Ardichie Chimamanda :Purple hibiscus notes

CHAPTER ONE - PLOT

Plot is the sequence of events in a text or story; Aristotle admonishes that a well organized plot
must have a beginning, middle and end. In other words, a plot must be made up of exposition,
rising action, climax, a falling action and a resolution. There are simple and complex plots, linear
and in medeas [Link] is a sequencial summary of the narrative. It must be pointed out that the
entire narrative is a recall of events that led to the breakup of the narrator’s family as narrated by
the protagonist, Kambili.
Synopsis (plot summary)
The text is about the life of the Achieke family. It’s a family made up of the father, mother, and
two children, a boy and a girl. These are Eugene, Mama Beatrice, Kambili and Jaja. They are
Catholics who strongly adhere to the tenets of Catholicism until Jaja and Kambili are granted
permission to visit their paternal aunty, Ifeoma. Eugene and aunty Ifeoma are siblings from the
same parents. Eugene is a staunch Christian yet he is known to be stern and maltreats his family.
Eugene, the elder son despises his father because he believes that he is a heathen, and with such
people he will have no dealings. His sister, a University lecturer, accords their father all the love
and respect due him. This difference between these two, Eugene and his sister, Ifeoma, has
become so much of a bone of contention so that they hardly communicate. One Christmas
occasion, Eugene with his family, as usual, visits his home town, Abba, and there meets his
sister, Ifeoma, who is visiting with her family too, for the Christmas. This encounter grants their
children the opportunity to meet and interact. Ifeoma seizes the opportunity and asks Eugene to
take his children out. She later invites them to visit her at her University residence.
Though adamant, Eugene later allows his children to visit their aunty and cousins at their
University residence. The contact and the experience that Kambili and Jaja have at Nsukka
shapes and changes their perception toward life. For instance, Kambili gets the opportunity to
witness her grandfather pray; this enables her to come to terms with the fact that her grandfather
is after all not a heathen as they have been told by their father. Jaja too begins to experience the
freedom and ease of being oneself.
Eugene is later poisoned to death by his wife, Mama Beatrice. Surprisingly Jaja owns up to
haven poisoned him. Jaja spends some time in prison. Aunty Ifeoma gets involved in a
demonstration and is later sacked from the university. She secures a visa covering her family and
they relocate to the United States of America. Kambili gets the assurance that a new era of hope
is ahead.
Plot Structure
Below is the sequence of events as presented in the text.
Purple Hibiscus is not presented in chapters or sections but rather divided under sub-headings.
These are:
1. Breaking Gods subtitled, Palm Sunday
2. Speaking With our Spirits subtitled, Before Palm Sunday
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Ardichie Chimamanda :Purple hibiscus notes

3. The Pieces of Gods subtitled, After Palm Sunday

4. A Different Silence subtitled, The present
1. “Breaking Gods subtitled Palm Sunday”
This portion of the story talks about the life of the Achieke family and also introduces the
conflict which sparks up terror within the family. It is made up of some six episodes. Eugene
Achieke is the husband of Mrs. Achieke affectionately called Mama by their two children,
Kambili and Jaja. The conflict circles around Jaja’s refusal to attend a communion service on
Palm Sunday with the excuse that the wafer always gives him a bad breath (pp.14-16).
In the first episode, we are told of the religious inclinations of the head of the family, who we
read is an “oblate”, a very religious person who never misses any church activity. He makes sure
his life and that of his family conform to that of the missionaries to the extent that he forbids his
family from speaking the Igbo language in Public because speaking the English Language makes
one appear more civilized (pg.21) . It is widely believed that he speaks the truth through his news
paper “the standard” and that he speaks for freedom (pg.13). He also performs the role of the
catechist by checking roll at church and reporting to the parish priest, father Benedict, those who
do not go for communion. Hence Jaja’s refusal to attend communion service that Palm Sunday
results in the chaos in the house and creates a very bad situation for him. Though introduced as
dogmatic, Papa Eugene loves his family dearly, especially, his two children and allows them to
sip his tea every time before he does so. He calls it the “love sip” since in his own philosophy;
people need to share the little things they love with those they love (pg.16). .
Meanwhile at the convent, Father Benedict accepts the singing of Igbo songs for offertory but
not for worship in the parish (pg.12). He also decrees that hand clapping is to be kept at a
minimum, so that the solemnity of the mass is not compromised. Eugene Achieke is very
generous, he usually makes donations to Peter’s Pence and St. Vincent de Paul, and also pays for
the cartons of communion wine as well as the new ovens at the Covent where the reverend
sisters bake the host and do many other good deeds except that he maltreats the very people he
claims to love.
In episode three, Jaja’s refusal to attend church is an act Papa Eugene cannot tolerate, more so
Jaja referring to the communion bread as “wafer” instead of the preferred “host”. Eugene insists
that they call it the host because that word comes close to capturing the essence and the
sacredness of Christ’s body (pg.14). The last straw that breaks the camel’s back is when Papa
tells Jaja that he cannot stop receiving the body of the lord because it is death unto whoever does
so, Jaja for the first time in his life replies that he will prefer to die than receive the communion
(pp. 13-15). This immediate rebuttal from his son is an act Eugene cannot imagine in his house,
let alone, from his own son. This infuriates him so much so that he throws a missile at Jaja,
fortunately it misses him completely and yet hits the glass étagère, cracks the top shelf and
sweeps the beige finger size ceramic figurines of ballet dancers in various contorted postures to
the hard floor. The spatter is cleared up by Mama with the help of Jaja.
Then, “Things begin to fall apart” in the family and the unusual begins to happen. First and
foremost, Papa drinks his tea that day without inviting his children to the take a “love sip” as he

