Themes in Purple Hibiscus

Main Themes / Issues

1.

2.
3. 4. 5.

From oppression to freedom Growing up/Search for Identity The Post-colonial legacy Domestic Violence and its effects Religion

Also: disintegration, language, silence.

Todays music: Fela Kuti

Born in Nigeria 1938 Studied music in London Played jazz music / high-life music in Nigeria During Biafran war went to LA Introduced to the ideas of Malcolm X and Black Panthers. Created Afro-beat music Songs criticise the military regimes for crimes Dreamed of Alternative society. Built a fence around house and declared it Kalakuta republic

Fela Kuti 2
His act of defiance was punished. Arrests, imprisonment and beatings. Became more and more outspoken and record sales went up 70s song Zombie satire of military. At one concert, riots broke out and group was arrested. Married 27 girls Formed own political party Movement of the People ran for president in 1979 but was refused Imprisoned in 1984 on trumped up charges Critic of colonialism, became spokesperson for Africa Died in 1997. 1 million people attended his funeral.

Theme 1: From Oppression to Freedom

Oppression Military dictatorship Domestic violence Silence Colonialism

Freedom Activism Loving family Speaking out Post colonialism reclaim culture

1. From Oppression to Freedom

Oppression in national context: Nigeria is oppressed by a military dictator Big Oga. Human rights abuses: e.g. disappearance + murder of prodemocracy activist Nwankiti Ogechi Ade Cokers death by letter bomb No freedom of speech

Historical context: Oppression in Nigeria

Novel is based on the time under the Abacha and Babangida juntas. Country ruled by tyrants: Gen Sani Abacha took power and dissolved all democratic political institutions. After a strike in the oil industry, he closed down media Only after his death in 1998 did things change

Nigerias history
1960s: Igbo people struggled for an independent state of Biafra and engaged in civil war to separate from Nigeria War lasted 2 years and claimed over 1 million deaths from military action, disease and starvation. This is the time period that Eugene and Beatrice would have experienced as young adults Following this, a historian writes that Nigeria created a blanket of silence about Biafra.

Images from the Biafran war

Oppression in family context

Papa oppresses Mama, Jaja and Kambili by imposing his will in every aspect of their lives, e.g. overly cruel punishments when they fail to live up to his high expectations Regularly beats Mama Childrens schedules limit their freedom Discourages independence of thought or action

How did Eugene become an oppressor?

He is a colonial product became selfloathing (Igbo language, culture) His inferiority complex rejects traditional Igbo ways and his own father He was oppressed as a child. His experience of humiliation and punishment by priests as a boy began a cycle of guilt and cruel forms of penance

Readers response to oppression

We are forced to examine our reactions to oppression Scenes of abuse are compelling Eugene as a tyrant is fascinating We cant stop reading we are attracted/repelled at same time: We..condone Papas sadistic brutalisation of his family through the simple act of continuing to read. Like Kambili we are forced to juxtapose Papas evil side to his loving alter ego. (T.S. da Silva)

Message 1: Oppression will continue when people are silent

In the family, Kambili, Jaja and Mama tend to remain silent, not even acknowledging Papas violence a form of self-censorship. E.g. Im sorry your figurines broke, Mama. This is a classic behaviour of the victim-family in a domestic abuse situation. Eugene is proud of his childrens quiet obedience, but Ade Coker rightly asks, Imagine what the Standard would be if we were all quiet. P. 57

Message 2: Language is connected to freedom

The novel connects Freedom to Speak v. Silence of the oppressed. In contrast to K and J: Ifeomas children Obiora and Amaka show their relative freedom in their loud laughter throaty, cackling sounds pushed out with enthusiasm (78) The Standard is one of the few weapons left in a time of a military regime

Ade Coker

After Ade Coker returns after his arrest by soldiers he writes about the value of freedom: how his pen would not, could not, stop writing the truth. p. 42: Government agents had tried to bribe Papa with a truckful of dollars (200) but he asks them to leave the house. They also break off the hibiscus flowers.

How the Govt destroyed their Freedom of Speech

Soldiers destroy of the office of The Standard : The soldiers took every copy of the entire print run, smashed furniture and printers, locked the offices, took the keys and boarded up the doors and windows. P. 146 This destruction is reminiscent of Eugenes violence (smashing figurines) following Jaja exercising his freedom of speech. The govt also do not allow the university to elect their own sole administrator. This leads to protests. P. 223

The irony within Eugene

Eugene supports political freedom yet limits the freedom of his family so harshly Ade acknowledges his publisher Eugene, as a man of integrity, the bravest man I know. He agrees to publish on Nwankiti Ogechi rather than run the story on Big Oga.

One side of Eugene: the man of integrity

He cared about his staff and understood the importance of them publishing the truth so much he made The Standard publish from a secret location. Government agents: men in black who yanked hibiscuses off as they left had tried to bribe Papa with a truckful of dollars (200) but he asks them to leave the house.

