Sources on Purple Hibiscus

8/18/2019 Sources on Purple Hibiscus

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Purple Hibiscus (novel)

Purple Hibiscus is the frst novel by Nigerian author Chimamanda

Ngozi Adichie. It was frst published by Algonquin oo!s in "##$.%&'

lot introduction

Purple Hibiscus is set in postcolonial Nigeria a country beset by

political instability and economic di*culties. +he central character is

,ambili Achi!e aged f-teen -or much o- the period covered by the boo! a

member o- a wealthy -amily dominated by her

devoutly Catholic -atherugene. ugene is both a religious zealot and a

violent fgure in the Achi!e household sub/ecting his wi-e eatrice

,ambili hersel- and her brother 0a/a to beatings and psychological cruelty.

%"' +he story is told through ,ambili1s eyes and is essentially about the

disintegration o- her -amily unit and her struggle to grow to maturity. A

!ey period is the time ,ambili and her brother spend at the house o- her

-ather1s sister I-eoma and her three children. +his household o2ers a

mar!ed contrast to what ,ambili and 0a/a are used to. +hough Catholic it

practices a completely di2erent -orm o- Catholicism ma!ing -or a happy

liberal place that encourages its members to spea! their minds. In this

nurturing environment both ,ambili and 0a/a become more open more

able to voice their own opinions. Importantly also while at Aunty

I-eoma1s ,ambili -alls in love with a young priest 3ather Amadi which

awa!ens her sense o- her own se4uality. 5ltimately a critical mass is

reached in terms o- the lives o- ,ambili 0a/a and the e4istence o- their

-amily as it once was. 5nable to cope with ugene1s continual violence

eatrice poisons him. 0a/a ta!es the blame -or the crime and ends up in

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigeriahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichiehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichiehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algonquin_Bookshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)#cite_note-adichie_bibliography-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postcolonialhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zealothttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)#cite_note-H-net-2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichiehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichiehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algonquin_Bookshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)#cite_note-adichie_bibliography-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postcolonialhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zealothttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)#cite_note-H-net-2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigeria


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prison. In the meantime Aunty I-eoma and her -amily go to America to

live a-ter she is un-airly dismissed -rom her /ob as lecturer at the

5niversity o- Nigeria. +he novel ends almost three years a-ter these

events on a cautiously optimistic note. ,ambili has become a young

woman o- eighteen more confdent than be-ore while her brother 0a/a is

about to be released -rom prison hardened but not bro!en by his

e4perience there. +heir mother eatrice having deteriorated

psychologically to a great degree shows small signs o- improvement. In

essence a better -uture is possible -or them all though e4actly what it

might involve is an open question.

Characters

Kambili

,ambili Achi!e is the central character in urple 6ibiscus and also

the narrator o- the story. 7he is an intelligent observant religious young

woman aged f-teen -or much o- the novel. At the same time ,ambili is

shy and inhibited at least until she has spent an e4tended amount o- time

away -rom her -amily home at the house o- Aunty I-eoma and her -amily.

,ambili is the younger o- ugene and eatrice Achi!e1s two children. 7he

does not li!e the living environment under her -ather a-ter she gets used

to the -reedom o- Nsu!!a. 7he was a very quiet girl at the beginning o- the

novel but a-ter staying with her Aunty I-eoma she builds up her courage

and opens up much more towards other people.

Chukwuka “Jaja” Achike

Chu!wu!a Achi!e nic!named 80a/a9 by his -amily is an intelligent

young man about two years his sister1s senior. 3or most o- the novel in


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the same way as the rest o- his -amily he is dominated by his -ather

although ultimately he displays more overt defance than them especially

by not going to communion on alm 7unday and causing a massive -amily

scene as a consequence. 6e ta!es the blame -or his mother1s crime and

spends almost three years in prison be-ore obtaining an amnesty. +hrough

this time his personality has hardened but not been bro!en.

