Purple Hibiscus

Purple Hibiscus
for CAPE Literatures in English
By Lyniss Pitt

The Queen of the Tropics/rosa-sinensis

The Author
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie was born
on 15 September 1977 in Enugu, Nigeria, the fifth
of six children to Igbo parents, Grace Ifeoma and
James Nwoye Adichie. While the family's ancestral
hometown is Abba in Anambra State,
Chimamanda grew up in Nsukka, in the house
formerly occupied by Nigerian writer Chinua
Achebe. Chimamanda's father, who is now retired,
worked at the University of Nigeria, located in
Nsukka. He was Nigeria's first professor of
statistics, and later became Deputy Vice-
Chancellor of the University. Her mother was the
first female registrar at the same institution.
At the age of nineteen, Chimamanda
left for the United States. She gained a scholarship
to study communication at Drexel University in
Philadelphia for two years, and she went on to
pursue a degree in communication and political
science at Eastern Connecticut State University.
While in Connecticut, she stayed with her sister
Ijeoma, who runs a medical practice close to the
university.
Chimamanda graduated summa cum
laude from Eastern in 2001, and then completed a
master's degree in creative writing at Johns
Hopkins University, Baltimore.
It is during her senior year at Eastern
that she started working on her first novel, Purple
Hibiscus, which was released in October 2003. The
book has received wide critical acclaim: it was
shortlisted for the Orange Fiction Prize (2004) and
was awarded the Commonwealth Writers' Prize
for Best First Book (2005).

Significance of the title
The title Purple Hibiscus reflects the
theme of hybridity in the novel. The
experimental purple hibiscus in Aunty
Ifeoma’s garden represents not only
the clash of cultures experienced by
the characters in the novel, but
likewise a hope for a better future. In
contrast to the startling red hibiscuses
in Enugu which symbolize a violent
past, the purple hibiscuses in Nsukka
represent the new time.
Nigeria has gained its independence
from the British Empire but is
challenged by new conflicts in the
post-colonial era.

The Setting
Purple Hibiscus is set in postcolonial Nigeria, a
country beset by political instability and
economic difficulties.

Aokpe
The Virgin Mary began appearing in
October 1992 to a twelve-year-old girl
Christiana Agbo in Aokpe located in the
small village in a remote area of Nigeria.

The Plot
The book starts out with a very drastic event that happened in the
past. Jaja, Kambili's older brother, refuses communion at church. His father gets
very angry and throws a missal at him. The father continues to be angry with
Jaja.
The story then restarts as a flashback to before that event occurred.
Kambili and Jaja's mother tells them that she is pregnant, but the father beats
her soon after, causing a miscarriage.
Christmas time comes around, and the family goes to stay in Abba for a few
weeks in their holiday home. While they are there, Kambili and Jaja visit Papa-
Nnukwu, their paternal grandfather, who is not Catholic. They also meet their
Aunty Ifeoma and her children. Aunty Ifeoma tries to convince the father to let
Jaja and Kambili visit her in Nsukka, where she lives, but he is still unsure.
The family returns to their normal home in Enugu, and they receive a
call from Aunt Ifeoma, asking if the children could come visit her. The father
finally agrees, so the next day the children pack their things and are driven to
their aunt's house. The children soon discover that their
cousins, Amaka, Obiora, and Chima, live very different lives than they do. For
example, they aren't rich, but the most surprising difference is the way they
interact amongst themselves and with their mother. They have very open, casual
relationships. It is much more comfortable and free than it is in Jaja and Kambili's
home. At first, Kambili is very shy, and she doesn't really fit in with the rest of the
family, so Amaka shows hostility toward her for it. She is rude to her, and taunts
her about being rich. Kambili doesn't know why she is being so mean.

