How is Family Relationships Portrayed in Purple Hibiscus?
According to Websters dictionary A family relationship is relatedness or connection by blood or marriage or adoption. The novel Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie explores the growth process of the main character, Kambili Achike as she struggles to make her mouth function within the totalitarian temperament of her father, Papa Eugene, a wealthy industrialist in Enugu, Nigerian home. Kambili is involved in a crisis with religious and domestic stakes at the beginning of the novel. She seems to be a mere observer and victim, but as the novel drags towards the end she realizes her voice and role in the home after her visit from Aunty Ifeomas house. This paper will explore how family relationships are portrayed in Purple Hibiscus. For example in this novel the author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie reveals themes of violence, fear, friendship, and love within the family.
What is Violence? Violence is the use of physical force to apply a state to others. At the heart of the novel, things are literally falling apart in the family home as the writer Adichie shows throughout the first pages of the book. Things started to fall apart at home when my brother Jaja did not go to communion and Papa flung his heavy missal across the room and broke the figurines on the tagre. This shows that in their family home violence is portrayed by Papa Eugene. This family relationship does not portray kindness but a relationship of abuse and violence. He started to kick me, the metal buckles on his slippers stung like giant mosquitos. Throughout the novel it shows Kambilis story and more of how she was abused mentally, and physically. For example, On return to Enugu, she is punished for walking into sin (sleeping in the same room as her heathen grandfather) by having hot water poured onto her bare feet. Further, Kambilis mothers relationship with Papa Eugene was also abusive. It is clear in the novel that she was beaten. Adichie reveals After her mothers miscarriage following a beating the family prays for her forgiveness. I did not even think to think what Mama needed to be forgiven for. This shows how Papa Eugene is insecure and a despotic character. From his acts of violence and abuse the reader can see how Adichie used him to create an atmosphere of terror and fear.
Moreover, Adichie points out the fear within the family. Kambilis character is a shy, obedient daughter eager to impress Papa Eugene. This is revealed when Kambili said, God will deliver us. I said, knowing Papa would like me saying that. Then he reached out and held my hand, and I felt my mouth were full of melting sugar. Unfortunately Kambili tries so hard to please Pap Eugene because of her fear of him. Kambili is painfully shy with strangers, socially awkward with her peers and even at home she rarely speaks above a whisper. This shyness is a result of her fear of Papa Eugene. Sadly, she cannot express herself, and, therefore, she suppresses her feelings. Adichie exposes this when Then I will die. And he looked Papa in the face now. Then at the table, he refuses to speak and leaves the table before the final prayers. Unlike, Kambili her brother Jaja does not fear papa Eugene. Instead he speaks out and stands up to papa Eugene. As Adichie states, I had never thought about the university, where I would go or what I would study. When the time came, Papa would decide.Throughout the novel Adichie also mentions the fear that mama has of Papa Eugene. When Mamas figurines are broken she silently comes in and picks them up with bare hands. She does not challenge him or comment in any way. Her Igbo words were low and calming. Mama is physically abused by Papa but suffers in silence. She speaks quietly, part of her obedient attitude towards her husband. Mama tries to make peace by giving tea to Papa and giving jobs to children. Only two weeks ago, her swollen eye was still the black-purple colour of an overripe avocado.
However, in the family home there are also relationships of friendship shown in the novel. Kambili and her older brother Jaja have a strange relationship but of friendship. Throughout the novel you can see different aspects were Kambili and Jaja show their friendship of one another. Jaja is Kambilis ally at home. In one point in the novel they miss not being able to eat lunch together because they were separated and had to attend different schools. Jaja and Kambili communicate wordlessly towards each other following events such as their fathers abuse towards the family. Jaja is brave and takes the blame for staying later at Papa Nnukwus house. Good afternoon Papa. Jaja and I said. Kevin said you stayed up to twenty five minutes with your grandfather. I wasted time, it was my fault, Jaja said. Jaja also takes the blame a Second time for mama who has allowed Kambili to break fast before Mass because she has to take a panadol for her cramps. Jaja cut her short. I told her to eat corn flakes before she took Panadol, Papa. I made it for her. Another act of friendship is shown to the reader when Jaja once again takes the blame for mama when she poisons Papas tea. Jaja did not wait for their questions he told the he had used rat poison, that he put it in Papas tea.
Lastly, although throughout the novel there was a lot of anger, violence, fear, and terror there was also love. Love is shown in the novel when Kambili and Jaja go to their aunts house in Nussuka. Kambili develops a friendly relationship with a young priest, Father Amadi. Not until her visit to her aunts house she hasnt realized her attraction for boys. She develops feelings for the young priest; she becomes sexually aroused. She admits to Amaka she has a crush on Father Amadi and learns that he also cares deeply for her. More than priestly concern says Amaka, he sounded like a person whose wife was sick. On the way home, she sings Igbo chorus songs. Later she finds the courage to say I love you to Father Amadi. You are beautiful. You will find more love than you will need in a lifetime.
In conclusion, there are many different aspects of the novel, Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie that portrays relationships in the family of Kambili, Jaja, Mama, and Papa Eugene one way or another. There is a relationship between each character of purple Hibiscus but is seen more through some. Many scenes of the novel portray different themes that represent relationships such as violence, fear, friendship and love. This is shown throughout the novel of Purple Hibiscus.
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