The Role of Silence in Purple Hibiscus Silence is a prevalent aspect all throughout Chimamanda Adichie’s 2004 Novel, Purple Hibiscus. Silence is used as a way of avoiding truth, placing emphasis on Kambili’s powerlessness as well as a form of refuge. Through Kambili’s usage of silence, one is able to clearly see her progression from being a quiet and fearful girl to her blossoming into a spirited young lady. Similarly, silence is used as a way to skirt around the truth. It stands in the stead of truth. Nowhere is this more clearer than when Jaja asks Kambili about her meals despite being privy to this knowledge and when Kambili responds despite knowing that Jaja knows what she is about to say. She elucidates this situation when she states “ [we ask] each other …show more content…
Within the borders of her mind she cannot be judged, or questioned or shouted at. Silence is her fortress. One (fotress) which was frequently inhabited in order to make sense of the world around her as well as to assimilate the reality which she was experiencing. She retreated to it even during circumstances where she wanted to speak. This occurred during assembly when Kambili was asked to begin the pledge, “[she] cleared [her] throat, willed the words to come. [She] knew them, thought them. but they would not come”[p.48]. Habit had rendered her unable to speak her mind at command. It took a great deal of effort to enable herself to speak and express herself. She thus sought comfort and refuge in silence. Kambili’s silence can be used as way of gauging her self-esteem. Prior to her visit to Nsukka she was very quiet and kept to herself. However, towards the end of her visit she becomes more lively and happier. One is immediately able to see this marked change primarily though Kambilis silences, or rather, her lack thereof. This noteworthy change in her self-esteem only becomes prominent when she begins to retreat to silence less and