Western Culture In Purple Hibiscus

The power of the western World has penetrated cultures worldwide. This is evident in African literature, where authors and plots become influenced by Western culture.

I agree with this statement because during my reading of the two novels, Things fall apart by Chinua Achebe and Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Adichie, it is evident that Adichie was influenced more by western culture in the writing of the novel Purple Hibiscus, than what Achebe was in Things fall apart.

Many societies have beliefs that was enshrined through their religion. Some beliefs include polygamy, polytheism, and patriarchy, or rule by men. One such culture is that of Achebe 's Things Fall Apart. The men are overly domineering. The women and children are treated poorly

What makes Purple Hibiscus so interesting is the interwoven Western influence that can be seen in a traditional Nigerian setting. This is a story about Nigeria 's recovery from colonialism because Eugene was among the first generation to come into contact with the European missionaries. In order to go to school, children needed to convert to Christianity, so Eugene and many of his contemporaries did. He takes the teaching so seriously that he condemns all practice of his native religion, and becomes uptight and self-righteous. The Western influence on religion is much more evident in this novel, as people who converted to Christianity in Things fall apart were

Purple Hibiscus begins with reference to Chinua Achebe, "Things began to fall apart at home when my brother, Jaja, did not go to communion and Papa flung his heavy missal across the room and broke the figurines on the étagère." The novel tracks this family as the chilly, icebound order begins to break down, and something new replaces it. Visiting their aunt and her three children, Kambili and Jaja get a chance to see how a more ordinary, relaxed family functions. They come to know their "heathen" grandfather, whom Eugene will not see because he insists on practicing his traditional Igbo