While they are visiting, Jaja and Kambili meet a young priest named Father
Amadi. He is very handsome and charming, and Kambili begins to have a crush on him. He
is very nice, and he helps her learn how to express herself and to overcome her shyness.
Also during the visit, Aunt Ifeoma receives a call informing her that Papa Nukwu
is very sick. She brings him back to her house so that she can take care of him. Kambili is
worried that her father will be angry because she will be staying in the same house as a
heathen, but she does not say anything to her aunt. Papa Nukwu ends up dying a few days
later, but he was very happy the last few days of his life. Aunt Ifeoma and her children are
very upset. Jaja and Kambili's father finds out, and he drives to Nsukka to take them home,
but before they leave Amaka gives Kambili a painting of Papa -Nnukwu that she had started.
Once home, Jaja starts acting differently than he used to: more independent. He
asks for more freedom, and does not heed his father's requests without question. His father
gets angry, and punishes his children severely by pouring boiling hot water on their feet.
A few weeks after the visit to Nsukka, Ade Coker, the editor of the paper that the
father owns, is killed by a letter bomb.
All this time, Kambili has kept the painting of Papa-Nnukwu a secret from her
father, but one day he sees her looking at it. He becomes enraged, and shreds the painting
so that it cannot be repaired. He then beats her into unconsciousness.
Kambili ends up staying in the hospital for a few weeks. Her father and Aunt
Ifeoma decide that once she is released, she and Jaja should stay with her again. Once
Kambili is well enough to leave, they pack their bags and go back to Nsukka.
During this visit, Amaka is no longer mean to Kambili. They have come to
understand each other, and they are very close. Father Amadi visits often, and he shows a
special caring toward Kambili. His influence helps her to be less shy and speak out more.
Her relationships with her cousins continue to grow during that time.

After a few days, Kambili's mother shows up without warning. The father
had beaten her, and she had been in the hospital. She announces that they are going
back home the next day. In the morning, the father comes to pick them up. He takes
them back home. The next day is the day that the story started out on: the day that
Jaja refused to take communion.
Everything is different after that day. Jaja no longer eats dinner with the
family. Good Friday comes around, and Aunt Ifeoma calls to tell the mother that she
has received a notice of termination. Kambili and Jaja go back to Nsukka to visit one
more time before their aunt and cousins leave for America. They stay for Easter. While
they are there, the mother calls and informs them that their father is dead. Jaja and
Kambili are shocked, and they return home.
When poison is discovered in the father's body, the mother confesses to Jaja
and Kambili that she is the one who killed him. She tells them that she had been
putting the poison in his tea for months. Kambili is angry at her mom. When the police
come to investigate, Jaja takes the blame, and he is taken away. He is to be kept in jail
for three years.
The story finally reaches the present, which is almost three years after Jaja
went to jail. During those three years, mother has become very subdued. She doesn't
seem to notice much of what is going on around her, and she doesn't care about how
she looks. At this point in the book, Kambili and her mother are notified that Jaja will
be released in a week. They are overjoyed that he will finally be home. The story ends
with Kambili and her mother celebrating, and planning what they will do once Jaja
comes home.

The Characters
The Achike Family
Kambili-The main character who narrates the story of her family’s disintegration. When the
story begins, Kambili is fifteen years old and painfully shy. She lives under the strict Catholic rule
of her father, who expects his children to succeed at all costs. As political unrest seizes Nigeria,
Kambili is introduced to a new way of life by her liberal aunt. Though she retains her faith through
several horrendous events, Kambili learns to question authority when necessary.
Chukwuka/Jaja-Kambili’s brother, who is about two years older than her. Like Kambili, Jaja
strains under the tyranny of his father. After both his sister and mother are hospitalized from
beatings, Jaja begins to rebel. Jaja is rational and protective and more outgoing than his sister. He
severs ties with both his father and faith. Jaja takes the blame for his mother’s crime
Eugene/Papa-A prominent man in the Achike’s village of Enugu, Papa runs several successful
factories and publishes an English-language newspaper infamous for its criticism of Nigeria’s
corrupt government. He is a devout Catholic who expects nothing less than perfection from his
family. Papa punishes his wife and children in order to correct their behavior. Papa is beloved in
his community but is estranged from his own father and his traditional African culture.
Beatrice/Mama-Mama is a quiet and religious woman, accustomed to obeying the rule of her
husband. Though the abuse worsens over time, she refuses to leave. Ultimately, she realizes she
must protect her children and poisons her husband.

