Literature analysis by group 4 on chapter six of

“Purple Hibiscus"
By Neel, Bryan, Ray, Gail, and Zainab
Chapter six: Pg 82 - 108
Summary of plot:
The sixth chapter from “Purple Hibiscus” describes a family in Nigeria and its
tensions. The narrator, Kambili and her older brother, Jaja visit Aunty Ifeoma and
her family in Nsukka. As they drive, Kambili reflects on the surroundings, noticing
weathered cars on the roadside and thinking about the people who were involved in
the accident. Along the journey, they encounter a police checkpoint where the driver,
Kevin, bribes the officer with money, a practice the narrator's father disapproves of.

Upon arriving at the university, Kambili and Jaja experience a lively and crowded
market. As they manage to pass the bumpy road and reach aunt Ifeoma's home, it is
described that her house contrasts with their wealthy upbringing, featuring a modest
building and a vibrant garden. The family warmly welcomes Kambili and Jaja, and
Aunt Ifeoma is particularly excited about the gifts they bring, even though they were
intended as a gesture of greeting. Kambili describes the differences in lifestyle
between Aunty Ifeoma’s family and her family, emphasizing how open and lively they
are to each other.

In the first day of Kambili’s arrival, she is treated as a guest and has to share room
with Amaka, the daughter of Aunty Ifeoma. Aunty Ifeoma finds out that Eugene
(Papa) created a schedule for Kambili to follow, she snatched and tore it into pieces,
emphasizing that you are now on holidays. The family engages in the rosary, during
which Amaka breaks into song, revealing a contrast in religious practices. Aunt
Ifeoma takes the children on a tour of the university campus, highlighting its
deterioration and a past student riot over essential services – like water and
electricity.

Aunty Ifeoma introduces her niece, Kambili, to Father Amadi, a popular priest on
campus. During Father Amadi's visit, he engages in conversation with Aunty
Ifeoma's family, including Kambili and her brother Jaja. The priest demonstrates a
friendly and familiar attitude, discussing various topics such as sports and the
Catholic church. Throughout the discussion, Father Amadi discovers that Kambili

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and Jaja where the children of Eugene (Papa) and reveals that he was that young
priest who came to St. Agnes. Aunty Ifeoma’s conversation with the priest continues
and touches on the concept of religious faith, particularly the idea of apparitions,
with Aunty Ifeoma expressing her intention to visit Aokpe. The family goes for dinner
and finally gather for prayer, where Father Amadi leads a decade of the rosary and
sings an Igbo praise song. Kambili, however, struggles with self-consciousness,
feeling the weight of Father Amadi's stare and singing.

Characters:
• Kevin: Kevin is introduced in this chapter as a silent and obedient figure who
follows Papa's instructions without question. He symbolizes the control that
Papa exerts over his family and their daily lives. Throughout the chapter he
was responsible for dropping Kambili and Jaja to Aunt Ifeoma’s house in
Nsukka. Kevins significant role was when he bribed the policemen at the
checkpoint. This incident likely serves as an example of societal issues,
providing a hint that corruption is common in their story.
• Father Amadi: Aunty Ifeoma's friend and spiritual advisor, Father Amadi is a
priest with traditional Igbo and Christian values. He is very open and lively in
the novel. His presence in Aunt Ifeoma’s house provides a sense of peace and
harmony. The main moment involving Father Amadi in the chapter is when
Father Amadi learns that Aunty Ifeoma's brother is Eugene Achike.
• Obiora: Aunty Ifeoma's son, Obiora is a logical, gentle, and sensitive young
man. He is presented as open and bold in the story. Throughout the chapter,
he is quiet and isn’t involved in any conflict. He is happy to see Kambili and
Jaja come to their home.
• Amaka: Aunty Ifeoma's oldest daughter, Amaka, is a spirited and bold young
woman who questions Kambili's protected upbringing. She is very outspoken
and seems to be jealous of Kambili’s wealthy upbringing. Tensions in the story
involving Amaka rise when Kambili and Amaka go to the same room.
• Kambili: She is the protagonist of the story and the narrator. Kambili is a
young Nigerian girl who comes from a wealthy and strict Catholic family.
Throughout the book, she undergoes personal growth and questioning of her
family's values.

