Therefore, when Obiiora breaks the social norm as he rudely interrupts Aunty Ifeoma’s discussion with her friend Chiaku, she did not only caution the boy immediately but reprimands him with a slap and also warms him against such unruly act: “I do not raise disrespectful children in this house. I will not tolerate this rubbish from you …” (245). On hearing the slaps, Amaka says to Kambili: “I always got the stick on my palm … and Obiora got his on his buttocks … I prefer the stick to her slaps, though because her hand is made of metal …” (245). As a mother Aunty Ifeoma has no sacred cow when it comes to discipline, in addition, she explains to the child why she has to flog him or her and what she expects so that the child will not fall a
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She instructs Amaka and Kambili on domestic chores; such as neat home-keeping and the cooking of different kinds of delicacies, and involves the both genders in the cleanliness of the home. In spite of Amaka sarcastic comments on Kambili for the latter’s inability to function in any of household chores, Aunty Ifeoma lovingly integrates Kambili into performing these functions since she is socialized outside such domestic duties in her home. She instills courage and boldness into Kambili as she persuades her to talk back to Amaka whenever Amaka says nasty things to her. Kambili for once hears herself: “I don’t know how to prepare the orah leaves, but you can show me” (134), Akachi Ezeigbo maintains in Snail Sense Feminism that the woman must balance between “the Western Individuality and African Communalism” (22). Kambili is very willing to liberate and discover herself and asset her individuality to learn and be part of the family. She talks back to Amaka, and from thence Amaka learns to respect her (170), and begins to relate with her more cordially. Jaja on the other hand, apart from taking turns in dish-washing joins Obiora in washing the car, fetching water from an outside tap and also in tending flowers in the garden. Whereas, Papa Eugene, even Mama shield their children from all household activities except making them robots to Papa’s …show more content…
When Amaka comments that “something is not right with them,” - referring to Jaja and Kambili - she wonders aloud “Are you sure they’re not abnormal, mom?” (141), again she insists “she behaves funny. Even Jaja is strange. Something is not right with them” (142); her mother reproofs her to treat her cousins with respect” (142). Kambili and Jaja are so beat-up with very low self-esteem, that they are idiotic in their presentations. In the presence of Amaka’s friends Kambili cannot integrate in any meaningful conversations or react properly to simple questions, her “lips held stubbornly together” (141), because of the many years of melancholic stillness at home. Kambili seems incapable of holding a conversation; she stutters and grips hard at some fresh croton leaves pulling them off as some five year old children ask her questions about her school in Enugu
She instructs Amaka and Kambili on domestic chores; such as neat home-keeping and the cooking of different kinds of delicacies, and involves the both genders in the cleanliness of the home. In spite of Amaka sarcastic comments on Kambili for the latter’s inability to function in any of household chores, Aunty Ifeoma lovingly integrates Kambili into performing these functions since she is socialized outside such domestic duties in her home. She instills courage and boldness into Kambili as she persuades her to talk back to Amaka whenever Amaka says nasty things to her. Kambili for once hears herself: “I don’t know how to prepare the orah leaves, but you can show me” (134), Akachi Ezeigbo maintains in Snail Sense Feminism that the woman must balance between “the Western Individuality and African Communalism” (22). Kambili is very willing to liberate and discover herself and asset her individuality to learn and be part of the family. She talks back to Amaka, and from thence Amaka learns to respect her (170), and begins to relate with her more cordially. Jaja on the other hand, apart from taking turns in dish-washing joins Obiora in washing the car, fetching water from an outside tap and also in tending flowers in the garden. Whereas, Papa Eugene, even Mama shield their children from all household activities except making them robots to Papa’s …show more content…
When Amaka comments that “something is not right with them,” - referring to Jaja and Kambili - she wonders aloud “Are you sure they’re not abnormal, mom?” (141), again she insists “she behaves funny. Even Jaja is strange. Something is not right with them” (142); her mother reproofs her to treat her cousins with respect” (142). Kambili and Jaja are so beat-up with very low self-esteem, that they are idiotic in their presentations. In the presence of Amaka’s friends Kambili cannot integrate in any meaningful conversations or react properly to simple questions, her “lips held stubbornly together” (141), because of the many years of melancholic stillness at home. Kambili seems incapable of holding a conversation; she stutters and grips hard at some fresh croton leaves pulling them off as some five year old children ask her questions about her school in Enugu