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usually does. Also at lunch time, both Kambili and Mama share their thoughts about the drink
but Jaja remains silent with the excuse that there are no words in his mouth. Additionally, Jaja
leaves the dining table without waiting for Papa to say the prayer after meals (pg.22).
Kambili later in the day develops a severe headache and stays in bed without joining the rest of
the family for dinner. She is informed later that Jaja too did not come to dine with them. She
enquires if the broken figurines will be replaced but mama said no. This, to Kambili, signifies
that their family is broken forever (pg.23). This sparks memories in her of their stay at Nsukka
with their aunty and cousins. To her, Jaja’s defiance is an experiment of aunty Ifeoma’s ‘Purple
Hibiscus’ in her little garden.
2. Speaking with our spirits subtitled Before Palm Sunday
This section contains majority of the episodes making the entire text. It has some twelve
episodes. In the first episode, Kambili recalls the love between her mother and herself. She says
they are so close that her mother feels at ease to share her marital problems with her. Mama
Beatrice informs Kambili of her pregnancy and the numerous miscarriages she has had in the
past. Months before Palm Sunday, mama confides in her daughter, Kambili that she is pregnant
and adds that after giving birth to her, she has had six miscarriages. She adds that their father
exhibits strong love for her and refuses his family’s pressure to marry another woman. Kambili
introduces her brother Jaja. Later she talks about her father of whom she describes as one who
likes order and does his things meticulously. As a result he draws daily schedules for his
children. The next day, the coup is announced on radio. This marks the turning point in Eugene’s
newspaper business. Eugene is bent on publishing nothing else in his newspaper apart from the
truth. They continue publishing on the activities of the military government. The coup brings a
lot of changes even in their lives as soldiers are always seen on their roads and on the streets.
In the next episode, a young priest visits the Enugu parish where Father Benedict is the resident
priest. He prefers to sing and pray in his native Igbo language which father Benedict and Eugene
disapproves. (pp.36-37). The family later visits the resident priest and there, her mother proposes
to stay back in the car because of the feeling of nausea and fatigue that come with early
pregnancy. When they get home Eugene prays seeking forgiveness for her and later beat her up
so much so that she miscarries (pg.41). He later instructs his children to pray for their mother’s
deliverance.
In the third episode, the narrator takes us to her school, where she is followed to by her father
because she had placed second in class. (pg.53). Here, her father repeats the story of how he
received education the hard way. He adds that he has had to work to serve the Roman sisters and
to walk long hours to school to be educated. He further states that his father had not taken care
of him that is why he wants to do all there is possible to give his children the best of education
(pg.55).
It’s Christmas and the family visit to Abba, their hometown, and the events there occupy the
fourth episode. Eugene and his family visit their paternal hometown in Abba where they usually
spend the Christmas holidays. Because it’s Christmas, they travel with several food items enough
to feed the entire village. Kambili and Jaja are allowed to visit their paternal grandfather, Papa
Nnukwu, for a period of fifteen minutes with strict instructions not to accept or touch anything of
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his (pg.69). Various members of the community come to visit the family and are lavished with
gifts but Eugene’s aged father is neglected because he is considered a heathen and all of his type
are banished from entering the compound. Of significance is the aged Anikwenwa who is sacked
by Eugene because he is also a heathen (pg.78).
The above is immediately followed by the visit of Eugene’s sister and her Children, Amaka,
Chima and Obiora. She discusses with Mama Beatrice the ordeal of womanhood and femininity
(pp.83-84). She is of the view that marriage does not make a woman whole. That, at times
marriage imprisons a woman. She seeks permission from Eugene to take along with her children,
Kambili and Jaja (pg.85). This is after they have visited grandfather. The next day, aunty Ifeoma
takes all of them together with their Papa Nnukwu to spend some time together. On their way,
Papa Nnukwu complains about his plight and bemoans the fact that his son does not take care of
him because of his missionary education (pp.90-92). Aunty Ifeoma rebuts that assertion because
she also had missionary education and yet looks after him. At Ezi Icheke, they enjoy the
traditional dance of the ancestral spirits.
On Christmas day, Eugene and family attend mass; they are ushered in to front seats which have
been reserved for important people. After the service they attend fund raising where his donation
attracts a lot of attention (pp.97-98). Back home they are visited by the chief of Abba. Eugene
instructs his wife and daughter not bow to the chief because it’s a pagan custom (pg.102). At
lunch time aunty Ifeoma asks permission from Eugene to allow his children to visit her at
Nsukka (pg.105). The next day is Eucharist; unfortunately Kambili has menstrual cramps and
Mama Beatrice encourages her to eat some corn flakes so she can take panadol to alleviate the
cramps. Eugene chances on them and accuses them of sinning. He unbolts his belt and uses it to
beat all of them up (pg.109). Back at Enugu, he takes the family to father Benedict for
confession after which allows the children to visit aunty Ifeoma at Nsukka (pp.112-115).
They are warmly welcomed by their aunty and cousins (pg.122). Kambili shares the same room
with Amaka while Jaja sleeps at the hall with Obiora. Though aunty Ifeoma experiences
hardships, she tries as much as possible to make their visit a memorable one. They are taken
round the campus and are later visited by father Amadi, aunty Ifeoma’s friend who helps
Kambili to come to a self realization. He is very pleased with their visit because he knows their
father (pp.143-147). It is quite remarkable that this journey takes place at the seventh episode of
this section. This is the journey that marks a complete turn about in the lives of Jaja and Kambili.
Because of the coup, Eugene calls to inform Ifeoma to allow Kambili and Jaja to stay for some
more days (pg.155). Though their cousins find them quite different from other children of their
age group they learn and try to cope with them (pg.159). Kambili relates Jaja has a short fore-
finger because when he was ten, he had missed a line or two in his catechism class and for his
punishment, Eugene had the boy’s fore-finger cut off (pg.153). Aunty Ifeoma is informed of
Papa - Nnukwu’s sickness; she brings him to stay with her so he can receive treatment (pp.155-
168)
Papa Nnukwu wakes up earlier to pray, aunty Ifeoma wakes Kambili to witness his grandfather
pray. He prays for his children including Eugene and his grand children and finally prays for
good health. All of these affirm aunty Ifeoma’s statement that Papa Nnukwu is not a heathen but
a traditionalist (pp.173-176). Father Amadi takes Kambili out for sports and for the first time, she
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wears trousers. She falls in love with father Amadi (pp.181-187) . The next day, Papa Nnukwu
dies in his sleep (pg.189). Eugene calls to inquire why he has not been told his children are living
in the same apartment with papa Nnukwu whom he considers a heathen (pg.188). When he
comes to pick them he is informed of Papa - Nnukwu’s death, he does not grieve but asks to
know if he has been made to confess before his death (pg.195). Back home, Jaja begins to exhibit
sharp attitudinal change. For instance, he demands privacy and asks for his room keys (pg.198),
in addition, he leaves the dining table before his father says the closing prayer. Later Eugene
pours boiling water on the feet of his children because they have walked into sin by staying in
the same apartment with a heathen (pp.199-200). Eugene here reveals the source of his
callousness, he tells Kambili that once he sinned with his own body, perhaps masturbated, and
the reverend father he lived with soaked his hands in boiling water (pg.203) . This is where he
has inherited wickedness as a way of saving his loved ones from sin. He sends his sister enough
amount of money to enable her organize their father’s funeral though he will not be a part
(pg.204).
Constant disturbances at his newspapers worry him, police keep finding fault with his
publications until one day a parcel delivered to his chief editor, Ade Coker, blows him up to
death (p.212). Eugene discovers a picture of his father with Kambili and beats her up till she
collapses and is hospitalized (pp.215-217). The extents of her injuries are so much so that she
even writes her exams on the hospital bed (pg.221).
As soon as she is discharged, Kambili and Jaja head to Nsukka. Their cousins are happy to
welcome them back again. Kambili’s admiration for father Amadi grows. Jaja too falls in love
with aunty Ifeoma’s little garden and works at it with passion, at this stage in their lives they
begin to blossom like aunty Ifeoma’s ‘Purple Hibiscus’. Students on the University campus riot
because the university is being managed by a sole administrator (pp.228, 234-235). Aunty
Ifeoma is suspected to be a part of those influencing the students to riot, her residence is
searched. Later father Amadi takes Kambili to have her hair braided (pp.241-244).
In the final episode of this section, Kambili and Amaka attend church service alone because
aunty Ifeoma and the others have attended the morning mass. Later in the day when they are
visited by a colleague lecturer, Obiora interrupts and is later disciplined by his mother. Aunty
Ifeoma tells her friend that she is planning to migrate to America (pg.248). One day, they are
surprisingly visited by Mama Beatrice who tells them she has just been discharged from the
hospital. She has been at the hospital because Eugene had hit her stomach with a coffee table and
she again has a miscarriage of a six weeks old pregnancy (pp.253-256). When Eugene calls,
aunty Ifeoma tells her not to go back to Enugu soon but to stay with her a while but Mama
Beatrice refuses, stating that she has nowhere else to go if she leaves her husband. Though
Kambili and Jaja had wished to spend the Easter at Nsukka, they are picked back to Enugu. The
next day is Palm Sunday.
The Pieces of Gods subtitled After Palm Sunday
This section is made up of some three episodes. After Palm Sunday, there was a stormy rain
accompanied by the falling down of tress in Eugene’s compound. During dinner that day, Jaja
refuse to come down to join the family though Eugene has demanded he does so (pg.262). Mama
on the other hand does not hide the food she sends to him in his room as she used to do. After
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dinner Yewande Coker comes to the house with her daughter to inform Eugene that her daughter
has finally spoken after witnessing the blowing up of her father, Ade Coker. In the evening when
papa is praying in the study, Kambili goes to Jaja’s room to inform him what Yewande Coker
has told papa. Upon leaving Jaja’s room, she answers a phone call from aunty Ifeoma who
informs her that she and her children have up to one month to vacate their university apartment.
She adds that father Amadi has been transferred to Germany and he will be leaving soon. Just
after the call, Jaja bursts into papa’s room and informs him that he and Kambili were leaving for
Nsukka (pg.265). Kevin, the driver has to drive though he initially protests that it is Good Friday
and that he may be needed to drive papa to church. Kambili and Jaja finally reach Nsukka. At
Nsukka, all cousins do things joyously and in common. While aunty Ifeoma prepares for their
trip.
Later, father Amadi visits and assures Kambili that he will convince their father to send them to
the boarding house. He later asks Amaka to pick a Christian name since she is going to be
confirmed but Amaka refuses with the excuse that her name is good enough. As a result she is
not confirmed that Easter. All visit Aokpe to witness the picture of the Virgin Mary that is said to
have appeared. On their way back, Kambili goes with father Amadi to bid some of his friends
farewell since he is leaving for Germany. The next day is used for packing the belongings of
aunty Ifeoma and clearing the apartment. They later go for a drive with their aunty; a race is
organized in which Kambili wins. The next day, aunty Ifeoma is given visas covering the whole
family (pg.281). Father Amadi seeks permission to spend some time with Kambili. They return
home and are informed by Mama Beatrice in a phone call, of the death of their father, Eugene
(pg.290).
In the third episode, Kambili and Jaja return to Enugu. Jaja expresses remorse for not protecting
their mother as Obiora does. They are informed by the police that Papa Eugene has died out of
food a poisoning. Mama confesses to haven poisoned her husband; Jaja takes the blame for the
poisoning and is imprisoned (pg.295).
A Different Silence subtitled The Present
The story ends in almost three years of stay time after the events just described, on a cautiously
optimistic note. Kambili has become a young woman of eighteen, more confident than before
while her brother Jaja is about to be released from prison, hardened but not broken by prison
experience. Their mother, Beatrice, haven deteriorated psychologically to a great degree, now
shows small signs of recovery. They are in constant touch with their aunty and cousins. In
essence, a better future is possible for them.
In conclusion, the entire narrative is made up of some twenty two episodes. The events as
summarized above are as presented in the text. These are so presented to give an effect of
verisimilitude.

