The Mamas & the Papas

expanded upon as the novel progresses. The blissful ignorance regarding a serious situation is shown through Mama and her docile nature. The manipulated young mind is shown through Jaja, who wishes to please his father in order to avoid further abuse, and to gain love and affection from his parent. Eventually, these two characters managed to break free of their shackles that were instilled by Papa, however, a wake up call was required in order for this resolution to occur. In Adichie’s novel Purple Hibiscus

me to his own successes in life? To get a away from this a little, I went straight to my room after school. I heard Papa’s footsteps go to Jaja’s room and knew he was home. Since Jaja came in first in class, I can only imagine Papa being so happy and hugging him. Then Papa came to my room where I gave him my report card. Unlike with Jaja, he just stood there silently and asked for the person who came in first. Papa’s love and affection equates to his expectations for us. Even though he expects nothing

Mama, Erich and I cut some branches off a large pine tree so we could arrange them in a pot of water. That was our Christmas tree. We had no ornaments or home baked goods to decorate the tree as we had in Jena before the war or when we visited Grandpa's farm. But Mama knitted socks for us and she placed them under the tree. I had a doll made from potatoes, which had no legs, but Mama knitted tiny socks for my doll anyway. This made us all

a test. He follows TJ to the Wallace's store, where he has been forbidden to go, and punches him. Mr. Morrison catches him and brings him home. Stacey confesses to Mama, who punishes the four children for going to the store by taking them to see Mr. Berry, who is burned so badly that he is not recognizable and can no longer speak. Mama begins to arrange a boycott of the Wallace and Barnett stores. Big Ma takes Stacey, Cassie, and TJ to the market in Strawberry. While Big Ma talks to Mr. Jamison,

scared those beautiful birds away. I miss the coloured birds singing to me in the morning. I hear Mama call me and I waddle downstairs, almost dropping Lachak on the way down. I hear Mama sigh as the radio crackles to life. I am worried. I am worried that the Taliban will speak my Mamas name like they had my Papas. A thick coat of darkness covers that memory, that dark, terrifying memory I have of my Papa when I was told he had died from the Taliban’s wrath. I didn’t know how my story would continue

that? I don’t want it happening again.” JJ nodded quickly, he really didn’t want to upset papa today. He was still limping from the last time, the needles in his skin, the knife in his leg, the injections of joker venom. JJ shivered at the thought. “Three weeks, five days,” JJ repeated, he didn’t know why he kept up with the time still. He gave up on batman, No, Bruce coming for him a long while ago. Papa rolled his eyes and glared at Harley. “I thought I told you to make him stop counting. It

Mama took special care in ironing my dress that day. It was the best dress I owned and it was usually reserved for special occasions. I had last worn it to Papa’s funeral. It had been two years since Papa died. I watched Mama as she worked, diligently straightening every crease on the red dress. I noticed that she had started to look older than she actually was but I wouldn’t mention it to her. She was already under enough stress. Uncle Joe was coming to visit. She had told us that his coming was

working on her first novel, Purple Hibiscus, which was released in October 2003. Adichie demonstrates bravery and growth in humanity. Kambili and her family’s lives are followed throughout Purple Hibiscus. Kambili and her family live through fear of Papa, they are silent and are afraid to stand up for themselves. Fear suppresses our individuality and confidence- thus; it controls humanity and hinders us from bravery and growth. Fear can have complete control, accustoming one to feel complacent with

voices to go along peacefully. They said life would be better for us soon, the Jews would work for the Reich, we were needed. My parents and I walked around our apartment in circles, collecting the things that we would take with us. My father told Mama, not so much, this is only a temporary condition. She took the silverware anyway, and sewed her jewels and Papa’s gold watch into the lining of her winter coat. We were shoved and prodded like cattle into a railway car, all of us, a hundred living

Page 1: My mama has been working on the renaissance clothes all week, and now we are in the car. Driving to the Renaissance Festival. My sister was wearing an auburn red dress with pretty patterns and frills all over her dress. My mama was wearing a royal green dress with necklaces and lace that covered her. Papa was wearing a simple lords siamese, trousers, vest, cloak, and hat. While I wore a royal blue dress matched with a beautiful necklace, and my hair done on intricate braids as ribbons were