Purple Hibiscus Kambili Abuse

In Purple Hibiscus by Chimanda Ngozi Adichie, cruelty is a big factor in the novel. Eugene, the father, commits many terrible acts towards his family, causing tension to rise. These acts continue, evoking family members to resent him, including his own son, Jaja, demonstrating that cruelty raises fear in others causing rebellion to elevate. Eugene committed lots of pointless brutal doings in the novel. Jaja and Kambili are looking at the painting of Papa-Nnukwu as Papa walks in. Outraged he grabs the painting and tears it up, while Kambili lays on the floor attempting to piece it together. “Get up!” Papa said again. I still did not move. He started to kick me” (20). The abuse, caused by a painting, leads to Kambili having many injuries including internal bleeding. “Mama told me that evening that I would be discharged in two days. But I would not be home, I would be going to Nsukka for a week, and Jaja would go with me” (216). After the harsh beating of Papa, the thought and sight of him scared Kambili. The beating did not only injure Kambili but also made her realize that her father can be a monster. She then makes her own decision to stay away from her father.

“You know that small table where we keep the family Bible, nne? Your father broke it on my belly” (248). From the figurines to her belly, a child unable to see the world, Mama became sick of the actions of Papa as well. Throughout the novel Mom has been positive, that did not stop Papa from treating her horribly. Forcing her to walk and move while she felt nauseous, commanding her as he pleases, she finally strikes back. “I started putting the poison in his tea before I came to Nsukka” (290). A desperate act, the outcome of those horrible actions, a representation of