85 pages • 2 hours read
Chimamanda Ngozi AdichiePurple Hibiscus
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2003A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Pages 110-205Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Part 2: “SPEAKING WITH OUR SPIRITS Before Palm Sunday”
Pages 110-139 Summary
Aunty Ifeoma’s house is not outwardly impressive; it has low ceilings and cramped sleeping quarters, but is comfortable and has many books and a garden. It is Papa-Nnukwu’s birthday, so their cousins visit him.
When Aunty Ifeoma’s children return home, Kambili is reticent. Amaka remarks that she talks in whispers. Jaja and Kambili are exposed to a radically different lifestyle that encourages openness and awakens them to a plethora of new ideas, sensations, and discoveries.
Living conditions are crude compared to Kambili and Jaja’s privileged life in Enugu, but spirits are high, and “Aunty Ifeoma and her family prayed for, of all things, laughter” (127).
Jaja discovers a purple hibiscus in the garden and is overwhelmed by its beauty. This spurs his love for the garden, particularly this unique flower. Kambili’s senses are newly awakened when Father Amadi arrives on the scene. He is very popular in the community, especially with Aunty Ifeoma’s family, and treats the children as individuals, thus gaining their immense respect. Kambili realizes he is the priest who visited their home church. She remains silent even though she wants to speak.
Pages 140-161 Summary
Cooperation ensues in the household, and Aunty Ifeoma recognizes and cultivates each child’s gifts and needs. She notes that Jaja’s name is appropriate for him, as there was a Jaja of Opobo, who was known as “a defiant king […] and when the British came, he refused to let them control all the trade. He did not sell his soul” (144). Aunty Ifeoma says defiance is good if used properly.
Kambili notices how Jaja is growing physically and temperamentally. Jaja tells a story about how Papa broke his finger for missing two questions on his catechism test.
Papa calls to say they can stay in Nsukka longer because soldiers have raided the Standard and put Ade Coker in custody again. Jaja smiles widely at this news. Papa-Nnukwu is very ill, so he stays at Aunty Ifeoma’s home, where he shares a room with Kambili, which would be a sin in Papa’s eyes. Ifeoma prays for Papa-Nnukwu’s healing and care; Kambili is surprised, since Papa always prays for Papa-Nnukwu to be converted and saved from the “raging fires of hell” (150).
Papa-Nnukwu tells a folktale filled with animals and nature references ending with a lesson about greed. They all laugh together and chant Njemanze! Kambili does not chant, but wishes she had.
Pages 162-205 Summary
Amaka begins painting a portrait of Papa-Nnukwu. Kambili asks her how Our Lady can intercede on behalf of a heathen; Aunty Ifeoma is silent, then answers that Papa-Nnukwu is a traditionalist. Kambili watches him talk to gods, or ancestors, after which she smiles, something she never does after saying the Rosary at home.
Aunty Ifeoma implores Kambili to speak up when Amaka insults her. She does, finally finding her voice. Father Amadi and Kambili spend time together, during which they sing and laugh. He tells her she has good legs for running.
Papa-Nnukwu dies and all are upset. Papa arrives and suggests calling a priest, which makes Aunty Ifeoma furious since Papa-Nnukwu is not Catholic. Amaka gives Kambili her painting of Papa-Nnukwu. Kambili does not get a chance to say goodbye to Father Amadi. Kambili, Jaja, and Papa leave for home.
Mama has a swollen face and a bruised eye when they get home. Jaja asks for a key to his room, which Papa denies. Kambili admits she knew Papa-Nnukwu was coming to Nsukka but didn’t call Papa; as a punishment, Papa pours scalding water on her feet. Jaja tells Papa that he has brought stalks of purple hibiscus to transplant at their house.
Papa pays for Papa-Nnukwu’s funeral. Ade Coker visits, and they talk of publishing a controversial newspaper story. Tension remains high in the city, and the family is told to be careful. Kambili and Jaja are invited to Papa-Nnukwu’s funeral and Amaka’s confirmation on Easter Sunday in Nsukka. Kambili thinks of Father Amadi and how she sees and hears God in everything because of him.
Pages 110-205 Analysis
These pages are significant in that they open Kambili and Jaja’s eyes to a different outlook on life. Aunty Ifeoma’s existence is the antithesis of the one Kambili and Jaja have known. Hers is not one of luxury, privilege, and wealth. There is no four-story mansion, servants who perform household duties, or delicacies produced at factories she owns.
As a poorly-paid educator, she struggles financially to provide basic necessities: material goods are scarce, there is inconsistent electrical power, only simple food, and little space. Nonetheless, her children recognize the superficiality of these things, along with the inner wealth they possess. A few physical aspects are emphasized—books, a garden, radio, and TV—which symbolize the values of knowledge, cultivation, growth, and communication.
The joyful human spirit takes precedence over materialism here, resulting in lightheartedness and an abundance of laughter, for which Aunty Ifeoma prays, treating it as much of a necessity as food. Kambili and Jaja’s senses are awakened, as well as their minds. Jaja’s immediate connection to the glorious, rare purple hibiscus indicates his salvation through it, as does Kambili’s attraction to the irresistible Father Amadi.
This nurturing environment gives Kambili and Jaja the space and encouragement to grow as they learn essential skills as members of a larger “tribe” within their family circle, symbolizing the necessity for guidance and self-sufficiency while simultaneously assuming unique individual identities. They discover a deep love for Papa-Nnukwu, connecting to a heritage shared by Aunty Ifeoma and their cousins. Kambili finds her voice, signifying her own emergence into an independent womanhood.
Papa-Nnukwu’s influence is undeniable; although gravely ill, he transcends this world to immerse himself and the others in his spiritual domain. His folktale, full of animals and natural elements, contains many layers of meaning. It entertains and delights, and although reminiscent of bygone days, its warning against greed is universal.
The mood changes dramatically when Papa-Nnukwu’s death symbolically kills the old ways and brings readers back to the present disintegrating situation in Papa and Mama’s house. Kambili and Jaja return home spiritually transformed.
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