A Recurring Theme Of Abuse In Purple Hibiscus

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Abuse was a big recurring theme in Purple Hibiscus. The book starts off with Papa throwing a bible at Jaja out of anger breaking one of Mamas figurines. This event was caused by Jaja being defiant with Papa. In the beginning abuse was very reserved or reticent. No one in the family acknowledged Papas abuse towards the family. It was completely normalized. Mama would come out of their bedroom with black eyes and be covered in blood, hanging over Papa's shoulder. Jaja and Kambili would not speak any words but instead clean up the blood with no questions. Abuse was their life, it was their “normal” it was all the family knew of. “God works in mysterious ways” was the family's way of giving comfort to each other. Papa truly thought that he was