• Her works are rooted in her own culture
Adichie’s writing is strongly in uenced by her Nigerian background. In Purple Hibiscus, the
setting, language, food, and customs re ect Igbo culture. Even as characters live with Western
in uences, local culture shapes their identities and con icts.
• Neo-colonial family setup – father as dictator
In Purple Hibiscus, Eugene (Papa) behaves like a colonial ruler inside his own Nigerian home.
Although Nigeria is no longer under colonial rule, Papa has adopted the mindset of the colonizers.
He strictly follows Western (Catholic) beliefs and completely rejects traditional Igbo culture, calling
it “pagan.” He controls every part of his family’s life—what they say, think, and even when they
can speak.
This re ects neo-colonialism, where even after a country is politically independent, the in uence
of colonial ideas remains strong. Papa forces these ideas on his family, acting like a dictator. His
home becomes a mini version of a colonized society—ruled by fear, silence, and foreign values.
Kambili, Eugene’s daughter, always tries to please her father. She believes his love must be
earned through perfect behavior, silence, and obedience. Even when she su ers abuse, she longs
for his praise. This shows how children in strict, patriarchal homes are trained to seek approval
instead of developing their own identity.
• Religion and patriarchy as dominant forces
Religion (Catholicism) and patriarchy (male control) work together in the novel. Eugene uses
religion to justify punishing his wife and children. He believes he is saving their souls, but really, he
is enforcing power. In this way, religion and patriarchy support each other—keeping women and
children in fear and silence.
• Colonial ideology in people’s minds even in the postcolonial time
Even though Nigeria is politically independent, many characters in Purple Hibiscus still think and
act as if colonial values are superior. Eugene (Papa) is a clear example—he sees everything
Western (like Catholicism and English language) as good and rejects anything traditional (like Igbo
culture or native religion) as evil or sinful.
This shows how colonialism continues in the mind, even after it’s gone from the land. Papa’s
mindset is shaped by colonial education and religion, making him ashamed of his own culture. He
even refuses to visit his own father because he still follows traditional beliefs.
This kind of thinking is a form of mental or cultural colonization—where people are free, but still
live by the ideas of their former rulers. It shows how deep the impact of colonialism goes,
a ecting identity, beliefs, and family relationships.
• Post-independence desire to reconnect with roots
After independence, some characters want to return to traditional values. Aunty Ifeoma mixes
religion with culture, speaks the Igbo language proudly, and raises her children with love and
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freedom. Her way of life shows that people can move forward while also respecting their roots.
This contrasts with Eugene, who clings to colonial ideas.
• Our New Christ (check)
This phrase refers to how people replace one powerful gure with another. Eugene (Papa)
becomes like a new Christ in his family—someone who is worshipped and feared. He uses
religion to control his household, acting like a savior but behaving like a dictator. It criticizes how
blind devotion can become dangerous.
• Symbolic signi cance of the title – Purple Hibiscus
The purple hibiscus is a rare ower in Aunty Ifeoma’s garden. It symbolizes freedom, change,
and hope. It grows in a home where people can speak freely and be themselves. The ower
stands for the possibility of a better life outside Eugene’s control.
• Associated with Jaja – change, discovery, transition, freedom
Jaja is connected to the purple hibiscus because he starts to change after visiting Aunty Ifeoma.
He becomes more con dent and begins to resist his father’s rules. His journey—from silence to
rebellion—re ects the themes of growth, freedom, and breaking away from oppression.
• From constraint to breaking free – journey of identity
Kambili starts o as quiet, scared, and controlled by her father. But after spending time with Aunty
Ifeoma, she begins to speak, laugh, and think for herself. This journey shows how she moves from
being trapped to discovering her own identity and voice. It’s a story of personal growth and
freedom.
• Critical analysis – Eugene Achike (Papa)
Eugene is a complex character. He’s generous to the church and speaks out for democracy in
public. But at home, he is abusive and controlling. He uses religion to justify violence. His
character shows how someone can seem good on the outside but be harmful in private—
especially when they blindly follow colonial and religious ideals.
• Critical analysis – Aunty Ifeoma
Aunty Ifeoma is independent, educated, and open-minded. She raises her children with love and
freedom. She respects both tradition and modern ideas. Unlike Eugene, she encourages others to
think and speak for themselves. Her character represents hope, change, and a better future for
post-colonial Nigeria.
