How does Adichie strikingly convey the experience and effects of violence in
Purple Hibiscus?
Purple Hibiscus is set in postcolonial Nigeria, a country beset by political instability and
economic difficulties. The central character is Kambili Achike, aged fifteen for much of the
period covered by the book, a member of a wealthy family in Enugu State, dominated by her
devoutly Catholic father, Eugene. Adiche conveys the experience and effects of violence in
Purple hibiscus by showing the contrast between Papa and Ifeoma's family. The first point is
that since Aunty Ifeoma’s teaching methods don’t include violence (unlike Papa) her children
can express their own opinions and they have freedom of speech. The second point is that
Ifeoma is loved by her children and Papa is feared by his children due to his harsh violent
punishments. The third point is that they both teach Catholicism to their kids differently, Aunty
Ifeoma is not so strict with the religion and allows her kids to explore other religions, while
Papa abuses his children to be prejudiced against heathens.
As I said before the first point is that since Aunty Ifeoma’s teaching methods don’t include
violence, her children can express their own opinions and they have freedom of speech unlike
Kambili. Papa Eugene oppresses his children from having individuality. On the other hand,
Aunty Ifeoma is more understanding to her children’s decisions in life and uses more peaceful
means to bring her points across. She treats her children with respect, encouraging them to
debate and speak their minds. A quote that proves this is: “I did not say anything else until
lunch was over, but I listened to every word spoken, followed every cackle of laughter and line
of banter. Mostly, my cousins did the talking and Aunty Ifeoma sat back and watched them".
, Kambili doesn’t say anything because in her home, if anyone in her family expressed their true
feelings/opinions, they would have to face Papa’s violent punishments. At dinner in the family
home, everyone is always complementing Papa, other than that there is an eerie silence. This
can be proven in this extract from the book:” Pass the salt please, Papa said. We all reached for
the salt at the same time... I passed it to Papa. The silence stretched out even more”. This
extract shows the effect of Papa’s violence, he doesn’t allow Kambili to have freedom of
speech, she only says/does things Papa would approve. When everyone reaches out for the salt
it shows that they are like Puppets that Papa controls through violence, this is obviously very
different from Ifeoma’s house. Papa’s violence does not encourage Kambili to grow and
succeed, he only threatens them with failure, this takes a toll on Jaja, who is ashamed that he is
so far behind Obiora in both intelligence and protecting his family. This is proven in the quote:
“I should have taken care of Mama. Look how Obiora balances Aunty Ifeoma's family on his
head, and I am older than he is. I should have taken care of Mama.”
The second point is that Ifeoma is loved by her children and Papa is feared by his children
due to his harsh punishments. Kambili lives in fear of her father, a violent Catholic patriarch
who, although is respected in the community, is repressive and extremely religious at home.
Papa is very controlling even when Kambili and Jaja are in Nnsuka. He sets up schedules for
Kambili and Jaja and because of that Kambili never watches television, thus when Amaka asks
Kambili why she does not watch television, Kambili does not voice her explanation which she so
desperately wanted to. The word “schedule” has connotations of power and authority. The fact
that Kambili stayed silent when Amaka asked her about watching television illustrates the
prevalent presence of silence in the novel. The silence is not only a form of oppression in Purple
Purple Hibiscus?
Purple Hibiscus is set in postcolonial Nigeria, a country beset by political instability and
economic difficulties. The central character is Kambili Achike, aged fifteen for much of the
period covered by the book, a member of a wealthy family in Enugu State, dominated by her
devoutly Catholic father, Eugene. Adiche conveys the experience and effects of violence in
Purple hibiscus by showing the contrast between Papa and Ifeoma's family. The first point is
that since Aunty Ifeoma’s teaching methods don’t include violence (unlike Papa) her children
can express their own opinions and they have freedom of speech. The second point is that
Ifeoma is loved by her children and Papa is feared by his children due to his harsh violent
punishments. The third point is that they both teach Catholicism to their kids differently, Aunty
Ifeoma is not so strict with the religion and allows her kids to explore other religions, while
Papa abuses his children to be prejudiced against heathens.
As I said before the first point is that since Aunty Ifeoma’s teaching methods don’t include
violence, her children can express their own opinions and they have freedom of speech unlike
Kambili. Papa Eugene oppresses his children from having individuality. On the other hand,
Aunty Ifeoma is more understanding to her children’s decisions in life and uses more peaceful
means to bring her points across. She treats her children with respect, encouraging them to
debate and speak their minds. A quote that proves this is: “I did not say anything else until
lunch was over, but I listened to every word spoken, followed every cackle of laughter and line
of banter. Mostly, my cousins did the talking and Aunty Ifeoma sat back and watched them".
, Kambili doesn’t say anything because in her home, if anyone in her family expressed their true
feelings/opinions, they would have to face Papa’s violent punishments. At dinner in the family
home, everyone is always complementing Papa, other than that there is an eerie silence. This
can be proven in this extract from the book:” Pass the salt please, Papa said. We all reached for
the salt at the same time... I passed it to Papa. The silence stretched out even more”. This
extract shows the effect of Papa’s violence, he doesn’t allow Kambili to have freedom of
speech, she only says/does things Papa would approve. When everyone reaches out for the salt
it shows that they are like Puppets that Papa controls through violence, this is obviously very
different from Ifeoma’s house. Papa’s violence does not encourage Kambili to grow and
succeed, he only threatens them with failure, this takes a toll on Jaja, who is ashamed that he is
so far behind Obiora in both intelligence and protecting his family. This is proven in the quote:
“I should have taken care of Mama. Look how Obiora balances Aunty Ifeoma's family on his
head, and I am older than he is. I should have taken care of Mama.”
The second point is that Ifeoma is loved by her children and Papa is feared by his children
due to his harsh punishments. Kambili lives in fear of her father, a violent Catholic patriarch
who, although is respected in the community, is repressive and extremely religious at home.
Papa is very controlling even when Kambili and Jaja are in Nnsuka. He sets up schedules for
Kambili and Jaja and because of that Kambili never watches television, thus when Amaka asks
Kambili why she does not watch television, Kambili does not voice her explanation which she so
desperately wanted to. The word “schedule” has connotations of power and authority. The fact
that Kambili stayed silent when Amaka asked her about watching television illustrates the
prevalent presence of silence in the novel. The silence is not only a form of oppression in Purple
