The Twists and Turns in Purple Hibiscus, a Novel by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie , Download Views 1 Table of contents Superiority of the church Colonialism Fear Self Contradiction Superiority of the church Papa is shown as a man with a lot of power and even is seen as close to god regarding leadership in the church. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. Unlike Papa, Aunty Ifeoma is more receptive to a belief that doesnt align with hers. Papa believes it is his duty to deliver his country and his children to heaven. There Did Jaja and Obiroa show their vulnerabilities at times, or did they see them as a weakness? She does not agree with the supremacy of the European religion. March 3, 2023, SNPLUSROCKS20 Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. His refusal to convert causes Papa to shun him, regardless of family ties and duty. Purple Hibiscus is a novel authored by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. As Mama (Sister Beatrice) entertains her womens prayer group, Kambili tells Jaja about the pregnancy. I wished she had said Uncle Eugene instead of your father. She did not even look at me as she spoke. You'll also receive an email with the link. Kambili takes her school exams and comes in second, though she usually comes in as first. Contact us She lives under the strict Catholic rule of her father, who expects his children to succeed at all costs. What is the emotional atmosphere in Kambili's home? There are references to nature throughout the book. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. Ultimately, she realizes she must protect her children and poisons her husband. Though she may not recognize that she is as determined as the snail, her strength grows as it is nurtured by the love of her aunt and Father Amadi. However, she is the one who poisons her husband. Early the next morning, Aunty Ifeoma asks Kambili to watch Papa-Nnukwu. They travel in three cars and take along enormous amounts of food and drink. He demands perfection from Jaja and Kambili, plans every moment of their lives, and punishes them physically if they dont follow his plan. Papa-Nnukwu had woken up before everyone else.. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. Amaka is critical of her cousin's wealth and meekness. He clings onto his mother and to both Obiora and Father Amadi. Read the Study Guide for Purple Hibiscus, The Power of Setting in "Purple Hibiscus" by Chimamanda Adichie, Fathers and Sons in Purple Hibiscus and Things Fall Apart, View the lesson plan for Purple Hibiscus, View Wikipedia Entries for Purple Hibiscus. You can view our. Against Papas wishes and without his knowledge, Aunty Ifeoma takes Kambili and Jaja to a traditional festival. When Amaka comes to visit Kambili and her family during Christmastime, Kambili notices her bold, colorful lipstick. Fifteen-year-old Kambili lives in luxury in Enugu, Nigeria. Jaja who has had enough of Papas unwarranted violence and control begins to stand up for himself. Though the abuse worsens over time, she refuses to leave. Jaja, Kambili's older brother, is often motivated by his desire to protect his family from punishment. Papa, the patriarch, was schooled in Britain and adopts and English-inflected accent when speaking in public. 3. Papa has died. Just as Palm . Even though she didnt see the apparition, Aunty Ifeoma saw new life in her niece. The authorities arrest Ade Coker, and Papa takes on the role of editor. Look at what He did to his faithful servant Job, even to His own Son. (one code per order). Jaja is the first to notice the purple hibiscus growing in Aunty Ifeoma's garden. Her father is late. smmarti21. Papas father, Papa-Nnukwu, also lives in Abba. Aunty Ifeoma chats with Mama and describes the civil unrest and shortages of food and fuel that plague Nsukka. -Graham S. A young, handsome Nigerian priest who is friends with, The white, British, conservative Catholic priest at St. Agnes. He is killed by a letter bomb bearing the State Seal. Newly uploaded documents. After both his sister and mother are hospitalized from beatings, Jaja begins to rebel. From that moment on, everything changes. She is confident and happy, blossoming in the attention of her aunts family and also Father Amadi. Aunty Ifeoma, Papas sister, arrives in Abba. Kambili and Jaja know their father will be furious, but they say nothing, even when Aunty Ifeoma drives them to the Aro festival so they can see the mmuo, masqueraders who represent the spirits. