Purple Hibiscus by Chimamande Ngozi Adichie

This book explores themes of oppression, identity, freedom and religion.

I felt only sorrow for this family, especially for kambili and her mother, because Jaja at least showed some form of resistance to his father’s (Eugene) ways and had hunger for freedom. At the same time I understood their acceptance or lack of resistance.

Kambili and Jaja were raised in this oppression and so to them it was their normal. They did not know any better, and who could blame them for not questioning their bringing up and way of living, when they were taught not to question and ask questions their whole lives.

Kambili and Jaja are raised in a strict, God-fearing; perhaps Eugene-fearing household, that is structured by the “laws” of Christianity. Their lives are dictated and dedicated to doing what is right by the church, Eugene and God.

They are restricted, shut up, controlled and raised by religion. They are reduced and limited to know themselves only as servants of God/being obliged to the law of God, without having any identities /roles outside of religion and structure.

Their freedom and identity outside religion is compromised and threatened with punishment and guilt.

Eugene acts as God’s substitute in executing the judgements and punishments.

Eugene’s father, Papa Nnukwu is regarded as a heathen because he is a traditionalist and not a Christian. So applies to others who do not identify as Christians.

Eugene punishes his children just like he was punished by the missionaries because he thinks it is the right thing to do. He thinks it is what God wants; it is good for them.

Eugene does not know better. He is stuck in oblivion to the abuse and trauma that was inflicted on him by the missionaries, and is also doing the same thing to his children; in the name of doing God’s will or punishing in the place of God/ punishing to make them better people to save them from themselves. These were the reasons he was given for the abuse and trauma that he went through and he accepted them and also did the same things to his children, in oblivion of all the abuse and trauma that these things caused to one.

Perhaps, his refusal to see or lack of seeing the wrong in what was being done to him and what he is now doing to his children is because of his trust and obedience to the missionaries as they had taken him in and he regarded them as God’s substitute, as he regards himself now.

Kambili and Jaja find their freedom and identity when they visit their Aunt Ifeoma and her children who are inquisitive and happy. Papa Nnukwu’s death and Father Amadi (for Kambili) become the pinnacle of freedom for Kambili and Jaja. Eugene’s death brings the ultimate freedom, which also comes at a price.

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