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.
Papa-Nnukwu-Ifeoma and Eugene’s father. Papa-Nnukwu is a traditionalist, holding on to
the faith of his ancestors. Kambili grows to love Papa-Nnukuw despite her father’s warnings
that he is a heathen. Through his joy and warm spirit, Kambili learns that both family and
faith are more complicated than what she has been taught.
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-The white, British-born head of St. Agnes, the Achike’s church. He is a
supportive ally of Papa’s, praising him constantly as one of the pillars of the community. Father
Benedict is austere and offers only his view of religion.
Ade Coker-The editor of The Standard, Papa’s paper. With Papa’s support, he is openly critical
of the corrupt government and becomes a political target. He is killed by a letter bomb bearing
the State Seal.
Yewande Coker-Ade’s wife. She is widowed with three young children, who Papa tries to help.
Sisi-The passive servant girl in the Achike household. Sisi provides Mama with the poison used
to kill Papa.
Chinwe Jideze-A gossipy classmate of Kambili’s. She beats Kambili for head of class in one
term.
Ezinne-The only classmate who is kind to Kambili.
Kevin-The Achikes’ driver. Mama fires him after Papa dies.
Chiaku-A professor friend of Aunty Ifeoma's, who is critical of a move to America.

Arsenic
Arsenic is a naturally
occurring element widely
distributed in the earth's
crust. It is poisonous.

Themes
• Coming of Age
• Religion-Catholicism v/s Traditionalism
• Colonialism
• Silence
• Domestic Violence/Abuse
• Nature v/s Environment
• Education
• Love/Relationships
• Nigerian Politics/Oppression/Post-colonialism

Conflict
Internal
• Man v/s Self
External
• Man v/s Society-Ade Coker’s editorials against
the government
• Man v/s Nature or Environment
• Man v/s Man-Jaja against Papa and Papa
against Papa-Nnukwu

Structural Devices
• stream of consciousness
• interior monologue
• flashback
• foreshadowing
• chapter organization
• time frame
• motif
• juxtaposition

Literary Devices
• Motifs-the colour red (Papa’s pajamas, hibiscus, the Blood, lipstick of ifeoma and
Amaka); dinner/meal times; silence; the weather; walls; language (Igbo/English);
freedom (of speech/expression The Standard newspaper)
• Symbols
• Imagery
• Metaphors-food
• Allusions-literary, mythological, Biblical, musical…
• Juxtaposition-experiences of Beatrice and Aunty Ifeoma as married women.
Ifeoma is accused of killing her husband, while Beatrice who actually kills hers is
neither suspected nor punished by the law. The two grand fathers and the
difference in the treatment that they received from Eugene or the peaceful rural
Fulani nomads and Eugene’s violent rage when he lashes out at his family with the
leather belt.
• Irony
• Onomatopoeia-Aunty Ifeoma was scraping a burnt pot in the kitchen, and the
kroo-kroo-kroo of the metal spoon on the pot seemed intrusive.
• Humour

Jollof Rice
Egusi soup
Utazi curry
Fufu/Pounded
Yam

Onugbu soup
Moi-moi
Anara/Garden eggs
Garri/Cassava
Anara leaves

Ngwo-ngwo/Goat peppersoup
Coconut rice
Akamu
Agidi
Akara

Okpa
Suya
Cow-pea and palm oil cakes
Ofe nsala soup
Cocoyams

Orah
Ube-Purple Yam/Pear
Aku/Winged termites
Ugu

The Ichaka or rattle is
made of gourd or calabash
loosely covered with
beads. When tapped or
shaken it produces a
rattling sound to
compliment other
instruments.