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Ardichie Chimamanda :Purple hibiscus notes

CHAPTER TWO --- CHARACTARIZATION

According to Wikipedia a character is the representation of a person in a narrative or dramatic

work of art (such as a novel, play, or film). Since the 19th century, the art of creating characters,
as practiced by actors or, has been called characterization. The Dictionary of Literary Terms,
1963 (henceforth DOLT. Pg. 21), describes a character as a brief descriptive sketch of a
personage who typifies some definite quality. In Purple Hibiscus the characters are so crafted to
unearth typical qualities in every day society. From the most religious to the housemaid, below is
an analysis of the characters the novel.

Kambili Achieke

Kambili christened Ruth is the eldest daughter in the Achieke family and the narrator of the
story. At the onset of the narrative she is fifteen years old but by the end of the narrative she is
eighteen. She is very reserved but an efficient observer. Her association with Amaka, aunty
Ifeoma and father Amadi has a profound influence on her being. For instance, unlike the
reserved life she has known all her life, she becomes aware she can laugh and live a happy life
when she goes out with father Amadi. She is a round character.

Eugene Achieke

He is affectionately called Papa by his children and titled “Omelora”: the one who does for the
community, by his townsmen. His daughter, the narrator, describes him as one who ‘liked order”
and therefore does his things ‘meticulously”. He believes that a well planned life leads to
success; therefore, he does not spare any of his children time to loiter. He personally prepares
minute by minute schedule for them and ensures that they adhere to [Link] is the son of Papa
Nnukwu. As a young man, he works as a gardener at the parish of the reverend sisters while they
in turn had him educated. As a man, he is a hard working business man: one who owns several
businesses including printing press and factories.

He loves his family so dearly that he provides for their total wellbeing. He takes home samples
of all his products for testing by his family first before they are taken to the market. Though, he
is very strict and he can be considered a loving husband who will stand by his wife against all
odds. In the text, Mama tells Kambili “the members of our umunna even sent people to your
father to urge him to have children with someone else…many of them were university
graduates… but your father stayed with me…” this of course is a sign of a good man or faithful
husband who will want to do all possible to protect his family and make his wife happy. For this
act Kambili observes that her father deserves “praise” and as a matter of fact, is incomparable to
any other because Eugene her father is “different”.