Eugene (Papa)

ugene Achi!e is ,ambili1s -ather. 6e is a wealthy and ostentatious

businessman who is also a very strict Catholic who dominates his -amily

-or much o- the novel by imposing a harsh religious regime in the

-amily home. Indeed -or much o- the novel he controls almost every

aspect o- his -amily1s li-e including imposing a schedule upon the lives o-

,ambili and her brother 0a/a so that every minute o- the day is mapped

out -or them. :hile on the one hand ugene is an important man in his

society and donates considerable amounts o- money to needy individuals

and worthy causes he is prone to outbrea!s o- violence within the -amily

house sub/ecting his wi-e eatrice and the two children to severe physical

punishment. ugene has two di2erent mas!s to -ace public and private.

6e might be a !ind hero in the public however at home he is quite the

opposite.

Beatrice (Mama)

eatrice mother and wi-e in the Achi!e -amily is a quiet maternal

fgure -or much o- the wor! presenting a so-ter warmer presence in the

home in contrast to the o-ten tyrannical presence o- ugene. assive is

another term applicable to her at least -or a great deal o- the boo!.

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;uring the course o- the novel eatrice su2ers two miscarriages a-ter

severe beatings -rom ugene. 7he polishes the fgurines on the tag


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?biora is the second oldest o- I-eoma and I-ediora>s three children

at around age -ourteen. 6e wears glasses and is very good at maths. 6e

is reserved yet o-ten spea!s up when he -eels someone is wrong as is

seen when he contradicts Chia!u. ?biora is also portrayed as the lead

male fgure in his mother>s household.

Chima

Chima is the youngest o- I-eoma and I-ediora>s three children. Not

much is !nown about this character apart -rom the -act that he loo!s up

to ?biora.

$ather Ama%i

3ather Amadi is a young priest in the circle o- Aunty I-eoma and her

-amily. eing youth-ul indigenous and well@versed in contemporary li-e he

could be described as a 8new generation9 priest as opposed to white

uropean priests in the country such as ugene1s priest 3ather enedict.

:hen ,ambili -alls in love with 3ather Amadi he shows considerable

thought-ulness and honour in the sensitive way he ma!es it clear to her

that because he is devoted to the church he will never be able to

become her partner. 6e loves her yet he dare not start a relationship with

her because o- his pro-ession. 6e becomes socially and spiritually

attached with some o- the boys that he taught -ootball. 6e is shown to be

a little play-ul as he challenged ,ambili to a sprint this leads to him telling

her that she had good legs -or running. 6e also too! her to plait her hair

which led the hair dresser to tell ,ambili that no man ta!es a young lady

to plait her hair unless he li!es her.

Papa&'nukwu


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apa@Nnu!wu is both -ather and grand-ather in the Achi!e -amily

being ugene and I-eoma1s -ather. 6e is a !ind loving man rooted in the

traditional non@Christian belie-s o- his indigenous culture presenting a

mar!ed contrast in particular to his son ugene1s adherence to uropean

religion and li-estyle.

$ather Bene%ict

3ather enedict is 7t. Agnes> white priest. 6e has been in nugu -or

years. eing a strict colonial product enedict -eels strong resistance to

the Igbo language and pre-ers to lead his services in Batin and in nglish.

6e is a strong supporter o- apa>s charity wor!.

A%e C"ker

Ade Co!er is the lead editor o- apa>s newspaper +he 7tandard. 6e

is also the author o- rebellious wor!s which ultimately leads to his death.

6e spea!s out commonly against the current Nigerian government. 6e

was !illed by a pac!age bomb in his house.

Kein

,evin is apa ugene>s personal driver in nugu. ,evin was once

part o- the military.

