Plot
What role does Jaja play in Kambili’s life?
Protector, confidante, etc.
Which character represents colonialism, abuse, patriarchal society, and oppression?
Papa Eugene
Bring something under control by force.
Give the definition of submissive.
Meekly obedient or passive
What is the full name of the author of Purple Hibiscus?
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
How does Mama lose her pregnancies?
Papa beats her.
Which character represents Kambili's first love, the good side of faith, and a healthy relationship with authority?
Father Amadi
Give the definition of reverence.
Deep, almost fearful respect for someone or something
Give the definition of indulgent.
Having or indicating a tendency to be overly lenient with someone
Which African country is Adichie from?
Nigeria
List some examples of Papa's abuse.
Pouring boiling water on the children’s feet, beating the the children, beating Mama, etc.
How do Papa Eugene and Father Amadi represent different kinds of faith and authority to Kambili?
Papa Eugene represents an abusive, controlling type of faith that leads to him forming an unhealthy, abusive relationship with Kambili. He wants her to be better because he thinks you have to be perfect in order to be following their religion correctly. Father Amadi lives his life freely, loves openly, and is caring of everyone, no matter their background, showing the loving and healthy side of the religion.
Give the definition of coercion.
The practice of persuading someone to do something by using force or threats
Give the definition of dissonance.
A tension or clash resulting from the combination of two unsuitable elements
Name one of the universities from which Adichie received an honorary doctorate.
Eastern Connecticut State University, Johns Hopkins, University of Edinburgh, Duke, Amherst, Bowdoin, Georgetown, Yale, and many more.
Who poisons and kills Papa? Who takes the fall for it?
Mama poisons him. Jaja goes to jail for it.
How does Adichie use the motif of silence and speech to develop Kambili’s character?
Kambili, while being oppressed by her father's strict and abusive control, has learned to remain silent to appear as the loving and faithful daughter. As she learns that it is okay to speak up, to enjoy faith as she wants, and to love freely, she begins to use her voice to speak more often and even sing with Amaka.
Give the definition of authoritarian.
Favoring or enforcing strict obedience to authority at the expense of personal freedom.
Give the definition of martyr.
A person who is killed because of their religious or other beliefs
Adichie’s work has been translated into over __________ languages.
30
How has Kambili changed from the beginning of the novel to the end? What are the biggest indicators of her growth?
At the beginning, Kambili is the quiet, submissive daughter who just tries to please her father and has a very sheltered view of the world. She shows this by always trying to do what her father wants rather than what she wants. By the end of the novel, she grows into a woman who openly loves her family, speaks more often, and accepts her faith as it is.
Jaja saved the stalks of hibiscuses then notes on how they are about to bloom. How do purple hibiscuses symbolize Kambili’s growth throughout the novel?
At Papa Eugene's house, the hibiscuses are bright red, symbolizing Kambili's oppression in the harsh confines of Papa's religion. Throughout the story, we are introduced to the purple hibiscuses at Aunty Ifeoma's house, which represent Kambili's first tastes of freedom. Their blooming symbolizes Kambili's own growth and blooming into life and love as a girl free from oppression.
Give the definition of harmattan.
A very dry wind on the West African coast, occurring from December to February
Give the definition of zealotry.
Fanatical and uncompromising pursuit of religious, political, or other ideals.
Adichie participated in a song by a famous artist. Name the artist AND the song.
"Flawless" by Beyoncé