Eugene wants the best out of his children and encourages them to study hard at school. Once
Kimbili placed second in school. He follow her all the way to her school and ones there, exhorts
her to be the best in class. When Jaja places first in his class exam, he gives him a hug and pat
his shoulders for a job well done.
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Ardichie Chimamanda :Purple hibiscus notes

He is described as an oblate (pg.11); these are religious people who strictly adhere to the tenets
of their faith. Kambili refers to him as one who is “different”. Indeed he is different not because
he strictly adheres to the tenets of his faith but because of the manner in which he treats the very
people he claims to love. When Kambili and Jaja return from Nsukka he reveals the source of
his wickedness. He relates that he sinned with his body and the reverend father he stayed with
dipped his hand into boiling water. As a result, he has also grown up thinking that causing pain
to one’s body is a way of preventing him from sinning. This unfortunate exposure of his to those
who profess Christianity and at the same time acted wickedly has profound influence on him. He
has been unable to maintain balance or strike a line between good and bad or Christianity and
wickedness. For these reasons, he attracts the sympathy of a close reader.

That unfortunate exposure causes him to do the following:

Firstly, he refuses to cater for his aged father and refer to him as a heathen. Not only does he
refuse to cater for him financially, he has total disrespect for him. Kambili describes the money
he gives his father as “impersonal, paltry” amount which is far below the allowances he gives his
driver (pg.70).Secondly he stops talking to his only sister, Ifeoma, because of his maltreatment of
their aged father.

Thirdly, he beats up his pregnant wife for not entering the mission house because of nausea. He
gives her almost twenty strokes of caning and the sound of it the daughter compares to trying to
force open a stuck door. This was not the first nor the last, Mama Beatrice complain of haven
had several miscarriages all due to his torturing (pp.40-41). When she goes to Nsukka, she
reports of how he hit her six weeks old pregnancy with a coffee table. These punishments cause
her to miscarry several times (pp.253-255). Yet, the contradiction is that he has earlier prayed for
her deliverance. And after the miscarriage ask his children to pray for her forgiveness.

Fourthly, he uses his belt to beat up his family because during Kambili’s menstrual cycle, her
mother instructs her to take a light breakfast so she can take panadol to prevent her menstrual
cramps. In addition, when he finds a picture of his father with Kambili, he beats her mercilessly
till she [Link], he cuts off the fore finger of his only son because at age ten, he misses
some few lines in his catechism class (pg.153).

Finally, when he found out that his children have stayed in the same house with his own father at
Nsukka, he pours boiling water on their so it that will prevent them from walking into sin
(pp.201-203). Eugene is a static character.

Mama Beatrice

She is a down-to-earth woman; one we are told who does not talk too much or does so just as a
bird eats[ in small amounts. She is very generous towards all who come her way. She takes time
to cook for the members of a group in the church: the Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Prayer
Group.

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Ardichie Chimamanda :Purple hibiscus notes

She loves her children so much and does everything possible within her power to make them feel
safe and happy. Kambili states mama did not mind; there was so much that she did not mind.
The statement attests to the fact that mama is more than prepared to do everything possible to
make her family, especially her children, happy.

To strengthen the bond between mother and daughter as motherhood dictates, Mama Beatrice
takes the initiative to confide in her daughter. This is to win the confidence of her daughter so
they can be best friends and not just mother and daughter. She tells her of the number of
miscarriages she has had. These indeed are some of the deep things which a mother may not find
the courage to discuss with anyone else save her daughter. This rapport between mother and
daughter is missing between father and son. At certain times in their youth, boys become close to
their fathers, yet this trait is missing between Eugene and Jaja.
That she poisons her husband in the end is very surprising indeed. This is so because in her
conversation with aunty Ifeoma, she considers all of Ifeoma’s thoughts on female liberation to be
“your University talk” (pg.83), in other words, words that are vague or baseless and does not
contain any tangible meaning. In her view marriage makes a lot of difference in a woman’s life.
In addition, when she visits Ifeoma at her university apartment she resists all attempts by Ifeoma
to make her stay awhile. All these are indications of a woman who will want to stay in her
marriage and save it no matter how precarious it will be, hoping that some day it will get better.
There were other ways she could save herself and her children from Eugene’s maltreatment. For
instance, reporting him to father Benedict, whom Eugene respects so much, or filing a divorce
but she takes none of these options. Why then will she think of nothing else but to poison her
husband to death? From a moral point of view, her act constitutes murder but from the feminist
point it is liberation from patriarchal entanglement. She presents a dynamic character.
Chukwuka Achieke ‘Jaja’
He is the eldest son in the Achieke family. His aunty compares him to Jaja of Opobo, a king she
describes as defiant because he refused to allow the British control trade in his territory; as a
result, he was later imprisoned and exiled. Surprisingly, Jaja grows up to exhibit those same
qualities. He is an intelligent and bold young man. To prevent his father from maltreating his
sister when they overstayed their fifteen minutes visit to their grandfather, he takes the blame.
Again, when his mother directs Kambili to take corn flakes during her menstrual cramps, he
takes the blame. Finally, when papa Nnukwu’s picture is found on Kambili he takes ownership.
To crown it all, when they return from Nsukka, he demands the key to his room from his father
and later talks back at him on the issue of the communion. Worse of all, after his mother poisons
their father, he takes the blame and is imprisoned. Moreover, he does not mind being sent to
prison like his mentor, Jaja of Opobo. Indeed another side of the argument is that going to
Nsukka and his association with Obiora and the hibiscus plants in aunty Ifeoma’s garden
increase his confidence. That argument can further be enhanced by stating that, Jaja’s confidence
is enhanced by the exposure at Nsukka. He is a dynamic character.

Aunty Ifeoma ;She is the daughter of Papa Nnukwu and sister of Eugene. She is a University
lecturer and a very outspoken person. She is a widow and the mother of three: Amaka, Obiora
and Chima. She loves her father dearly and strongly disagrees with her brother, Eugene at his
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maltreatment of their father. She displays a sense of resourcefulness and determination in

bringing up her children without a husband. In addition, considering the nickname she gives Jaja
and how Jaja turns out in life, one can say that she is a shrewd woman. Her discipline of Obiora
shows that she is a disciplined woman, one who will not tolerate any rudeness or disobedience in
her domain.

