Purple Hibiscus (Part III) The Weight of Religion

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In Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie shows the characters Jaja, Kambili, and Beatrice struggling with the weight and importance of religion in their household. Throughout the novel the family is constantly on the edge about religion because of "Papa". When "Papa" feels as though the family members have done wrong, he severely beats them regardless on whether it is a small matter or not. Some examples of those instances are...

1. Kambili's period began early so she took a Panadol for the pain before mass. She is supposed to eat prior to taking the medication so Mama said she could eat cornflakes but "Papa" comes down and catches her eating. Both Jaja and Mama try to take the blame but all of them we're beat with a belt; "...then mama raised her hands as it landed on her upper arm..." pg. 102
2. Jaja didn't go to the communion because he did not like the way the wafer makes his breath smell and he also did not like how the priest touches his tongue. Since Jaja did not go, it aggravated his father and his father tried to punish him. "...picked up the missal and flung it across the room toward Jaja.." pg. 6-7 (Missal is a Religious Book; Refer to Purple Hibiscus (Part I) Mama's Figurines)
3. Beatrice (Mama) was beat because she was unable to get out of the car because she was pregnant at the moment and felt nauseous & she also lied to the Father Benedict about her not feeling well. "...then he asked god to forgive those who tried to thwart his will.." pg. 30. Due to Mama making "Papa" look bad she also got beat "... Mama was slung over his shoulder like the jute sacks of rice his factory ... 'There's blood on the floor," Jaja said... 'MAMA DID NOT COME home that night..." pg. 33.

                                            

For the weight of the religion to play such a strong part in the family is quite a nuisance, I believe religion is important but it is wrong for someone to put their family's health in jeopardy just because they want to force the religion upon them. What do you think? Is religion so important that it is okay to jeopardize the relationship and health of your family?

Purple Hibiscus (Part II) Purple Hibiscus

Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie tells of a family that is heavily weighted by their religion. In Purple Hibiscus, Adichie shows symbolism through many things throughout the novel and one of the items she use was a purple hibiscus. "...like Aunty Ifeoma's experimental purple hibiscus, rare, fragrant with the undertones of freedom, a different kind of freedom from the one the crowds waving green leaves chanted at Government Square after the coup. A freedom to be, to do." pg. 16 The purple hibiscus symbolizes many things within the story.

1. Diversity. Purple Hibiscuses are not common, they are rare.
2. Awakening. It is a sign of the awakening of Jaja & Kambili.
3. Freedom. It shows that they are breaking off into freedom

The quote on page 16 shows the diversity of the flower, that is is different and rare. In the novel, "Papa" wants the family to obey him and be as good as can be but that lacks diversity. They all will be the same in the end if they follow the path "Papa" has put out for them. The purple hibiscus also signifies the waking of Jaja "... we'll plant orange trees in Abba when he comes back, and Jaja will plan the purple hibiscus too..." pg. 306-307. Jaja discovered his interest in gardening and that was the beginning of his defiance to his father. That is explained on pg. 16 "Jaja's defiance seemed to me...experimental purple hibiscus. However, the purple hibiscus being as rare it is also shows freedom from the "chains" of "Papa. "freedom, a different kind of freedom..." pg. 16.

• Part II's question is... Do you think the orange trees on pages 306-307 represent anything significant?

Purple Hibiscus (Part I) Mama's Figurines

In Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie tells a story of an internal conflict about the weight of religion and submission in a family. In the beginning of the novel, the author brings up "Mama's Figurines"."He picked up the missal and flung it across the room... missed Jaja completely, but hit the glass etagere... landed on their many pieces." pg. 7  The figurines are used to represent multiple things in the story.

1. The fragility of the mother. (They were glass)
2. The silence in the family. ( Mother would clean them every time she got beaten because she did not want to speak of what she went through.)
3. The submissiveness of the family.

Prior to "Papa" breaking the novel, Mama was constantly beat and there has been occasions where she had miscarriages because she was beat by "Papa". To cope with the miscarriages she would wash the figurines and the shelf, then she will embrace herself in the center of the room. Soon the shelf begins to represent "Mama" and the figurines will represent her sanctuary in the sense that she looks towards them for comfort and solace. When the figurines are broken, it will represent the breakage of submission in the family in a sense that there is a change. I feel as though the Missal has a connection to the story as well, a missal is a heavy religious book and I think it shows the weight of religion in the family when it hits the glass figurines. It made the family submissive and fragile but under great force, the family was broken into pieces. In my family, beatings are seen a sign of discipline and my question is... Do you think it is right to discipline children by raising your hand against them for doing the wrong thing?