Purple Hibiscus

Winner of the Hearst-Wright Legacy Award in 2004 and the Commonwealth Writers Prize of 2005, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s 2003 novel Purple Hibiscus is set amidst the political turmoil of postcolonial Nigeria (the 1960s) prior to Nigeria's civil war. The novel is divided into four sections. Each section represents a specific moment in time and addresses a certain aspect of spirituality. Most of the story is told in flashback from the point-of-view of 15-year-old Kambili Achike. Religious beliefs clash, and politics, social upheaval, tradition, romantic love, truth, feminism, education, and nature all play prominent roles in the text.

Plot Summary

The novel begins with its climax, a violent domestic scene resulting from many months of frustration and change. The title of this first section, “Breaking Gods,” implies a shattered spirituality, reflected in Mama’s (Beatrice Achike’s) broken figurines, and the fury with which Papa (Eugene Achike) throws his missal, God’s word, at Jaja (Chukwuka Achike), the son who rejects his father’s God.

The explosive action followed by silence is not new, but Kambili (the narrator, Jaja's sister) and Jaja have experienced newer, freer worlds outside this one, so their perspective of his violent episodes has changed. Mama has endured great hardship at the hand of the uncompromisingly cruel Papa, and this will be Papa's last attempt to control his family in the name of his God. The reader will later learn that the postcolonial Nigerian government’s killing of his partner and silencing his newspaper; coupled with Auny Ifeoma's liberating effect on the children, Kambili's first period, and Jaja's growth beyond the world that Papa can provide for him; is the catalyst for this most harsh of beatings Papa will deliver and for which Mama will kill him.

The longest section in the book harkens back to before the Palm Sunday incident, when the family’s life is utterly controlled by Papa’s religious tenets. Although their lives may seem disciplined and mundane, the dark truth soon emerges as Papa physically abuses Mama and the children for breaking his enforced theological directives. This intolerance extends to Papa’s father, as well, and is never relinquished.

Kambili and Jaja’s visit to Aunty Ifeoma and her children in Nsukka is the turning point of the novel. They are exposed to a wide-open world that encourages them to laugh, speak for themselves, and discover their own identities in a unique coming-of-age experience. It is here they meet Father Amadi, a different kind of priest, who becomes special friends with Kambili and serves as a role model to all the children, as does Aunty Ifeoma. Aunty Ifeoma is key in showing strength through adversity, compassion, and a sense of joy. This section of the novel illustrates the importance of education, tradition, unconditional love, and acceptance.

Adichie emphasizes many natural elements in Nsukka: Ifeoma’s garden; Odim hill; weather features like clouds, rain, and the sun; and numerous plants, trees, and flowers. Jaja’s transplantation of the purple hibiscus from Ifeoma’s garden to his own proves he cherishes its uniqueness, beauty, and power.

A secondary plot highlighting external governmental upheaval parallels the main plot’s internal family conflicts. The unravelling of the Nigerian government prompts Papa to publish anti-military rhetoric in the Standard, leading to the death of his publisher and the destruction of factories. Nonetheless, he continues to shun his father, Papa-Nnukwu, who dies, and to brutally punish Mama and the children.

After Palm Sunday, life changes dramatically for Aunty Ifeoma and the children when Father Amadi is transferred to Germany and Aunty Ifeoma is fired from her job, precipitating a move to America. Kambili and Jaja spend time with them before their departure, picnicking on the top of Odim hill and making a pilgrimage to see the Blessed Virgin's apparition in Aokpe. Kambili tells Father she loves him, but they both know a serious relationship is impossible.

At the end of this section, Papa dies suddenly. The entire family is shocked; Kambili and Jaja immediately return home. Mama talks more than usual; Papa’s autopsy reveals poison in his body, and Mama admits to poisoning his tea. This greatly upsets Kambili because of her special bond with Papa and their “love sips”—Papa’s term for sharing tea with Kambili. In order to protect Mama, Jaja admits to the crime and is imprisoned.

Almost three years later, Kambili is a lighter, happier person who laughs freely. Jaja has hardened and grown cynical in prison. Mama is a shell of her former self, hollow and unresponsive, and although she has admitted to killing Papa, others do not believe her.

Kambili and Mama bring important news to Jaja in prison: he will soon be released as a result of a regime change, and Kambili and Mama’s bribery. While they wait to see him, Kambili thinks of the letters she’s received from Amaka and Obiora in America and from Father Amadi, a treasured friend, but no more a love interest.

Kambili has metamorphosed into a mature person, hopeful for the future and eager to experience the rest of her life. She, Jaja, and Mama will revisit Nsukka, go to America, and return home to plant trees and purple hibiscus in the soil of a changing homeland enveloped in “a different kind of silence, one that lets [Kambili] breathe” (305), and where “new rains will come down soon” (307). In a moment of catharsis, Mama smiles and leans toward her daughter as the cleansing rain washes away the old to make way for the new.