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie writes about. [1] Synopsis [ edit] Purple Hibiscus is set in postcolonial Nigeria, a country beset by political instability and economic difficulties. The Achike family reflects both the roots of their ancestry and the impact imperialism has had on their traditions. "There are people, she once wrote, who think that we cannot rule ourselves because the few times we tried, we failed, as if all the others who rule themselves today got it right the first time. Everything you need for every book you read. Why did He have to murder his own son so we would be saved? Gabriella is a student at Kambili's school. The main characters Kambili and her brother who are used to a quiet breakfast, lunch, or dinner are quite surprised that their cousins can freely converse at the table and everywhere else. There, they stand under a flame-of-the-forest tree, and Kambili sees an image of the Blessed Virgin. "Last card!" Amaka announced, smug, placing down a card. She is fiercely loyal to her Nigerian roots despite her Catholic upbringing. On Christmas Day, the family attends church at St. Pauls in Abba. To Papa, being a good Nigerian entails two things exposing corruption and strict adherence to faith. Father Benedict is austere and offers only his view of religion. the women and get them fall submissive. It practices a completely different form of Catholicism, making for a happy, liberal place that encourages its members to be inquisitive, form their own opinions and speak their minds. Kambili lives with her older brother Jaja (Chukwuku Achike), a teenager who, like his sister, excels at school but is withdrawn and sullen. Amaka is critical of her cousins wealth and meekness. Mama refuses visitors. $18.74/subscription + tax, Save 25% Though his father is dead, Obiora seems to have a deeper connection with his fathers ancestors. Jaja breaks with his faith at this point. The next morning, Aunty Ifeoma and the cousins pick up Kambili and Jaja. Haruna is the man who works at the gate of the Achike family's home in Abba. Purple Hibiscus essays are academic essays for citation. In the early chapters of the novel, Mama suffers the same fate, losing a child because of Papas violence. Father Amadi loans Ifeoma a gallon of gas so that she can get her father and bring him to Nsukka. You can view our. Jaja stays in his room all the time. At Mamas urging, Kevin packs extra supplies for Aunty Ifeoma. Papa-Nnukwu is Papa's father, who holds to his traditional religion rather than convert to Catholicism. Back home in Enugu, Kambili and Jaja see their Mamas swollen face and black eye. You'll also receive an email with the link. GradeSaver, 12 May 2012 Web. Aunty Ifeoma's politically savvy teenage daughter, Amaka becomes Kambili's friend and gives her a painting of Papa-Nnukwu. Long after she and Aunty Ifeoma had gone to bed, I sat on the verandah with Amaka and Obiora, playing whotObiora had taught me to play all the card games. That afternoon, Kambili and Jaja hear loud thuds coming from their parents bedroom. In what ways are Aunty Ifeoma and Mama similar? Jaja is rational and protective and more outgoing than his sister. At home, Papa scolds Jaja for not taking communion, and Jaja talks back. Literariness.org-Adichie-Chimamanda-Ngozi-Purple-Hibiscus--HarperCollins-Publishers.pdf. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. Amaka continues her portrait project. Kambili, her seventeen-year-old brother Jaja, and their parentsPapa and Mamainhabit a huge house inside a walled compound. I didnt know he visits peoples homes, Amaka said, as we went downstairs. Sometimes it can end up there. Subscribe now. You may cancel your subscription on your Subscription and Billing page or contact Customer Support at custserv@bn.com. answer choices . Purple Hibiscus. They insisted that people take English names to be baptized. Kambili makes plans for their future, and Mama smiles. It is thus, both an engaging read an and interesting starting point for writing work . [2] Beatrice even has two miscarriages because of the violence. Kambili and Jaja hear Papa-Nnukwu recount an Igbo folktale. Aunty Ifeoma loses her university job and applies for a visa so she can go to America. SparkNotes PLUS I sang as I bathed. At this point, Kambili still clings to her ingrained understanding of faith. Alina fully simplifies this polynomial and then writes it in standard form. Other minor characters in the book include Aunty Chioma, Celestine, Chidifu and Sisi. Father Amadi takes Kambili to the market to have her hair braided. 140-142. Mama comes home from the hospital, and Kambilis life resumes its strict routine. Later on when Kambili goes to visit Aunty Ifeoma and her family at their home in Nsukka, she sees the lipstick for the second time, sitting in Amaka's bedroom. After dinner, Papa summons Kambili upstairs. After Kambili gets out of the hospital, she and Jaja go back to Nsukka to stay with Aunty Ifeoma. Contact us Jaja fits in more easily. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. Papa begins to scold Kambili for losing first place when the phone rings. 