Message 3: Breaking the cycle of violence

Hilary Mantel writes:

If a victim of child abuse is to break the cycle and avoid handing on the pattern of violence to the next generation, she needs a witness in her likesomeone who recognises what is happening and represents some assurance that there are other valueswho assures the victim that she is lovable and has potential for good.

HOW DOES SHE HELP TO FREE KAMBILI AND JAJA FROM THEIR FATHERS OPPRESSION? She destroys the childrens schedule They see her children are independent and live without fear She teaches them their grandfather is not a heathen but a traditionalist and allows them to get to know him She is a role model who speaks freely and tells the truth She represents a proud ancient forebear for Kambili as she Speak[s] to her Spirits].

Aunty Ifeoma the witness

Nsukka the place where the cycle is broken

Nsukka is associated with the purple hibiscus, the symbol of new growth and freedom. End of book: Kambili returns to Nsukka to visit the new family in Ifeomas flat and laughs loudly on the way back : Because Nsukka could free something deep inside your belly that would rise up to your throat and come out as a freedom song. As laughter. 299

Nsukka how do Kambili & Jaja transform while here?

At Nsukka Jaja and Kambili are empowered to break their silence and embrace defiance Jaja confides in Aunty Ifeoma about finger Jajas shoulders seemed broader within a week (p. 154) It allows them to reclaim their Igbo roots (learn Igbo traditions, know Papa Nnukwu)

Message 4: Breaking Silence with Defiance

Defiance is like marijuana it is not a bad thing when it is used right Ifeoma tells Jaja, p.14. [Defiance = refusal to obey authority] Jajas open defiance of Papa on Palm Sunday is the turning point of the novel (He refuses to take communion and says Father Benedict makes him feel nauseous) Kambili learns to defy Papa after Nsukka (Portrait of Papa Nnukwu) Mamas defiance is more stealthy. She poisons his tea.

Other characters who are defiant

Ade Coker speaks the truth. Father Amadi rejects the rigid Colonial style Catholicism and its materialism. He reclaims the Igbo language and does not judge non believers. Aunty Ifeoma is not afraid to defy university authorities. She also defies Eugene and insists on an Igbo burial for Papa Nnukwu.

Message 5: The risks of defiance The death of Nwankiti Ogechi

Nwankiti Ogechi is a pro-democracy activist who died a martyr in the attempt to bring greater freedom to Nigeria He is possibly based on activist Ken Saro-Wiwa In the family context, Jaja is his equivalent, as he sacrifices himself. Big Ogas regime kill Nwankiti Ogechi by shooting him and pouring acid on him. This parallels Eugenes punishment of pouring hot water on K and Js feet a carefully calculated form of cruelty. Not just emotion.

Risks of Defiance 2
DANGER. Democratic coalition come to warn Papa to be careful: Dont go to public places. Remember the bomb blast in the airport Lock your doors. p 201 FURTHER OPPRESSION After govt interferes and restricting freedoms of Uni staff. Ifeoma is defiant & students chant and sing Sole administrator must go university is closed down p. 228 INTIMIDATION: A special security unit turns up to search Ifeomas house to scare her p231

However, the novel shows us that defiance to oppression is necessary

Mamas actions seem justified after enduring years of abuse Jajas action of accepting punishment for murder of Papa shows his yearning to be free from the shadow of his father. Ade Coker is shown to be a hero Aunty Ifeoma and Amaka are symbols of hope / strength of Nigerian women.

Healing and hope

Jaja says to Kambili about Ade Cokers daughter She will never heal. She may have started talking now, but she will never heal. p.259 However, it is implied the future is more hopeful for Kambili: The new rains will come down soon.

Message 6: Love can grow in Freedom

Love thrives where freedom blossoms. (Anthony.C Ola) Kambili and Jaja never experience real love until Aunty Ifeomas home Jaja falls in love with the purple hibiscus and the stability of the family Kambili falls in love with Father Amadi They learn to love their cousins and grandfather

What to do next?
Dilemma of what to do during a time of oppression Obiora favours leaving, moving to America; but Amaka says that running away is not the answer p.232 Chiaku says: (in response to Ifeomas plan to go to USA) - The educated ones leave, the ones with the potential to right the wrongs. They leave the weak behind. The tyrants continue to reign because the weak cannot resist. Who will break that cycle? p. 245

References
Da Silva T. S., Family Life in Shades of Purple. Mabura, Lily. Breaking Gods an African Postcolonial Gothic reading of Purple Hibiscus. Mantel, Hilary. Purple Hibiscus review. Whitechurch, E. Purple Hibiscus review.

ESSAY QUESTION

Consider how you would answer: Analyse how a text you have studied strengthened or changed your opinion of a topic or issue.