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 • Aunty Ifeoma: Aunty Ifeoma is Kambili's aunt and sister to their father,
Eugene. She represents a contrast to the strict and authoritarian parenting
style of Eugene. In Chapter 6, Aunty Ifeoma's welcoming, and less formal
household stands in stark contrast to the oppressive atmosphere in Kambili's
home. Aunty Ifeoma's character plays a crucial role in exposing Kambili to
alternative ways of living and thinking.
• Jaja: Jaja is the brother of Kambili, in this chapter he isn’t quite as he used to
be under his oppressive father. This time he was outspoken and bold, sharing
interests with Aunt Ifeoma. In this chapter, Jaja was mostly relaxed and not
involved in conflicts.

Language:
- Imagery: Kambili employs vivid imagery to describe Father Amadi, using
phrases like "whiff of an earthy cologne". This not only appeals to the reader's
senses but also conveys an immediate and tangible impression of the
character.
- Adichie uses vivid imagery to create a sensory detail for the reader. For
example, the description of "blackened hulks of cars" and "covered with
reddish rust" paints a picture of abandoned and deteriorating vehicles on the
roadside.
- Irony: There's an element of irony when Jaja and Kambili are handed
schedules by their father, emphasizing a rigid routine, while Aunt Ifeoma
dismisses it with laughter. This creates a contrast between the strictness of
their home and the more relaxed atmosphere at Aunt Ifeoma's.
- There's a touch of irony in Aunty Ifeoma's statement about being "miserly
with the new gas cylinders" while still using the kerosene stove. This irony
reflects the economics issue of the family.
- Symbolism: The rosary and the act of singing during prayer symbolize the
characters' religious practices. Amaka's singing at unexpected moments adds
a layer of complexity to the conventional religious setting, reflecting the
family's individual expressions within a structured ritual.
- The narrator's discomfort and tight chest when Kevin leaves could foreshadow
feelings of unease or disconnection in the new environment.

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 - Metaphors: The author employs metaphors to convey complex ideas and
emotions. For example: “Eugene's authority was an iron fist within the velvet
glove of familial piety”. It means that even though Eugene seems to be a good
family person, he controls things very strictly, like a hidden strong hand inside
a soft glove.
- Simile: The author employs similes in the novel to get clear descriptions. E.g
in the text “Father Amadi's voice was as smooth as melted chocolate”. She
compares Father Amadi’s voice to chocolate emphasizing that his voice is
smooth and soft.

Setting:

The chapter takes place in modern day Nigeria. The setting is a journey from Enugu
to Nsukka, revealing the abandoned cars, bustling markets, and the University of
Nigeria. Kambili reaches Aunty Ifeoma’s house, which is an old flat, where water is
only available in the mornings, the flush doesn’t work, the walls are stained, and the
tables and chairs are worn. This implies that Aunty Ifeoma is financially hurt and not
able to afford maintenance. It is also mentioned that the roads had ups and downs,
showing how bumpy and rough the roads in Nsukka were, emphasizing how
underdeveloped Nsukka is as compared to Enugu.

Themes:

These are the themes of the chapter:

• Freedom: Kambili and Jaja move to a more open-minded and free space, away
from their abusive and oppressive father back in Enugu. Here, Kambili can do
whatever she wants, free from her father’s rules. This becomes evident when
Aunty Ifeoma takes away the timetable that their father had imposed on
Kambili and Jaja.
• Religion and Belief: The characters' lives are greatly influenced by religion,
particularly because of their Catholic beliefs. The chapter shows the contrast
between Papa’s rigid and intolerant Catholicism and Aunty Ifeoma’s more
flexible and open-minded faith, this is seen when Kambili mentions that she
isn’t supposed or rather allowed to sing traditional Igbo praise songs as Papa
is strictly against that. Additionally, the introduction of Father Amadi, a friend
of Aunt Ifeoma further sheds light on the theme of religion and beliefs.