Papa - Nnukwu
The aged father of Eugene and Ifeoma, his son considers him a heathen and refuses to take care
of him. Yet, Ifeoma considers him a traditionalist not pagan, as a result she provides for him as
best as she can. He is an appreciative person and warmly accepts the slim notes sent him by his
rich son. Though Eugene does not care about him, he prays for Eugene’s wellbeing and
protection. He is kind and invites his grandchildren to share in his meals though he is aware they
will not eat. He also plans to buy them soft drinks out of his little means. He has a strong sense
of humor and tries as much as he can to make people around him comfortable. He is a flat
character.
Father Amadi
He is young and good looking. He is the parish priest of the Catholic Church at Nsukka. He is
kind and considerate towards others and tries his best to make people around him comfortable.
He plays a major part in helping Kambili come to a full realization of her potentials. In addition,
he is enlightened and believes that the African or Nigerian language can be used in worship of
God. He is a flat character and a foil to father Benedict.
Father Benedict
The narrator says of father Benedict that he has changed things at the St. Agnes parish at Enugu.
He has changed things from the normal to the abnormal in the sense that, he has forbidden the
use of the local language for worship. He has also limited the clapping of hands. With all the
above he can be said to be an ethnocentric and pedantic character, who believes in the superiority
of his culture and down plays of others. Because he believes that the European culture is superior
he wants it used in a church situated in Africa. Perhaps he is one of those who have had negative
influence on Eugene. Benedict forbids the use of the local language in worship so does Eugene.
He presents a character in sharp contrast with father Amadi. He is a flat character.
Amaka
She is the fifteen-year-old elder daughter of aunty Ifeoma. She is described by the narrator as one
that talked with more purpose and seems older by the way she goes about things. She is very
intelligent, kind and considerate towards others yet critical. Her association, in her teen years
with her mom, an intelligent liberated woman had profound influence on her turn out. She
exhibits that quality of boldness that few youngsters will dare. She is tactful in how she goes
about commenting on her uncle’s product. Though initially critical of Kambili and Jaja, she later
learns to cope and accepts their difference. She is a dynamic character.
Obiora;He is the eldest son of aunty Ifeoma; he is of the same age as Jaja. He is very critical,
outspoken and bold. It can be assumed that he has imparted these qualities to Jaja but that is not
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Ardichie Chimamanda :Purple hibiscus notes

partly so, because Jaja has started exhibiting signs of defiance long before he met Obiora. It’s
rather that his contact with Obiora intensified and unleashed the boldness heaped up in Jaja’s
heart. For instance there are three instances in the text that Obiora’s confidence surfaces.
1. When he challenge father Amadi on morality and truth.
2. When he faces and queries the guards who have come to search his mothers house
3. When he interrupts the conversation between his mother and her lecturer friend.
Chima
He is the younger son of aunty Ifeoma. Like his elder siblings he is kind, intelligent and
considerate. He is emotional and weeps when his cousins are taken away by Eugene.
Sisi
She is the maid servant of the Achieke family, though very little is seen of her, she plays a very
important role in the text; that of supplying the poison that was used to kill the villain. By
supplying the poison she becomes the pivot on which the narrative turns.
Yewande Coker
She is wife of Ade Coker, editor of Eugene newspaper.
Kelvin
He is Eugene’s driver.
CHAPTER THREE - SUBJECT MATTER
Subject matter is basically defined as what a text is about (www. [Link]) It is the main
idea behind a text. In Purple Hibiscus, the subject matter identified is liberation from
conventions i.e. religious conventions: these are the traditional versus the Christian conventions.
The traditional convention guides its followers to love their neighbor as themselves
unconditionally. Papa – Nnukwu, a conservative practitioner of traditional conventions follows
the rules to the letter and refuses to discriminate against anybody, including his son, who is not a
traditionalist. Yet his son Eugene, a devout practitioner of Christianity, the supposedly
“enlightened” religion rather judges and discriminates against his own father for being a
Christian even though his religion prescribes that one loves one’s neighbor as one self.
Again, there are two forms of training giving to children in the text. In one, Eugene who wants
to train or bring his children up in the Christian way puts so many restrictions and impediments
on them to the extent that they are unable to grow into maturity. In addition to that his
suppressive rule in the home, as head of the family, forces his wife to murder him. Aunty Ifeoma
on the other hand, brings up her children in a very liberal way so that her children are able to
develop and become mature and independent-minded persons.

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Ardichie Chimamanda :Purple hibiscus notes

CHAPTER FOUR - THEMES

Theme refers to the underlying ideas or the main ideas in a literary work. It is the message that
the author carries in his or her text. According to DOLT, in poetry, fiction and drama, it is the
abstract concept … (pg.123). These “abstract concepts” are forces which drives the author on the
direction of the narrative. Themes in Purple Hibiscus include but not limited to:
Firstly, religious extremism is deceptive and breeds sin. Eugene is described as an oblate. These
are those who are obsessed with religion and are overzealous with their faith. No one can doubt
the fact that Eugene has good intentions but the way he goes about them is wrong. Because he is
obsessed he loses touch with reality. He seeks to lead a perfect lifestyle forgetting that in this
present system of things no one can be perfect. This over enthusiasm becomes an abnormal trait
causing him to do things which to normal people are sin in themselves. He sees everything
around him as evil. He feels that pain should be used to coerce people to convert to Christianity.
For instance, he considers his own father evil because he does not convert to Christianity.
Eugene forgets that for us Africans, totally discarding our traditional ways of life and embracing
a foreign way is a gradual process. He believes in perfection; therefore; during Ash
Wednesdays, he presses hard on each forehead to make a perfect cross with his ash-covered
thumb and slowly meaningfully enunciated every word: dust and unto dust you shall return. He
also considers those who refuse communion on Sunday to be possessed and committing mortal
sin. His over enthusiasm makes him believe that everyone has to be perfect as he thinks he is and
it is evident in the instance where he cuts his son’s finger because the boy has missed two
questions in his catechism test and is not named the best in Holy Communion class.
Secondly, the plight of the colonized African is deplorable. Africa’s association with the west is
one act that has profound influence on how Africans all over the world behave today. In some
cases the influence is positive yet in others it is brutal and negative as we see Eugene exhibit.
Eugene attracts the sympathy of the reader when he narrates his ordeal at the hands of the priest
he grew up with. The Catholic Priest, whom he grew up with, someone he considers to be a
representative of God on earth, has his hands dipped in boiling water because, as a young man,
he has ‘sinned’ (pg.203). How else can one who has been brought up to witness this act train
and react to those around him? Is it not a fact that when a child grows up in a violent
environment he grows up to exhibit violent such qualities? That is exactly what happens to
Eugene; his experience with the man whom he has considered to be God incarnate, has imprinted
on his mind that bodily pain is a means to spiritual transfiguration. Is it not quite surprising that
after colonization, the entire continent is caught up in wars after wars and all sorts of atrocities
perpetrated by Africans on fellow Africans? What has been the source of these developments?
Has the African always been like that? The African seems not to be able to know his left from
his right, as some people say, the whole continent is caught up in confusion. That is what Eugene
represents. He symbolizes the aftermath chaotic situation in post colonial Africa in modern
times; how uncompromising one African has become towards another.
Also, an elite woman is liberated and more positioned than the semi educated yet well resourced
woman. The lives of Mama Beatrice and aunty Ifeoma present two contrasting yet critical issues
worthy of analyzing. Mama Beatrice, wife of Eugene, is a house wife. Though she lives in a
well resourced house and has everything at her disposal, she has no say in anything that is

