Melendez, Zeke. “Satanic Bible vs. Holy Bible.” Haikudeck.com. Haiku Deck, 12 December 2015. Web. 30 May 2016.
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The Bible's 10 Commandments
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Relation to Purple Hibiscus
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From the beginning of the book, we learn that Papa is very religious and has been raised, despite his family's traditional beliefs, as a child believing in the God of the white men. Now, as a fervent Catholic, Papa feels it is his duty to ensure the world follows in God's will and nothing else. The 10 Commandments, one of the most well-known lists of God's will, tends to outline what Papa is passionately against. For example, he holds in great discuss how his traditional father worships idols which is in clear violation of the second commandment.
This artifact of the Bible is placed near the beginning of the website because it contributes to an important symbol throughout the book starting from the very beginning. Papa sees the Bible as a source of influence and learning. He also sees it as the outline for life and God's will. However, Kambili, Jaja, and Mama see the bible with a slightly different eye. They also see it as Papa does in the beginning of the novel, but they also see it as a symbol and source of fear, knowing very well how it translates into Papa's abusive actions. As the plot progresses, Kambili, Jaja, and Mama grow more distant from the teachings of the bible as they begin to spend more time with their aunt, cousins, and grandfather, all of whom have more traditional beliefs. They become more open-minded to other religions and are thus willing to accept others despite their father's contrary beliefs. |