#ther character

?ther minor characters in the boo! include Aunty Chioma ?bioma

Celestine Chidi-u and others

6onors

• 6urston@:right Begacy Award "## (est ;ebut 3iction Category)%$'

• Commonwealth :riters> rize "##DE est 3irst oo! (A-rica) %$'

• Commonwealth :riters> rize "##DE est 3irst oo! (overall)%$'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurston-Wright_Legacy_Awardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)#cite_note-Adichie_official_awards-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)#cite_note-Adichie_official_awards-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_Writers'_Prize#Best_First_Book_Winners_1987-2007http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_Writers'_Prize#Best_First_Book_Winners_1987-2007http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)#cite_note-Adichie_official_awards-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurston-Wright_Legacy_Awardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)#cite_note-Adichie_official_awards-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)#cite_note-Adichie_official_awards-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_Writers'_Prize#Best_First_Book_Winners_1987-2007http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)#cite_note-Adichie_official_awards-3


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• 7hortlisted -or the ?range rize -or 3iction "##%$'

• Bonglisted -or the oo!er rize "## %$'

•

Nominated -or the FAB7A ( Foung Adult Bibrary 7ervices Association)

est oo!s -or Foung Adults Award ("##)%$'

• 7hortlisted -or the 0ohn Blewellyn Ghys rize "##H"##D%$'

ibliography

• Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (& April "#&"). Purple Hibiscus: A

Novel. Algonquin oo!s. I7N J@&@K&K"#@""@".

Ge-erences

&. Jump up* L+he Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie :ebsite @

ibliographyL. +he Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie :ebsite. Getrieved "##J@

#$@&D.

". Jump up* ell@Mam Guby A. ("##). Lurple 6ibiscus

GeviewL. 6@A-r+each. Getrieved "##J@#$@&D.

$. 0ump up toEa b c d e f g L+he Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

:ebsite @ AwardsL. +he Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie :ebsite. Getrieved

"##J@#$@&D.

7ourceE httpEHHen.wi!ipedia.orgHwi!iHurpleO6ibiscusO(novel)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_Prize_for_Fictionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)#cite_note-Adichie_official_awards-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booker_Prizehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)#cite_note-Adichie_official_awards-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Adult_Library_Services_Associationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)#cite_note-Adichie_official_awards-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Llewellyn_Rhys_Prizehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)#cite_note-Adichie_official_awards-3http://books.google.com/books?id=da6qL_eOieAChttp://books.google.com/books?id=da6qL_eOieAChttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Standard_Book_Numberhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-61620-242-2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)#cite_ref-adichie_bibliography_1-0http://www.l3.ulg.ac.be/adichie/cnabiblio.htmlhttp://www.l3.ulg.ac.be/adichie/cnabiblio.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)#cite_ref-H-net_2-0http://www.h-net.org/reviews/showpdf.cgi?path=298191105719553http://www.h-net.org/reviews/showpdf.cgi?path=298191105719553http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)#cite_ref-Adichie_official_awards_3-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)#cite_ref-Adichie_official_awards_3-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)#cite_ref-Adichie_official_awards_3-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)#cite_ref-Adichie_official_awards_3-2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)#cite_ref-Adichie_official_awards_3-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)#cite_ref-Adichie_official_awards_3-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)#cite_ref-Adichie_official_awards_3-5http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)#cite_ref-Adichie_official_awards_3-6http://www.l3.ulg.ac.be/adichie/cnaawards.htmlhttp://www.l3.ulg.ac.be/adichie/cnaawards.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_Prize_for_Fictionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)#cite_note-Adichie_official_awards-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booker_Prizehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)#cite_note-Adichie_official_awards-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Adult_Library_Services_Associationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)#cite_note-Adichie_official_awards-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Llewellyn_Rhys_Prizehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)#cite_note-Adichie_official_awards-3http://books.google.com/books?id=da6qL_eOieAChttp://books.google.com/books?id=da6qL_eOieAChttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Standard_Book_Numberhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-61620-242-2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)#cite_ref-adichie_bibliography_1-0http://www.l3.ulg.ac.be/adichie/cnabiblio.htmlhttp://www.l3.ulg.ac.be/adichie/cnabiblio.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)#cite_ref-H-net_2-0http://www.h-net.org/reviews/showpdf.cgi?path=298191105719553http://www.h-net.org/reviews/showpdf.cgi?path=298191105719553http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)#cite_ref-Adichie_official_awards_3-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)#cite_ref-Adichie_official_awards_3-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)#cite_ref-Adichie_official_awards_3-2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)#cite_ref-Adichie_official_awards_3-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)#cite_ref-Adichie_official_awards_3-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)#cite_ref-Adichie_official_awards_3-5http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)#cite_ref-Adichie_official_awards_3-6http://www.l3.ulg.ac.be/adichie/cnaawards.htmlhttp://www.l3.ulg.ac.be/adichie/cnaawards.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscus_(novel)


