.”
3. Jaja and Kambili’s Education
The children are sent to the best and fanciest catholic schools and are always expected to be
best. School, according to Papa, is not for making friends but rather for getting the best possible
education. For Papa, coming second is a choice and reflects purely on Jaja and Kambili’s mindset
rather than another student’s increased effort. He believes that the children need to come first
to show God that they appreciate their privileges and the gifts He has given them. “Because God
has given you much, He expects much from you.” ”But I had come second. I was stained by
failure.”
, 4. Papa’s Control of the Family
Papa dominates his family. He does not allow them to have their own opinions or views on
anything. He expects them to agree with him and praise him. “Papa liked order.” It is ironic
because his newspaper, The Standard, is the only one that speaks out about freedom and
opposes the Nigerian leaders, but his family is not allowed to criticise him, the leader of the
Achike family. He brainwashes his children and wife into believing that to feel love, they need to
feel pain. “It burned Papa’s love into me.” Papa always wanted to be seen as superior and kind,
although he did many things not out of the goodness of his heart but purely to keep his good
reputation. His household was silent as no one was allowed to talk unless talked to by Papa –” as
silent as our Sundays.” “Discipline was important.”
5. Mama’s Pregnancy
Mama has had many miscarriages and has struggled to have more babies after Jaja and Kambili.
She is often looked down on by the villagers as she could not provide for Papa. She and the
children are immensely grateful to Papa for not leaving her after she could not provide for him.
She finally falls pregnant again, but after her belly begins to bulge she starts to struggle with
morning sickness. She throws up at Father benedicts house embarrassing Papa even though she
requested to stay in the car so that this did not happen. At home, Papa beats her until she has a
miscarriage – “there’s blood on the floor”- but Mama does not blame Papa. “There was an
accident. The baby is gone.” The loss of her soon-to-be sibling and the sight of Mama’s blood
haunts Kambili for a long time.
6. The Military Coup and Papa’s Job
Papa owns The Standard, the only newspaper that dares to criticize the Nigerian government.
The military coup shocks Papa, and he talks to his family about it without letting them form their
own opinions or ideas. The coup eventually leads to the death of Ade Coker (the newspaper’s
editor), a death that shocks the Achike family deeply.
KAMBILI – PAGES 37-51
After seeing her mother’s blood and hearing of her miscarriage, Kambili struggles to study and
concentrate on her schoolwork. She receives a very good report but comes second in her class.
She feels “stained by failure”, and is terrified of what Papa might do. She both idolizes and fears
Papa. Her father is proud of Kambili as she tries to say the right things, always wanting to please
him, but he becomes angry with her if she makes even the smallest of missteps. The girls at school
think she is a “backyard snob” because she does not socialize with them and does not wait to talk
to them after school. As soon as school ends she runs to Kevin’s car, not out of choice but because
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