Theme: The Loss of Innocence
While reading Purple Hibiscus, I've noticed an ongoing theme of innocence. Earlier in the novel when Kambii was sightseeing with her Aunt and Papa-Nukwuu, she is exposed to the culture that her father opposes. Kambii then has to regain her innocence by confessing her sins to Father Benedict, that she enjoyed the mmuno masquerade. There was also the appearance of the color red to expose Jaja and Kambii's innocence: the juice spilling, the period, and the reminder of the mother's blood after the miscarriage. To alleviate Kambii's period cramps, the mother tired to give her daughter medicine and food to go with it; however, this was against their churches fasting rule. Their father, recognizing this sin and loss of innocence, whipped his family. In his eyes, this whipping was his was of regaining the innocence lost when he perceived his family to rebel/break the rules.
Finally, when Kambii visits her Aunt Ikuefoma and cousins in Nsukka, there is this loss of innocence again. Kambii had an image of what she thought the ideal family life would be, a patriarchal system with daily schedules. However, when she at her relatives house, she discovered this is not the case. There was no "father structure" in the children's lives. Kambii accidentally saw her cousin naked, something sacreligious in her family. This trip overall represented a shift in Kambii's mindset of the world and the way things should be.
Monday, February 23, 2015
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Purple Hibiscus- Oops They Did It Again
Papa-Nnukwu and Eugene.
Eugene and Jaja.
Many would say that "things trickle down from the top" or "like father, like son." Well, in this case, I would tend to agree that both of these statements are true.
During the Christmas season, Kambii and Jaja are permitted only a few minutes to visit their grandfather, Papa-Nnukwu. Papa-Nnuku is a traditionalist, holding onto the belief of his ancestors. Eugene desperately wishes that his father would convert to Christianity, but Papa-Nnukwu refuses. This situation creates a barricade between Eugene and Papa-Nnukwu's relationship.
Similarily, we see a bit of tension between Eugene and Jaja. Under constant pressure, Jaja initially feels that he has to live up to his father's expectations. However, after multiple beatings, Jaja begins to realize that he must defend and protect his mother and sister.
There always seems to be connections between family relationships. Papa-Nnukwu and Eugene still are not welcome in one another's homes. I hope that Jaja and Eugene will be able to find peace with one another at the end of the novel.
Eugene and Jaja.
Many would say that "things trickle down from the top" or "like father, like son." Well, in this case, I would tend to agree that both of these statements are true.
During the Christmas season, Kambii and Jaja are permitted only a few minutes to visit their grandfather, Papa-Nnukwu. Papa-Nnuku is a traditionalist, holding onto the belief of his ancestors. Eugene desperately wishes that his father would convert to Christianity, but Papa-Nnukwu refuses. This situation creates a barricade between Eugene and Papa-Nnukwu's relationship.
Similarily, we see a bit of tension between Eugene and Jaja. Under constant pressure, Jaja initially feels that he has to live up to his father's expectations. However, after multiple beatings, Jaja begins to realize that he must defend and protect his mother and sister.
There always seems to be connections between family relationships. Papa-Nnukwu and Eugene still are not welcome in one another's homes. I hope that Jaja and Eugene will be able to find peace with one another at the end of the novel.
Purple Hibiscus- Things Fall Apart
Take Me To Church?
Similarly to many of my other fellow AP Literature students, I noticed a distinct difference is one theme between Things Fall Apart and Purple Hibiscus. In one novel, the protagonist is resistant to Christianity whereas in the other novel the protagonists are deeply devoted to Christianity. Okonkwo has the perspective of a clansman who is resisting converting to Christianity. He represents the refusal to the acceptance of his beliefs. On the other hand, Kambii embraces these beliefs. She is a devoted Catholic girl from a modern wealthy family.
Another interesting point to mention is the stark differences between the modernization between the two novels. The lifestyle is Purple Hibiscus is similar to the lives teenagers lead in American. They don't believe in a lot of the cultures found in Things Fall Apart, such as witch doctors, oracles, or specific gods. They have cell phones, cars, and attend school.
However, one comparison is the domestic violence and pressure some of the characters face. Okonkwo and Kambii's father both aggressively beat the women in their lives with little resistance.