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decided on in her house. The final decision on everything that happens around her rests with her
husband. To her, marriage is very important for every woman and no matter what happens, a
woman must stick to her marriage and do well to keep it intact. She is symbolic of our
womenfolk who have given up under the yoke of gender segregation, resigned to fate and have
resolved to live in masochism. Aunty Ifeoma on the other hand is a well educated and liberated
woman. Even though she is a widow, she works as a single parent to take good care of her
children. She believes that marriage does not make a woman whole, and with or without
marriage a woman should be able to lead a full life. She tries to impact this knowledge to Mama
Beatrice yet Mama Beatrice won’t have any of it. What is the impact of these two women on
their dependants? As has already been discussed, the children of Mama Beatrice are constantly
bullied by their autocratic father, and so are timid. Those of aunty Ifeoma are bold, confident
and independent. There is no gain saying that if aunty Ifeoma were Eugene’s wife, there is no
way, what has happened in the case of mama Beatrice could happen to her. The conclusion is
that good education of the female child is essential to development in general and a healthy
family particular. It empowers the woman to contribute effectively to the progress and
sustainability of humanity.
Moreover, the education of children needs more liberalism than restriction: Eugene and aunty
Ifeoma’s children present serious issues pertaining to the education of one’s children which
needs to be looked at critically. Eugene, we are told, works so hard and sends his children to one
of the best schools in Nigeria. In addition, he ensures that his children excel academically. He
personally prepares minute-by-minute schedules for them and ensures that they follow it. On the
other hand, his sister, the widow and single mother, sends her children to the community school.
She does not strictly monitor her children but allows them to explore and grow up with those in
the community. It can even be said she allows them to adventure and to make mistakes, and then
to correct them; that is, she allows her children to learn to be discerning naturally. On a level
platform, one can see that Ifeoma’s children are more discerning, bold, and more intelligent than
those of Eugene. In fact, Kambili and Jaja are timid. Oppression by Papa leads to the timidity of
his children and the family as a whole. Kambili for instance becomes very timid and fails to
voice out her thoughts and feelings. Amaka is always furious at her cousin, Kambili, and initially
fails to understand her. She is not able to do anything because of the way they are brought up.
Finally, Kambili and Jaja see a clear distinction between their cousins and themselves. Aunty
Ifeoma shows a level headed approach to parenting. This conclusion points to the fact that the
rote or rigid style of education does not yield positive results.
In addition, traditional religion and Christianity are both geared towards the service of God yet
aspects of interpretation make the two religions look different and far apart: No in-depth
analysis of this text can be done without considering the theme of conflict of belief systems.
Papa Nnukwu, Eugene’s aged father stands for African traditional belief while Eugene stands for
the Western (Christian) belief. Papa Nnukwu does not believe in Christianity but he strongly
believes in God and refers to him in Igbo as “Chineke” meaning my God, and “Chukwu”
meaning high God. He recollects his interaction with one Fada John who tells him that the son of
God is equal to the Father. The misunderstanding that takes place is comparable to that between
Friday and Robinson in Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe. Just as in real life, that equality is not possible
so is it in African traditional belief. Yet the base line is that there is a belief in God. On the other
hand, Eugene who represents the Christian religion and professes to hold God high, is seen
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Ardichie Chimamanda :Purple hibiscus notes

nowhere in the text to refer to God as my God or even high God. In her analysis of Eugene, Osei-
Boakye (2011) asserts that Eugene must be forgiven because it was his mistaken definition of
Catholicism that leads him to behave the way he does. Suppose that is so, how about the Father
Benedict, should he also be forgiven for his uncompromising stance on religion?
Finally, corruption breeds political instability: corruption in an unstable government as a theme
is evident in the story when Mama and Kambili gives huge cheques to their lawyers who know
the right people to bribe, such as the judges who rules over the case of Jaja, policemen and a
doctor who is also bribed to treat Jaja after he has being flogged, for spitting on a guard. Again,
the cell guard is bribed so his mum and sister can give him food and have quality time with him;
a treatment that is not given to other prisoners. Kambili also recalls an instance where papa tells
them that there are huge sums of money in foreign bank accounts by cabinet ministers. These
monies are meant for paying teachers’ salaries and building roads. Also, Ade Coker is
assassinated in a bomb blast for exposing the wrong doings of government in the news paper, the
standard, where he is an editor. Moreover, the military government does not allow the university
staff to elect their own administrator and this leads to a protest. All the above create a condition
of silence in Nigeria; where everyone refuse to air the mishaps in the community excerpt the
Standard New Paper.
In conclusion, we can say Purple Hibiscus as a post colonial text has projected the diminishing
of African Culture as a result of the introduction of foreign culture on the continent.
CHAPTER FIVE - SETTING
Setting is very important to the overall comprehension of a text. DOLT defines setting as the
physical, and sometimes spiritual, background against which the action of a narrative takes place
(1963). It is interesting to note that the names of the towns used are geographical locations in
Nigeria. Towns such as Enugu, Nsukka and the village of Abba are all found in Nigeria. The
setting of the various episodes in the text is strategic and enhances the understanding of the text.
The fact that Eugene, a wealthy business man lives in Enugu quite tells of the lifestyle of those
residing at Enugu; that it is a society populated by the working class if not the middle upper
class. It’s a city or place of fashion with all the modern social amenities. Cars with federal
government plates are seen roving about town. And when bribe is mentioned in the text, it takes
place at Enugu. Coup, oppression and all takes place at Enugu. Significantly, the first time
hibiscus is mentioned in the text, it is found at the Achieke house but the narrator states of the
‘hibiscus’ that it “push out sleepy buds” and even when they grow, they are often “cut” and
“yanked”. Then too St. Agnes parish where father Benedict takes liberty at changing things at his
whim and caprices is also situated at Enugu. The above instances attest to the fact that Enugu is a
place of social injustice, hardship and oppression where growth or development of any sort, does
not take place. Eugene is an embodiment of Enugu. Symbolically, the names Enugu and Eugene
have few syntactic features in common; both start with “E”, and contain “U” and “G”. It is
therefore, significant that the demonstrators on the road are heard chanting “freedom”. Indeed,
freedom from the oppression of Enugu and the ‘Eugenes’ in the system..
Abba is the hometown of the main character. It is the dwelling place of Papa Nnukwu, a major
character in the text. At the entrance to Abba, Kambili reads the words “welcome to Abba”
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Ardichie Chimamanda :Purple hibiscus notes

(p.63). Words and the description of the entrance and road imply that Abba is not as
sophisticated as Enugu but it is very welcoming and accommodating, which is characteristic of
papa Nnukwu.
Nsukka is where aunty Ifeoma resides. It is a centre for academic learning. The motto of the
school: to restore the dignity of man (pg.120). It’s no coincidence that Kambili and Jaja come to
a self realization at Nsukka where the “Purple Hibiscus’ that blooms is. Nsukka stands for
modesty and enlightenment which is what the main character becomes.

