Research Question
In what ways and to what effect have Harriet Ann Jacobs and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie been able to explore the idea of female identity “Incidents in the life of a Slave Girl” and “Purple Hibiscus?”
Abstract
This essay explores the research question; “In what ways and to what effect have Harriet Ann Jacobs and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie been able to explore the idea of female identity “Incidents in the life of a Slave Girl” and “Purple Hibiscus?” The essay focuses on the unconventional nature of the protagonists Kambili Achike and Sarah Forsyth, delving into the depth of their characters as a tool to reflect the idea of male superiority in their distinct communities. Along with the evaluation of characters, this essay delves …show more content…
At the beginning, Kambili reflects innocence and fear when she comes in contact with her father. After Eugene threw a fit in front of the family, Kambili is quick to apologize by saying “I meant to say I am sorry that Papa broke your figurines, but the words that came out were, ‘I’m sorry your figurines broke, Mama’.”1 As a victim of physical violence at the hands of her father, she is too frightened to speak the truth thus resulting in her miscommunication. Throughout the novel, Kambili also recounts the abuse she faces. When Kambili brings the painting of Papa Nnukwu – her uncle – into the house, Eugene looses his mind and cuts it to shreds. Kambili’s reaction to this destruction only enrages Eugene further and Kambili narrates, “He started to kick me. The metal buckles on his slippers stung like bites from giant mosquitoes."2 Through the utilization of simile, Adichie emphasizes on the immense pain that Kambili endures at the hands of her father. In further examples of violence towards Kambili we are able to see that her entire personality is destroyed and clouded by fear of her father. Her identity is misrepresented due to the shell that she is forced to live in, in order to please and adhere by her father’s rules. Although gradually she begins to break free of her boundaries after visiting her Aunt Ifeoma, Kambili is the primary representation of the shunned and oppressed females in her community.
The empowerment and development of the post colonial women takes on two opposing forms in Purple Hibiscus, exhibited by Beatrice, the traditional wife of Eugene and her sister in law Aunt Ifeoma, the educated and independent woman. Sodi Yusuf’s educational blog describes Aunt Ifeoma
In what ways and to what effect have Harriet Ann Jacobs and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie been able to explore the idea of female identity “Incidents in the life of a Slave Girl” and “Purple Hibiscus?”
Abstract
This essay explores the research question; “In what ways and to what effect have Harriet Ann Jacobs and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie been able to explore the idea of female identity “Incidents in the life of a Slave Girl” and “Purple Hibiscus?” The essay focuses on the unconventional nature of the protagonists Kambili Achike and Sarah Forsyth, delving into the depth of their characters as a tool to reflect the idea of male superiority in their distinct communities. Along with the evaluation of characters, this essay delves …show more content…
At the beginning, Kambili reflects innocence and fear when she comes in contact with her father. After Eugene threw a fit in front of the family, Kambili is quick to apologize by saying “I meant to say I am sorry that Papa broke your figurines, but the words that came out were, ‘I’m sorry your figurines broke, Mama’.”1 As a victim of physical violence at the hands of her father, she is too frightened to speak the truth thus resulting in her miscommunication. Throughout the novel, Kambili also recounts the abuse she faces. When Kambili brings the painting of Papa Nnukwu – her uncle – into the house, Eugene looses his mind and cuts it to shreds. Kambili’s reaction to this destruction only enrages Eugene further and Kambili narrates, “He started to kick me. The metal buckles on his slippers stung like bites from giant mosquitoes."2 Through the utilization of simile, Adichie emphasizes on the immense pain that Kambili endures at the hands of her father. In further examples of violence towards Kambili we are able to see that her entire personality is destroyed and clouded by fear of her father. Her identity is misrepresented due to the shell that she is forced to live in, in order to please and adhere by her father’s rules. Although gradually she begins to break free of her boundaries after visiting her Aunt Ifeoma, Kambili is the primary representation of the shunned and oppressed females in her community.
The empowerment and development of the post colonial women takes on two opposing forms in Purple Hibiscus, exhibited by Beatrice, the traditional wife of Eugene and her sister in law Aunt Ifeoma, the educated and independent woman. Sodi Yusuf’s educational blog describes Aunt Ifeoma