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.- Diversity. Purple Hibiscuses are not common, they are rare.
- Awakening. It is a sign of the awakening of Jaja & Kambili.
- 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?
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