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 • Unity and Family dynamics: The chapter explores the different dynamics of
family life, especially the effects of love and laughter. Aunty Ifeoma’s family is
full of warmth, humor, and affection, despite their poverty and hardships. Her
children are lively, outspoken, and independent, unlike Kambili and Jaja, who
are quiet, obedient, and repressed. This is evident when the family works
together, where one is peeling yam and the other is cooking.
• Social Inequality: The disparities between the rich and poor are portrayed
through descriptions of the family's affluent lifestyle in Enugu compared to
the more modest living conditions in Nsukka. This is evident when the
narrator describes that Aunt Ifeoma’s house is poorly managed and
maintained; narrow passages, stained walls and basic shortages as compared
to her luxury house in Enugu.

Plot:

• Introduction: Kambili and Jaja arrive in Nsukka and meet Aunt Ifeoma and
their cousins Amaka, Obiora, and Chima. They are surprised by the contrast
between their aunt’s small and lively flat and their own luxurious and silent
house. They also meet Father Amadi, a young and charismatic priest who is
friends with Aunty Ifeoma.
• Rising action: Kambili and Jaja get to know their cousins and their aunt
better. They learn about the hardships of living in Nsukka, where there is
scarcity of fuel, water, electricity, and food. They also witness the contrast
between their aunt’s liberal and outspoken views and their father’s strict and
conservative ones. Also, tensions between Amaka and Kambili starts to arise
due to Kambili’s wealthy upbringing.
• Climax: The climax of the chapter could revolve around the arrival of Father
Amadi, as he engages with the family and shares his perspectives. It might be
a moment where the contrasting values of the two households are highlighted,
potentially leading to a significant realization or revelation for the characters.
• Falling action: This is when the dinner gathering at Aunty Ifeoma's house,
where Father Amadi engages in conversation with Kambili and Jaja. Father
Amadi learns about Kambili and Jaja's background, including their father
Eugene Achike, who is a prominent figure in the story. Additionally, Kambili
Achike struggles to express herself to the young priest, Father Amadi.

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 • Resolution: There is no resolution, but the text concludes by the family having
dinner with Father Amadi and ends when Kambili goes to sleep after prayer. It
is important to note that immediately after the prayer, the Father Amadi
started singing traditional Igbo songs which Papa was against off.

Tone and mood:

The tone from "Purple Hibiscus" chapter 6 by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie can be
described as a mix of seriousness, observational, and at times light-hearted. Th use of
words like "groaned," "chuckled," and "yelped" in describing characters' reactions to
situations adds a touch of lightness and humor. For example, when Kevin groans at
the police checkpoint, it introduces a light-hearted element to the narrative. On the
other hand, words like "bribe," "authoritarian," and "abusive" carry a more serious
undertone, emphasizing the weight of the family dynamics and the societal issues
portrayed.

The mood in the provided text from "Purple Hibiscus" is a mix of tension, curiosity,
and seriousness. The mood becomes more relaxed and positive when Father Amadi
arrives, introducing an atmosphere of friendliness and social interaction. The readers
also feel angry or heated up when Kambili gets scolded by Amaka!

Personal impressions:
Chapter 6 of Purple Hibiscus marks a significant turning point in the novel, as
Kambili and Jaja embark on their journey to Aunty Ifeoma's house in Nsukka. This
departure from their oppressive home in Enugu symbolizes a glimmer of hope and
the possibility of a life beyond their father's rigid control. Kambili's initial discomfort
with Aunty Ifeoma's unconventional lifestyle and her outspoken nature hints at the
challenges that lie ahead as she begins to question the authority figures in her life
and explore her own identity. The chapter sets the stage for Kambili's gradual
awakening and her journey towards self-discovery. From this chapter of the novel, I
learned that we should be patient and strong, facing problems instead of running
away from them.

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THE END