CHAPTER SIX - STRUCTURE

This is the “planned framework of a piece of literature” (DOLT. pg.116). As stated earlier, the
narrative is divided into four parts, which are.
 Breaking Gods subtitled, Palm Sunday
 Speaking with our spirits subtitled, Before Palm Sunday
 The Pieces of Gods subtitled, After Palm Sunday
 A Different Silence subtitled, the present
The structure of events as arranged relates to the very first sentence in the text: Things started to
fall apart at home”. Indeed, any collection of things that falls apart spatters and does not follow
any order which is how events in the narrative are.
The first part introduces a major conflict, Jaja’s refusal to attend communion and the immediate
reaction that follows from Papa and its aftermath. The second part takes the narrative back in
time to the events making up the narrative. The third part is a continuation of the first part. A
reading of the second and third parts brings a clearer understanding of events narrated at the first
part. The last part is the present time. It must be stated that the tense use in each part connotes to
the narrative time. Because the narrative time in the first, second and third parts are in the past,
the past tense is used. However, since the last part is the present, the present tense is used, hence
its title: The Present” (pg.297)
The title Purple Hibiscus is most appropriate as it’s gotten from the hibiscus flower in aunty
Ifeoma’s garden. Though other Hibiscus plants are mentioned, the one in aunty Ifeoma’s garden
blooms and blossoms just like the main characters, Kambili and Jaja in the novel.
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Ardichie Chimamanda :Purple hibiscus notes

CHAPTER SEVEN - SYMBOLS

TDOLT defines symbols as something which is itself and yet stands for or suggests or means
something else (pp.118-119). There are several symbols in the text, the title itself is symbolic.
However a few are here analyzed.
1. Figurines on the étagère: as long as Kambili can remember her mom polishes these
figurines and cherishes them. She spends time and energy polishing them so they will be
clean. The figurines that Mama Beatrice takes times off her busy schedules to polish
symbolize the family she does everything to protect. The breakup of the Achieka family
is marked with the breaking of the figurines. That Mama said she is not going to replace
the broken figurines, a thing she cherishes means the total disintegration of the family,
which culminates with the poisoning of Eugene.
2. Mama and Jaja clearing the broken pieces of the jar or wall hanging: that mama and Jaja
clear the left over broken pieces of the figurines is symbolic. Why Mama and Jaja and not
Mama and Kambili or Mama and Sisi. Their clearing is sequel to Mama’s poisoning of
Eugene and Jaja taking the blame.
3. Mama Beatrice’s miscarriages: Mama Beatrice confesses to haven had several
miscarriages all due to the maltreatment by her ‘dearest’ husband. As has already been
stated, her husband represents the confused state of the colonized African. His wife’s
miscarriages represents the numerous plans and ideas that are prematurely aborted or
miscarried in African due to political instability and the indiscriminate conflict situation.
4. Purple: that the writer is fascinated with colours is evident not only in this text of hers.
For instance in this text alone she uses pink, green, blue, black etc. the use of these
different colours can possibly symbolize the multiracial nature in which Africa has
become. The hibiscus at Enugu are not purple but red, those symbolize hybridity of
Eugene or the subjectivity and masochism of Mama Beatrice. On the contrast, those at
Nsukka are purple in color; they symbolize the originality and steadfastness of auntie
Ifeoma and her father.
5. Hibiscus: this flower or plant is a representation of hope. It is worthy of note that they
were not planted only at Nsukka but Kambili mentions that at their house, they have
some planted. Those hibiscus plants push out sleepy buds, are often cut or yanked at. But
the ‘Purple Hibiscus’ at Nsukka is often nurtured and protected from unusual puckers.
The yanking of the flowers at Enugu and the protection of similar flowers at Nsukka is
representative of the treatment that both environments mets out on its residents.
6. Rain: it is symbolic of hope.

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Ardichie Chimamanda :Purple hibiscus notes

CHAPTER EIGHT - STYLE OF WRITING

The writer adopts the first person subjective narrative voice where the narrator functions as a
character in the text. In this instance she is the main character and the story revolves around her
family. Though told from her perspective, words of other characters are put in quotation marks
to differentiate them from those of the heroine. For instance, “And the priest keeps touching my
mouth and it nauseates me” Jaja said.(pg. 14), “Papa-Nnukwu, are you comfortable?” Amaka
asked (pg.92).
In her analysis of Purple Hibiscus, Akowuah (2012) identifies other writing styles peculiar to
Adichie. These include the following:
Firstly, the narrator taking part in events in the story as evidenced in the statement, “Papa started
the rosary as we drove onto the express way’’(pg.62) , “we left Abba right after New year’s ’’
(pg.111). From these statements, Akowuah asserts that the narrator is actively involved in the
happenings in the story. At a point, she (i.e. narrator) withdraws from the other characters to give
her observations but then again comes back to be identified with the rest of the characters. Haven
withdrawn from the other characters, the narrator engages in introspection. Examples of
introspection used by the narrator in the novel are: “when I thought of heaven as a child, I
visualized Papa’s room, the softness, the creaminess, the endlessness”, (pg.41), “I thought about
her, too, on Monday, as Papa drove me to school”, (pg. 44) and “I wondered what questions they
were and if Father Benedict, too, had those questions”, (pg.178).
Also, Akowuah cites instance where the narrator gives her own opinion in the novel. An example
is found in the statement “I knew something was wrong right away because it was papa who
always placed the call’’, (pg.290). Here, the narrator does not only say that something happens
but also expresses her opinion to buttress the possibility that something might have happened.
Another instance is ‘‘I wondered if it was irritation that made her lower her eyebrows’’. It is
necessary to pay attention to the fact that the narrator’s opinion is often what goes on in her mind
and that which is not known to the other characters but the reader. In drama this is called a
soliloquy. This is the situation where a character on stage expresses his inner thoughts which are
only known to the audience and not the other characters.
Again, Akowuah mentions cases where the narrator speaks on behalf of other characters as seen
in: “we didn’t need them; our bags and brown leather sandals were still new, only a term old”,
the narrator here speaks on behalf of her brother, Jaja. Since the narration is done by one person,
the narrator speaks on behalf of the other characters. In the statement, “inside the market, we
shrugged off traders who pulled us along the dark passages”. The narrator explains the reaction
of the other characters in the novel.
In addition to the points raised above, Akowuah adds that the narrator in Purple Hibiscus is a
witty observer who creates humor in the novel. For instance, she describes Amaka as, ‘‘in her
white lacy bra and light blue underwear, she looked like a Hausa goat: brown, long and lean’’,
(pg. 117). In her description of Ade Coker, Kimbili says, “He looked like a stuffed doll, and
because he was always smiling, the deep pimples in his pillowy cheeks looked like permanent

