Purple Hibiscus

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

What meaning do the terms colonialism and postcolonialism have in the modern world? Considering the differences between the two terms, what appears to be key in sparking postcolonial conflicts? How did colonialism play a role in the Nigerian Civil War? Note other key facts you might know about this war, such as the demographics of the people involved and the reason why many countries were involved during the war.

Teaching Suggestion: Purple Hibiscus takes place shortly before the Nigerian Civil war. The protagonist in the novel, Kambili, is forced to navigate family differences due to colonial influence. Kambili’s father is a staunch Christian advocate while her grandfather is more traditional, creating family tensions. Postcolonial conflicts were key in creating division in Nigeria at the time in which the novel takes place. It may be beneficial to discuss the consequences of colonialism generally as well as in Nigeria, why postcolonial conflicts are triggered, and the differences between social groups in Nigeria to better inform students’ comprehension.

If students have little background knowledge of the Nigerian Civil War, the questions pertaining to this topic might be addressed after students complete pre-reading investigation using these or other sources.