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Purple Hibiscus: Domestic Violence, Oppression and Freedom

Introduction

Nigeria is a country with history filled with political instability and economic disorder. The novel Purple Hibiscus, by Chimamanda Adichie, is set in post-colonial Nigeria. The novel revolves around the story of a wealthy family with the main character Kambili Achike, who is a teenager (15 years old) for much part of the novel. Her father, Eugene is presented as a dominant person who is religious minded and subjects her wife, Beatrice and children (including Achike) to psychological and physical violence. The whole story is told by Achike about the struggles of her family and her struggle to adulthood. The family is living in their father's sister (Ifeoma) house. Here, they find a totally different environment which is open towards self expression. During the story, Achike falls in love with a young Priest, Father Amadi, which raises sexual awareness in Achike. After the story reaches a critical point when family members are unable to cope with their father's violence, Beatrice throws him in prison. However, Jaga assumes the responsibility of crime and is sentenced to prison. Now, Kambili Achike is eighteen years old and shows much confidence in herself and Jaga is also about to be released from prison. However, their mother, Beatrice, has fallen to illness due to psychological effects on her mind. At the end of the story, it is portrayed that the family has the opportunity for a better future, but, does the emotional effects of past family violence has a limit the true potential of young Jaga and Achike and How does silence and violence limits freedom?

Domestic Violence, Oppression and Freedom

Adichie has masterfully explored the theme of domestic violence and its effect on one's life. The story revolves around a family with two young kids. These children are brought up in an environment, where their mother saw their mother beaten up, and their voices were pressed which had a negative effects on their overall personality. As Achike has lived most of her life away from her home in Ifeoma's house, she becomes more comfortable with communicative environment, while, it is Jaga who suffers mostly, apart from her mother, due to a prison sentence. The violence and oppression is a result of imposition of will on the lives of a family member. When Jaga and Kambili were unable to fulfill expectation, they were subject to severe punishment. Children have to follow schedules which restrict their freedom. Freedom of choice and speech is discouraged. Jaga becomes a product of colonial time. He does not accept Igbo norms and has an inferiority complex. He was punished by priests when he was a child, which instills in him a negative form of penance.

When families face domestic violence, the occupants learn to remain silent, and silence is viewed as obedience. On the other hand, Ifeoma's family is cheering and laughing, where everyone speaks without any concerns. Standards of integrity are set such that it is also used as a weapon to keep other silent. ...