20% Literariness.org-Adichie-Chimamanda-Ngozi-Purple-Hibiscus--HarperCollins-Publishers.pdf. Struggling with distance learning? We're sorry, SparkNotes Plus isn't available in your country. Kambili remembers him speaking at St. Agnes on Pentecost. The authoritarian Papa who conveniently abandons his father and culture is quick to pander to the whims of European religion and civilization. He is respectful of his Nigerian roots, incorporating native Igbo songs of worship into his sermons. . She loves Papa but does not want to live in his shadow. Later, Ifeomas children arrive. They understood each other, using the sparest words. The sip of hot tea usually burns Kambilis tongue but she takes it as love burning into her. Save over 50% with a SparkNotes PLUS Annual Plan! Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. Eugene is both a religious zealot and a violent figure in the Achike household, subjecting his wife Beatrice, Kambili herself, and her brother Jaja to beatings and psychological cruelty. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. A professor friend of Aunty Ifeoma's, who is critical of a move to America. Papa agrees to let Kevin take them. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Struggling with distance learning? He develops an intense friendship with Kambili. Jaja is exposed to a different way of life both through the liberal beliefs of his aunt and the traditionalist rituals of his grandfather. Overtime, Amaka and Kambili come to understand one another and a sisterly bond is forged through adversity. August 23, 2019. Jaja soon fits in with Obiora, Chima, and the neighborhood boys, but Kambili has trouble getting along with Amaka, who makes snide comments about rich people. Renews March 10, 2023 Amaka and Kambili wake up to discover that Papa-Nnukwu has no heartbeat. Everything changes. Several themes are at play in this quote. for a group? At their country mansion in Abba, Papa receives an endless stream of villagers and bestows gifts on them, while Mama and the other women feed the visitors. He enjoys lively debate with both Amaka and Obiora. to start your free trial of SparkNotes Plus. She must learn the simplest household tasks, and her cousin, Amaka, sneers at her for being rich. Papa believes it is ungodly to sing Christian songs that have been translated to Igbo. However, after talking to Papa on the phone, Mama decides to return home. Aunty Ifeoma cannot believe that Mama would consider returning to her home after the beating-induced miscarriage. Aunty Ifeoma's friend, Phillipa left the university in Nsukka and is teaching in America. In both books, complicated father-son relationships are portrayed. Jaja doesnt hug them, and the guard takes him away. Jaja is not permitted to visit with his grandfather for more than fifteen minutes a year. When Ifeoma tells him that Papa-Nnukwu has just died, Eugene berates her for not calling a priest. Introduction The novel, Purple Hibiscus uses many types of symbolism to express Papa's abusive behavior towards his wife and children. The novel speaks on certain aspects of Chimamandas life that are real, but it is not autobiographical. Kambili notices that his face appears swollen and covered in tiny pimples. Jaja thrives in this new environment and takes up Aunty Ifeomas enthusiasm for her rare purple hibiscus and the other flowers in her colorful garden. These are not hateful actions meant to exclude or inhibit ideals; they are actions against exclusion and inhibitionones of . Subscribe now. Mama spends a small fortune on lawyers and bribes to ease Jajas time in jail. Fear no longer rules, and with the impending blooming purple hibiscus, a new era is dawning. She is trapped in the basket of her fathers home and when she goes to Nsukka, she is crawling towards freedom. "Purple Hibiscus Characters". The new rains will come down soon. I reach out and place my arm around Mamas shoulder and she leans toward me and smiles. McKeever, Christine. Course Hero. If you don't see it, please check your spam folder. The book misses Jaja but hits Mamas ceramics collection and shatters the delicate figurines. Sisi is the Achike family's domestic servant. 79% average accuracy. Aunty Ifeoma uses her last fuel to drive them around the university district. Kambili chokes on her juice and becomes sick. She overhears Amaka asking Aunty Ifeoma if Kambili is abnormal. Returning to the idea that sometimes silence speaks louder than words, the novel shows how women can break through their silencing and how they can find new ways make their voices heard or even make them louder. Outside the prison, Mama hugs Kambili and thanks her. In times of his companys distress, she buys a copy of the newspaper to be more enlightened about the issue. Papa spends the holiday season greeting villagers and hearing their petitions. The treatment of the son by the father pertains to the abuse suffered at the hands of Papa as well. Plot for Purple Hibiscus * Purple Hibiscus takes place in Enugu, a city in post-colonial Nigeria, and is narrated by the main character, Kambili Achike. Jaja, have you not shared a drink with us, gbo? Chinwe Jideze is a girl in Kambili's class who comes in