The OGENE (Gong) is the most
important metal instrument among
the Igbo people. They were made
originally in bronze but, in modern
time, are mainly made of common
metal as a bulging surface in
elliptical shaped rim, and tapering
like a frustum to its handle. It is hit
about its rim by a stick to produce
different tunes. The Ogene (gong)
accompanies
dances, songs, religious and secular
ceremonies, and its tunes have
been developed to transmit
messages by a sort of lyric prose.

Mmuo Festival
Masks and Masquerades known in Igbo
language as "Mmanwu na Mmuo"
Mmuo are the spirits of the dead
persons of a town. These spirits are
classified into good & evil ones.
A Woman
spirit and
mask

Woman Spirits
Agbogho Mmuo are maiden
spirit masks that represent
the spirit of dead girls that
have manifested in the
dancer to come back to
parade in their
communities. The masks
also symbolise the ideals of
female beauty among many
Nri-Awka Igbo communities.
Their extremely white faces
symbolise that they are
spirits.

Agwonatumbe: "The snake that strikes the tortoise”

Harmattan
The Harmattan is a
dry and dusty West
African trade wind.
This northeasterly
wind blows from
the Sahara into the
Gulf of Guinea
between the end of
November and the
middle of March.
The temperatures
can be as low as 3
degrees Celsius.

Symbolism
• Purple hibiscus:
Consider the nature of flowers. They are organic, growing and beautiful. At the
beginning of the novel the garden at Enugu was full of red hibiscuses. No matter
how many church women cut them for the altar, they always grew back strong.
Think of the significance of red: danger, violence, blood. This is clearly connected
to the vicious treatment family are subjected to by Papa. Consider the femininity
and regal connotations of purple, which eventually “reigns” over the bright red
flowers. These “experimental” flowers represent rebellion and defiance, but in a
subtle, growing, feminine way. It is important to note here that it is Mama who
strikes the final, ultimate blow against Papa’s regime.
• Lipstick:
Amaka and Aunty Ifeoma wear lipstick, and it is commented on throughout the
story. Kambili notices their femininity, and the lipstick comes to represent
awareness of self as a woman, and sexual awakening. It is important to note that
when she is invited to the stadium with Father Amadi, Kambili acknowledges her
crush on him, and attempts to wear Amaka’s lipstick. She realises that it does not
suit her, and takes it off, but when Father Amadi asks her about it she laughs at
herself. Lipstick represents femininity and sexual awareness.

Symbolism
• Laughter:
The sound of laughter is always the first thing that Kambili notices about
Amaka, Aunty Ifeoma and their household. As the novel goes on, she becomes
first of all able to smile and laugh, then able to laugh at herself, and finally able to
make others laugh. This represents her development and growth.
• Paintings:
The paintings of grandfather and Papa-Nnukwu can be seen as symbolic.
They represent two very different regimes. The painting of Grandfather watches
over Eugene’s tyranny, and the painting of Papa-Nnukwu causes its downfall, after
it enrages Papa to the point of beating Kambili almost to death.
• Legs for running:
The acknowledgement of Kambili’s “good legs for running” causes her to grow:
her self-esteem is raised. It is significant that by the end of the novel, other people
have recognised her good legs for running (Amaka): she is able to grow even after
Father Amadi has gone.

Symbolism
• Palms
A symbol of victory or triumph. It s significant that the
plot revolves around Palm Sunday. As a symbol of victory
in Purple Hibiscus, the palm refers to the victory of
Beatrice and her children, Jaja and Kambili, over
Eugene, her husband and her children’s father.
• The figurines
They represent Mama’s fragility and delicacy. It is their
destruction by Papa’s missal that irrevocably changes the
family, leading Beatrice/Mama to her ultimate solution to
put an end to her family’s suffering.