Similarly to many of my other fellow AP Literature students, I noticed a distinct difference is one theme between Things Fall Apart and Purple Hibiscus. In one novel, the protagonist is resistant to Christianity whereas in the other novel the protagonists are deeply devoted to Christianity. Okonkwo has the perspective of a clansman who is resisting converting to Christianity. He represents the refusal to the acceptance of his beliefs. On the other hand, Kambii embraces these beliefs. She is a devoted Catholic girl from a modern wealthy family.
Another interesting point to mention is the stark differences between the modernization between the two novels. The lifestyle is Purple Hibiscus is similar to the lives teenagers lead in American. They don't believe in a lot of the cultures found in Things Fall Apart, such as witch doctors, oracles, or specific gods. They have cell phones, cars, and attend school.
However, one comparison is the domestic violence and pressure some of the characters face. Okonkwo and Kambii's father both aggressively beat the women in their lives with little resistance.
Monday, February 9, 2015
Things Fall Apart...and Finally, Off a Tree
The title Things Fall Apart alluded to the fact that the characters and cultures would dissolve by the end of the novel. It is apparent that Okonkwo does not take the transformation of his tribe lightly. This once warlike, powerful, and masculine society becomes, in Okonkwo's eyes, weak and feminine. Even at the end of the novel, he does not recognize that traits such as courage and bravery are not mutually exclusive to gender.
After his seven year exile, Okonkwo did not receive the warm welcome he expected; his tribes customs and morals were falling apart. Gone were the days that twins would be sentences to the Evil Forest and it was perfectly acceptable to whip wives and children. No longer would their many gods be permissible; there was but one all powerful God. It was evident that Okonkwo was disgraced by the "falling" of his African society to Western civilization.
Finally, when Okonkwo's killing of the messenger was not well-received and the tribe was not going to war against the whites take-over, this signaled that his life did not have a purpose. He could never gain the "highest title of the land." His own goals surpassed the importance of the tribes. Ultimately, he ended up like his father by falling from a tree and taking his own life.
After his seven year exile, Okonkwo did not receive the warm welcome he expected; his tribes customs and morals were falling apart. Gone were the days that twins would be sentences to the Evil Forest and it was perfectly acceptable to whip wives and children. No longer would their many gods be permissible; there was but one all powerful God. It was evident that Okonkwo was disgraced by the "falling" of his African society to Western civilization.
Finally, when Okonkwo's killing of the messenger was not well-received and the tribe was not going to war against the whites take-over, this signaled that his life did not have a purpose. He could never gain the "highest title of the land." His own goals surpassed the importance of the tribes. Ultimately, he ended up like his father by falling from a tree and taking his own life.
Monday, February 2, 2015
Things Fall Apart- The Focus Isn't Africa
While reading, I continue to notice the hints that Achebe has about how this novel is not about Africa as a whole, it is about one specific culture.
After Ikemefuna joins the village, he brings with him stories from his other tribe. Okonkwo approves of the movie violent and masculine stories, so Ikemefuna continues to share them.
However though out all of this, it is important to note that Ikemefuna represents a different culture within Africa. Achebe critizes Europeans for their narrow-minded thoughts; they view Africa as one continent with similar customs in every nation. Achebe hopes that Ikemefuna serves as a reminder of the incompetent Europeans views; Ikemefuna has many different stories, viewpoints, and customs to offer.
Africa is truly a multilayered continent filled with various opinions and ideas. It is not right to assume that all of the nations are the same, as everything from religion to education can differ between the regions.
After Ikemefuna joins the village, he brings with him stories from his other tribe. Okonkwo approves of the movie violent and masculine stories, so Ikemefuna continues to share them.
However though out all of this, it is important to note that Ikemefuna represents a different culture within Africa. Achebe critizes Europeans for their narrow-minded thoughts; they view Africa as one continent with similar customs in every nation. Achebe hopes that Ikemefuna serves as a reminder of the incompetent Europeans views; Ikemefuna has many different stories, viewpoints, and customs to offer.
Africa is truly a multilayered continent filled with various opinions and ideas. It is not right to assume that all of the nations are the same, as everything from religion to education can differ between the regions.
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