first in the exams during the first term, beating Kambili for the top scores in school. "Purple Hibiscus Study Guide." When she made a U-turn and went back the way we had come, I let my mind drift, imagining God laying out the hills of Nsukka with his wide white hands, crescent-moon shadows underneath his nails just like Father Benedicts. But have you ever wondered why? 23 Aug. 2019. My students love how organized the handouts are and enjoy tracking the themes as a class., Requesting a new guide requires a free LitCharts account. Accessed 4 March 2023. Kambili is undecided as well. But Jaja once told me that he heard that boys were flogged and made to bathe in the presence of a taunting crowd. He is questioning and mature and delights in intellectual debate. However, Kambili cant hang out with them because she knows Kevin will report any delay to Papa. Characters Character Analysis Character Map Purple Hibiscus | Characters Share Context Character Analysis Have study documents to share about Purple Hibiscus? on 50-99 accounts. Aunty Ifeoma, Papas sister, arrives in Abba with her three children: Amaka, a fifteen-year-old girl; Obiora, a slightly younger boy; and Chima, a boy of seven. While Kambili is prevented from having a solid relationship with her grandfather, Amaka is lucky. They reach Nsukka and drive through crowded, potholed streets into the university district. Members will be prompted to log in or create an account to redeem their group membership. It is not right.. Then they stop to pick up Papa-Nnukwu. Her debut novel, it was first published by Algonquin Books in 2003.[1]. At Aunty Ifeomas, Papa-Nnukwu sleeps on the floor in Amaka and Kambilis tiny bedroom. Weinbloom, Elizabeth ed. Papa beats her so badly for this that she miscarries again. Overtime, Amaka and Kambili come to understand one another and a sisterly bond is forged through adversity. By signing up you agree to our terms and privacy policy. and her household. The radio broadcasts the news of a military coup. While Okonkwo boldly displays his violence, however, Papa secretly practices his own. The next day, Jaja hobbles into Kambilis room. Jaja and I turned and went back upstairs, silently. Amaka reports that everyone is getting fat but that they are too busy to see each other. Aunty Ifeoma calls on Good Friday to tell them shes been fired for illegal activity. She does not offer Papa the same terse respect that Kambili is compelled to. Purple Hibiscus Essay Questions,Purple Hibiscus Essay. Visit us at https://www.gradesaver.com/purple-hibiscus/study-guide/video-purple-hibiscus to read the full video transcript and our study guide for this novel. Jaja informs Papa that he and Kambili are going to Nsukka. I don't think either of the boys showed much vulnerability. The hands she envisions creating the hills of Nsukka are white, as she has been taught to accept a white image of God. Her body is burning all over. Amaka is only one of the many people that brought about a change in Kambili life. Kambili wishes she had joined her cousins in the traditional response. Chima is the baby and does not yet have many responsibilites. Kambilis brother, who is about two years older than her. With Papas support, he is openly critical of the corrupt government and becomes a political target. After church, Papa explodes in rage and throws a heavy liturgical book at Jaja. Since the father of her children died, she has seen hard times. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie employs the use of literary devices such as simile, metaphor, juxtaposition, and foreshadowing to tell a tale of freedom from religion and maltreatment. "Purple Hibiscus Quotes and Analysis". Jaja reports that hes planted the hibiscus cuttings, and Kambili thanks Amaka for the painting. The only time Papa had talked about the ima mmuo was to say that the Christians who let their sons do it were confused, that they would end up in hellfire. I knew very little about it; women were not supposed to know anything at all, since it was the first step toward the initiation to manhood. Nsukka in general brigns change. 242. Fifteen-year-old Kambili lives in luxury in Enugu, Nigeria. His need to assume responsibility contributes to the novel's bittersweet conclusion. Amaka snake in the beginng to Kabilli does not care what, Aunty Ifeoma's eldest daughter, fifteen years old. Though Amaka is derisive towards her, Kambili longs to be understood by her cousin. Not affiliated with Harvard College. Kevin drives Kambili and Jaja to visit Aunt Ifeoma in Nsukka, where she lectures at the university. Please wait while we process your payment. Papa-Nnukwu explains Igbo folklore to his grandchildren. The most important themes in Purple Hibiscus have some quotes that support them. Your group members can use the joining link below to redeem their group membership. When Papa finds her eating before Mass, he breaks into a rage and beats Mama, Jaja, and Kambili with his