“Purple Hibiscus, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.” Giulia Blog. Cartilegiuliei.wordpress.com, 19 February 2016. Web. 30 May 2016.
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Purple HibiscusThe purple hibiscus plays a huge role in the story for its symbolism, besides being the title of the book. As Kambili and Jaja begin to expand their horizon, and their aunt's house starts to feel more and more normal, Jaja becomes attached to these plants. He begins to feel as though he wants them everywhere, at home, at their aunt's house, due to their beauty. The plant also symbolizes freedom, as when Jaja took the blame and went to prison for Mama, Kambili told him they would plant purple hibiscuses again. Jaja is given freedom as the book ends, and the purple hibiscus plant provides a reason to want to leave the prison, as it seems to have changed him.
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Reader's Understanding |
The plant provides insight into the reader's understanding of the book through changes of events and hope. Kambili and Jaja were raised to seem as if they were hostile children, and these plants at Aunty Ifeoma's house help symbolize that they are freeing themselves from their father's norms. In other words, the plant helps the reader understand that Jaja is changing towards the middle of the book, at their aunt's house, and it helps the reader understand that it will not be long before Jaja is freed from prison.
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Why Here? |
The purple hibiscus plant is last of the nine artifacts of discussion, and the reason for the placing is that chronological order and importance play a key in the place. As Jaja and Kambili saw these plants later on in the book, and they even were brought up again at the end of the book while visiting Jaja, it seemed fit to place the artifact of importance towards the end of the artifacts.
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