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They have internalised the patriarchal system and dominance so much. (The mother and the
daughter) that they never say one single negative word against him.
Daily schedule in Jaja’s life ( Prepared by the father)
Paper like order- shows his dominance - he likes - decorum
The schedule prepared by the father includes everything — meal time, family times study time.
They had to follow that schedule accordingly
Plow personal has been connected to history.
Kanen is the driver in the family.
The familial of the private sphere of the home never changed even though everything outside their
private space began to change. They still had to follow the schedule seat by the father.
When they went to fathere benedicts hoise,
The mother did not feel well as she was pregnant and she did not want to go and be seated in the
car. But despite the mother feeling sick, the father ignored and did not care about her condition
and kept asking her to sincerely to come with them - ultimately he forced her to come out from
the car.
Religion and Patriarchal ideologies in the novel that was ingrained in the minds of the family
members by the father.
The kind of violence the mother su ers - the father used to beat his wife to such an extent that
the children always used to hear the sounds from their parents’ room. The mother was pregnant
and when the father beats her (?), the baby dies, means the baby has gone because of the
father’s violence.
They are the victims of patriarchal ideologies.
At that time, the daughter did not even realise the struggles of her mother, manipulated by the
father.
The prayer scene - which was for their mother’s forgiveness - is a good example.
[Image 2]
The father was arrested because he wrote something against the government.
When the daughter came second in the class - out of 85 students - the father did not was not
proud of her. He says that he has been spending so much money for the children and expects
they score the highest. He could not stand that and punishes her by putting my feet into boiling
water.
He always wanted his children to come rst and hence was not satis ed.
“Each heaving steps called turbulence to the children.”
“Came came second because you choose to - ”
The story brings personal and political together.
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“Discipline was important” - “Where is your class” -
“Papa changed his accent when he spoke, sounding British”.
“How many heads that girl have?”
“How can you let her come rst?”
The daughter has no friends at school. She cannot express her feelings easily. She is very hesitant
which is a result of the ideologies of her father.
[Image 3]
The Pyramid / 6 / 05 / 25
Dictatorship, totalitarianism -
impacts
How the rise of power + the larger social structure of society, their stories are shaped.
To glorify one death, millions of other people had been used and it caused them death.
King - Cheops
Pyramidal structure of power.
Su erings of the people.
The news of Cheops’ no possibility of not having a pyramid shocked everyone.
He closed down temples in Egypt -
1st wanted Egyptian people to end the sacred traditions.
From not wanting a pyramid to making the most giant, greatest of all pyramids.
[Image 4]
Purple Hibiscus / 6 / 05 / 25
Omelora - ? A rare title.
When he received the title, he detached himself from the roots, their indigenous roots and
devoted himself to the postcolonial…
He wanted his children to speak civilized and it was possible for them only by speaking good
English.
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Signi cance of the title is very important.
When somebody speaks in English in his village, he felt proud.
Heathen people / ungodly people / Regan
Papa-Nnukwu - Grandfathers of Kambili and Jaja - who practise the traditional Igbo religion
instead of Catholicism.
“Don’t touch any food. You will not stay longer than fteen minutes.”
A coming of age novel -
The grandfather prayed always for this sons - Jaja realised it and from here, their perspective
gradually changed.
Image 1:
Started changing.
Eugene’s Catholic Beliefs – He stopped visiting his own father because he did not support Igbo
beliefs and religion – and practiced Christianity.
Description of the grandfather’s house – and their meeting with him.
Aunt Ifeoma is a widow and a university professor – Jaja and his sister didn’t even know their
cousins. Ifeoma used to visit her father and gave him medicine.
Ifeoma and Eugene quarrelled.
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Aro festival – a festival in Nigeria / a festival of the heathen people. Heathen people are known to
be connected with spirits.
Image 2:
Umunna – relatives – extended family.
Aunt Ifeoma –
They ran out of fuel – and there was no fuel because of the ongoing political strike.
“I couldn’t tear my eyes away” –
Kambili observes Ifeoma and admires her and takes her as her role model.
Everytime Ifeoma is very resilient and loud.
She talks, she does not fear Eugene at all.
Amaka, the daughter of Ifeoma – and Kambili – and their character di erence.
Di erence and contrast between the children of Eugene and Ifeoma.
1. The dualistic representation of two households.
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