belt. Describe an of import relationship in the text and explicate the consequence of that relationship on characters. This cannot go on, nwunye m, Aunty Ifeoma said. Okonkwo and Papa are highly patriarchal heads who are extremely abusive and toxic. Papa tells her she has fulfilled gods purpose. Unlike her brother, she respects the religion and traditions of her father. More books than SparkNotes. Lojay Breaking Bad Uloma Purple Hibiscus Potter Yahaya Bello Amaka Funke President-elect BRUNO MARS Cravity The Supreme Court jongdae Mason Greenwood Malami So LP . These sentences are from the first chapter of the Purple Hibiscus novel. .. A storm uproots trees in the garden and brings the familys satellite dish crashing to the ground. Political unrest grows at the university. He was an abusive and damaged man. They keep their secrets as the political situation worsens and Papa becomes ever more tense. Freedom and Tyranny: The theme of freedom vs tyranny appears in the novel, in the characters as well as the fight for freedom of expression. I did not say anything else until lunch was over, but I listened to every word spoken, followed every cackle of laughter and line of banter. The novel 'Purple Hibiscus' written by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a Bildungsroman that focuses on two very contrasting families. What effect does this have on Kambili and Jaja? Kevin drives Kambili and Jaja to Aunty Ifeomas home in Nsukka. Amaka begins painting his portrait. Want 100 or more? The Queen of the Tropics/rosa-sinensis. She is vocal and blunt that she can be mistaken for her mother (Aunty Ifeoma). His bond with Aunty Ifeomas family is strong. Mama cries as she tends to Kambilis burned feet. One morning, Papa subjects his family to an especially long prayer session, ending with a prayer for the conversion of his father, Papa-Nnukwu. Even worse, she brings Papa-Nnukwu along. Purple Hibiscus Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie This first book of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is set twenty to thirty years after the Nigerian Civil War, during the rule of General Ibrahim Babangida. "He was gracious, in the eager . Amaka screams, and Aunty Ifeoma hurries in. Amakas girlfriends come over after school, but Kambili cant join their conversation. The free trial period is the first 7 days of your subscription. Papa learns that Ade Coker is out of prison but has been severely tortured. Purple Hibiscus Study Guide. "I knew that when the tea burned my tongue, it burned Papa's love into me. Mama tells them that she has been in the hospital, after Papa beat her and caused a miscarriage. Aunty Ifeomas eldest son, fourteen years old. Kambili confesses that she enjoyed watching the mmuo and receives additional penance. Purple Hibiscus takes place in Enugu, a city of political conflict in post Colonial Nigeria. "We did that often, asking each other questions whose answers we already knew. The autopsy reveals he has been poisoned. He is warm and gentle to the children of the village, representing a modern take on faith. Upload them to earn free Course Hero access! (From her friends? But this time, Mama listens to Aunty Ifeomas plainspoken advice. The. Then Papa has Kevin drive Kambili and Jaja to visit Papa-Nnukwu, their grandfather. The novel ends almost three years after these events, on a cautiously optimistic note. He has heard from a family member in Abba that Papa-Nnukwu is staying at the flat. The story of Kambili Achikes transition from a dependent teenager to an independent one is told in Purple Hibiscus. (including. I suddenly wished, for him, that he had done the ima mmuo, the initiation into the spirit world. They see Papa hauling Mama downstairs like a sack. Her debut novel, it was first published by Algonquin Books in 2003. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. on 2-49 accounts, Save 30% . She is a very vocal activist and refuses to take an English name as instructed by the Church. It is not right that you dont know them well, your cousins. Then Papa-Nnukwu gets sick, and Aunty Ifeoma brings him to stay with her in Nsukka. Kambili and Jaja dont tell Papa that Papa-Nnukwu is now staying at Aunty Ifeomas house. You'll be billed after your free trial ends. While helping take care of Papa-Nnukwu, Kambili and Jaja get to know him and hear his stories. Continue to start your free trial. I thought the Igwe was supposed to stay at his place and receive guests. The Christmas holiday spent in the company of Aunty Ifeoma and, secretly, Papa-Nnukwu, is like an intiation ceremony of its own. Laughter always rang out in Aunty Ifeomas house . Ades wife. . He holds both up to extreme standards. Download a PDF to print or study offline. Your subscription will continue automatically once the free trial period is over. Not only did people influence Kambili, her environment also influenced her. FAQs How are Purple Hibiscus and Things Fall Apart