Narrative Technique & Style
“The story is narrated by Kambili. The character of Kambili is largely a
silent observer. From any other character’s perspective the reader may find
her uninteresting and even pathetic in her stricken silence. But along with her
narration she gives the reader knowledge of what she wants to say “I
wondered why I did not tell her that all my skirts stopped well past my
knees, that I did not own any trousers because it was sinful for a woman to
wear trousers.”. She wonders why she can’t simply “unfreeze (her) tongue,”
and she is in awe of her cousins who speak freely.
It is ironic that Kambili is narrator who cannot speak. Like a news-
reader she can reel off information about events but does not initially allow
herself to voice her opinions on them. The reader is encouraged to form
opinions in reaction to her twisted emotional responses. Through our
exposure to her otherwise very secret thoughts, it is easy to become
emotionally involved with her struggle towards freedom of expression. This
first person experience of such restriction from someone who does not see
the injustice of it is more effective in gaining readers’ sympathy than the
perspective of someone who knows it is wrong, and fights it.” Rosza Majsa

The culturally conscious musicians
Onyeka Onwenu (1952-present) has always won the
admiration of many Nigerians since her musical hit
One Love. And even when she staged protest at the
gate of Nigerian television authority concerning
artiste royalty fee many still applauded her bravery.
She has maintained an excellent spirit in her career
as a singer, journalist, actress and humanist. She
started her early childhood education in Nigeria then
moved over to the United States. She studied in the
Wellesley College Massachusetts. In 1977-79 she
was appointed a staff of the public information
United Nations.
Through her music Onyeka, has enthused
unparalleled patriotism, preached, peace, love and
tolerance. She has received such awards as the best
pop artiste performing musicians association of
Nigeria 1988 award, a certificate of appreciation
from the United States Aid 1989, global media
awards population institute award, Pan African arts
and music awards.

Fela Anikulapo Kuti (1938-1997) was a prominent Nigerian
musician and political activist who was jailed several times for the
critical overtones of his music. The creator of Afrobeat, a musical
genre blending jazz and funk with traditional African rhythms.
A legendary international musician, known as "Abami eda" (the
strange one), Fela was the most creative and celebrated Afro-beat
superstar.
He was notorious in his lifetime for his anti military activism. He
was a social maverick who married 27 women in a day, an
extraordinary event that made him an object of curiosity by all
manner of people all over the world. As a musician, he was a
genius and an iconoclast whose music transcended cultural and
political barriers. He had several brushes with the law and his
songs vilified most Nigerian governments during his lifetime.
He glamorized the use of marijuana and was arrested and jailed
several times when caught with it. His lifestyle and promiscuity
led to his death after contracting AIDS. In 1998 he was
posthumously awarded the prestigious Kora Award for his huge
contributions to world music.

Chief Stephen
Osita Osadebe
(1936-2007), often
referred to as just
Osadebe, was an
Igbo Nigerian
Highlife musician
from Atani. His
career spanned
over 40 years, and
he is one of the
best known Igbo
highlife musicians

Bibliography
• http://www.l3.ulg.ac.be/adichie/index.html
• http://www.l3.ulg.ac.be/adichie/cnabio.html
• http://dailypost.com.ng/2014/01/03/headache-unn-vc-nsukka-youths-demand-removal/
• http://panthernet.net/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=3850&
• http://prezi.com/2hwy41j1hxh5/purple-hibiscus-plot-diagram/
• http://www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/approved_apparitions/aokpe/index.html
• http://www.docstoc.com/docs/86649418/A-GLOSSARY-OF-IGBO-WORDS_-NAMES-AND-
PHRASES
• http://www.onlinenigeria.com/people/ad.asp?blurb=71
• http://www.onlinenigeria.com/PEOPLE/ad.asp?blurb=36
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_Stephen_Osita_Osadebe
• http://prezi.com/bxkmq9yjbyqx/purple-hibiscus-project-on-
motifs/http://prezi.com/bxkmq9yjbyqx/purple-hibiscus-project-on-motifs/
• http://prezi.com/hmxzvcbj7ifl/motifs-in-purple-hibiscus/
• http://www.nairaland.com/1473676/igbo-traditional-music-musical-instruments
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmattan
• http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/255457/harmattan
• http://archive.is/OIbkY
• http://www.oraifite.com/masks-and-masquerades
• http://ukpuru.blogspot.com/2010/12/agbogho-mmuo.html

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