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Ardichie Chimamanda :Purple hibiscus notes

fixtures, as though someone had sunk a stick into his cheeks”,(pg.56). The description of these
characters is dint with a mockery.
All the above just discussed are features of modern narratology, where the narrative in attempt to
depict life distorts narrative time in fiction. The paramount aim of which is realism.
CHAPTER NINE - DICTION
The narrative is written from the perspective of a fifteen year old girl, as such language use is
colloquial, in other words every day English, and as such the words and expressions used are
very simple illustrative of a narrative coming from fifteen year old.
Contracted forms and short sentences also abound in the text. All these add to the informality of
the texts, as society usually use the informal language as the setting of the novel depicts thereby
enhancing the realism in the text.
CHAPTER TEN - CONFLICT
The key conflict in the text bothers on two key issues:
1. The interpretation and for that matter, the misapplication of one belief system versus the
interpretation, and for that matter, the application of another belief system. The focal
point in the conflict is “love your neighbor as yourself” and how the agent of each system
understands and applies this rule. Eugene is one agent, his father is the other.
2. Extremism (Subjectivity) versus Liberalism (objectivity). Eugene exhibits extremism and
takes an entrenched position in his belief system. He applies this ruthlessly to his wife
and children at home, and even to his father whom he refuses to have anything to do
with. The result of his practice is evident in the way he dies and how his children become
timid. Auntie Ifeoma on the other hand, approaches issues in a liberal and objective way.
The love and care she gives to her father are unconditional. She is compassionate towards
her children and those of her brother. She allows her children freedom to explore and
learn to be independent. Again, this second issue can be viewed in the context of
patriarchy on one hand which is harsh, intolerant and domineering and feminism on the
other, which is subtle, compassionate and accommodation. Eugene represents patriarchy
while Auntie Ifeoma represents feminism. She can be taken for a foil to Eugene.
CHAPTER ELEVEN - GLOSSARY
In compiling the glossary of words, The Longman Dictionary of Comptemporary English (1978)
was an invaluable assert. In other cases, the internet was also consulted. Below is an assembly of
few words and expressions as found in the text:
Grimace: to make a expression of pain, annoyance which makes the face look unnaturally
twisted
Unction: the act of putting oil on a person as a religious ceremony, especially in the Catholic
Church at the end of life.

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Ardichie Chimamanda :Purple hibiscus notes

Communion: - A group of people or religious organization having the same religious beliefs.
Holy Communion: refer to the religious service in protestant churches in which bread and wine
are shared in a solemn ceremony as a sign of Christ body and blood in remembrance of his death;
the Eucharist.
Mass: a piece of music written specially for all the main parts of the mass i.e. Christian religious
services as used in catholic and orthodox churches.
Wafer: flour, sugar etc. cooked in the form of a vey thin cake used in the Christian religious
ceremony if holy communion.
Missal: a book containing the complete religious service during the year for mass used in the
Roman Catholic Church
Figurines: a small ornamental human figure made of baked clay or cut stone.
Sequin ( + or - ed): a very small flat round shiny ornament of metal or plastic used for sewing
onto a piece of clothing (often over a large area) for ornament.
Credo: the third part of the Christian religious service called the mass, especially when
performed with music.
Kyrie: a prayer for God’s mercy, which is the first part of the religious service called the Mass
CHAPTER TWELVE - CONCLUSION
The art exhibited in Purple Hibiscus is beyond comprehension. This work set out to analyse the
plot, characters, themes, setting, conflict, language use, style of writing etc. There is no doubt
that all these aspects of the novel has been thoroughly explored in this piece. It is hoped that this
work will be an invaluable assert to future researchers on the novel under consideration. The
beauty of the text lies in the fact that one is able to return to it overly and enjoy at each time. No
wonder the writer has had so much acclamations and awards.
WORKS CITED
Adichie, N. C (2006). Purple Hibiscus. Farafina. Lagos, Nigeria
(2009). The Thing Around Your Neck, Farafina. Lagos. Nigeria
(2006). Half of a Yellow Sun, Farafina, Lagos. Nigeria
(2013). Americana, Farafina, Lagos. Nigeria
Akowuah, M.A. (2012). A Critical Analysis of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Purple

Hibiscus. An unpublished project work submitted at Kwame Nkrumah

Universty of Science and Technology.

Aristotle. (1967) Poetic. Translated with introduction and notes by Gerald F.

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Ardichie Chimamanda :Purple hibiscus notes

Else. Michigan: Ann Arbor Paperbacks.

Defoe, D. ( Reprint, 2008). Robinson Crusoe. UBSPD. New Delhi.

Osei-Boakye, E. (2011). The Literature Review of the Upbringing of Children in Purple Hibiscus
by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. An Unpublished project work submitted at Central
University.
The Dictionary of literary Terms. Coles Publishing Company Ltd. Toronto, Canada. (1963)
Paul . P. (edi. In chief) (1978). The Longman Dictionary of Comptemporary English. Charles
McGregor (Publishing Administration)

About the Author

Gladys Agyeiwaa Denkyi - Manieson Obtained her B.A. English and History (Hons) degree
from the University of Cape Coast in 2004. She obtained her master’s degree from the University
of Ghana in 2008.
Among the schools she taught in are: Ejuraman Anglican Senior High School (Ejura), Kumasi
Wesley Girls Senior High School (Kumasi) and Ghanatta Senior High School (Dodowa). She
currently teaches English Language and Literature at Central University, Accra, Ghana. She is a
fan of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and has written several articles on her writings.

About the Book

This book is a guide to all readers of Purple Hibiscus. It serves as an aid in the understanding,
interpretation and total enjoyment of the book. Among some of the key issues discussed are:
Plot, Characters, Themes, Setting, Conflicts, Glossary etc.

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