Purple Hibiscus Lesson Plan

Though a "different kind of silence" has descended upon the family in this chapter, Kambili says she has nightmares about the other kind of silence, the silence of when Papa was alive. Was killing Papa necessary for Kambili to survive and thrive?

Students will have various opinions. Perhaps the family could have run away, but it's clear that Papa physically abused Kambili and Mama in horrific ways, causing Mama multiple miscarriages and burning Kambili's feet. Papa's religiousity and blind authoritarianism represented some of the patriarchy, corruption, and violence that Aunty Ifeoma railed against in the Nigeria government. Papa's story is a sad one, but Kambili does...