Similar? Kambili wants to be like her cousin even though she does not fully comprehend her ways. Aunty Ifeoma appears on a list of disloyal lecturers at the university and defends her right to speak truth. When Papa discovers that his heathen father is living under the same roof as his children, he travels to Aunty Ifeomas to take them back home. events and thoughts in the book. Aunty Ifeomas youngest boy, seven years old. 2023. Papa changed his accent when he spoke, sounding British, just as he did when he spoke to Father Benedict. Aunty Ifeoma and Mama are actually two very different women. I looked at Jaja and wondered if the dimness in his eyes was shame. Kambili overhears him praying for blessings on his daughter Ifeoma, his son Eugene, and their children. We had to sound civilized in public, he told us; we had to speak English. Having found her voice, she sings. Kambili spends more time with Father Amadi, with whom she is now in love. He is a supportive ally of Papas, praising him constantly as one of the pillars of the community. Purple Hibiscus Characters Next Kambili Achike Kambili Achike The novel's narrator, a fifteen-year-old girl who is quiet and withdrawn, but an excellent student. Things fall apart is an allusion to one of the most well-known English-language books about Nigeria. Nature: The novel's title is a representation of freedom and hope. Change: The novel is set in a turbulent time in Nigeria's political history, where there is a vacuum of power and a dictator whose rise to power is present in references to oil shortages. Wed love to have you back! "Purple Hibiscus Study Guide." MamaKambili and Jaja's motherloves her children, but her continued submission to her abusive husband keeps her from intervening when her children are beaten. Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe, chronicles the decline of an Igbo clan leader in the shadow of British colonial rule and Christian missionaries. She is fiercely loyal to her Nigerian roots despite her Catholic upbringing. The flower becomes a symbol of freedom from, and even rebellion against, tradition, which Jaja embraces before Kambili does. Later, Aunty Ifeoma drives them all around on a final tour of Nsukka. Papa dies suddenly. 31 The delta method provides approximations to the mean and variance of a. I guess thats because your father is a Big Man.. When they get back home, they all make their confessions to Father Benedict. 8 months ago. Kambili feels sad that Father Amadi is a priest. After they leave the festival, Aunty Ifeoma drops Papa-Nnukwu off before taking Kambili and Jaja home. Aunty Ifeomas small, crowded flat has none of the luxuries Kambili is used to. Did you know you can highlight text to take a note? xy2 - 2x2y + 3y3 - 6x2y + 4xy2 if alina wrote the last term as 3y3, which must be the first term of her polynomial in standard form? When a house is on fire, you run out before the roof collapses on your head.. She shows them where students recently rioted over the lack of lights and water. A key period is the time Kambili and her brother spend at the house of her father's sister, Ifeoma, and her three children. Why is Kambili surprised by Amaka singing a traditional song after grace? From her feelings about Kambili?) It rained heavily the day Ade Coker died . She is open-minded and does not withhold kindness because of differences in religious practices. Papa drove us to Christmas Mass at St. Pauls.. Her reverence for nature comes across in her planting of new orange trees in her ancestral town, a symbol of new life and new beginnings. Papa is beloved in his community but is estranged from his own father and his traditional African culture. She replies that she likes the meal and when Amaka teases her about the food not being good enough for her, she doesnt reply and just watches the other children talk. She eats some cereal to coat her stomach so that she can take a pill to ease her cramps. . The Nigerian head of state is the leader of the government after the coup. Speaker: Amaka Context: When Amaka takes Kambili to her room for the first time, and decides to play music Significance: Amaka assumes that Kambili had this fancy sound system in her room when in reality, Papa would never allow her to listen to music. Students continue rioting, and the university is closed. This well-known and frequently studied novel contains a lot of distinct quotes. . The Igwe is a traditional ruler in the town of Abba. . The family worships every Sunday at St. Agnes. Imagine what the Standard would be if we were all quiet.. Newly uploaded documents. Back at the flat, Aunty Ifeoma tells Kambili and Jaja about an angry phone call from Papa. So quiet.. Mother Lucy is a nun at Kambili's school. All rights reserved. Thanks for creating a SparkNotes account! Ifeoma and Eugenes father. Papa seems to shrink as Jaja continues to defy him. Papa, and his faith, is literally and figuratively dead to Jaja at this point.