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Purple Hibiscus opens on alm 7unday with ,ambili>s -ather

ugene throwing a prayer boo! across the living room aiming to hit her

brother 0a/a as punishment -or his re-usal to ta!e communion at mass

earlier that day. A strict Catholic and a wealthy and power-ul man ugene

is completely intolerant o- insubordination especially when it comes -rom

his immediate -amily members. Although he can be charming and

generous his temper is unpredictable and sometimes -rightening and

,ambili 0a/a and their mother invest a lot o- energy trying to abide by his

regulations in order to avoid angering him.

As the boo! un-olds however we witness the ways in which

,ambili 0a/a and their mother have begun to question ugene>s

dictatorial rule over the -amily. 0ust as ugene>s own newspaper re-uses to

support the military government currently in power in Nigeria so his own

-amily eventually comes to stand up against his tyranny.

+he boo! is primarily -ocused on ,ambili>s questioning o- her -ather

which begins in earnest during the course o- several e4tended visits to

ugene>s sister>s house. At Aunty I-eoma>s there are -ew rules. 5nli!e at

home where ugene creates a daily schedule -or 0a/a and ,ambili at

I-eoma>s the only requirement is that everyone helps coo! and clean.

Children spea! at the dinner table the -amily sings a-ter they pray and

everyone is permitted to share -ood and sleeping space with their non@

Catholic grand-ather (behaviors strictly -orbidden by ugene). Although

,ambili is initially -rightened by all the -reedom at I-eoma>s she


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eventually comes to appreciate it. 7he ma!es -riends with her politicized

3ela ,uti@listening cousinP she develops a (totally innocent and sweet)

crush on an A-rican priestP and she otherwise en/oys the privileges o-

being f-teen which her -ather>s rigidity so -requently deny her when she>s

at home.

ecause o- ugene>s public stance against the government as the

military coup continues the Achi!e house gets less and less sa-e and

ugene gets more and more abusive. ventually ,ambili 0a/a and their

mother all spend a chun! o- time at their Aunty>s house waiting -or things

to cool down at home. Away -rom ugene all three have the time and

space to question his authority more deeply and Purple

Hibiscus ultimately concludes with a series o- events that would have

seemed unimaginable earlier in the novel when the -amily>s only goal

seemed to be placating ugene.

5ltimately Purple Hibiscus is about a teenaged girl separating her

own values -rom those she has been taught and in the process creating a

personality -or hersel-. Adichie does an absolutely marvelous /ob o-

recreating those pieces o- adolescence. Indeed this boo! so success-ully

evo!ed -eelings o- teenaged sel-@consciousness and insecurity

7ourceE httpEHHwww.boo!slut.comHfctionH"##OO##$JD.php


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urple 6ibiscus oo! Geview 7ummary

Lurple 6ibiscusL is a comple4 tale o- ,ambili a young girl growing

up in Nigeria in between the old LpaganL ways and her Catholic

upbringing. 6er li-e is structured and ruled by her strict Catholic -ather

however a trip to visit her Auntie in another town shows her another way

o- living. ,ambili has trouble accepting this alternative li-estyle and -eels

torn between the two. :ith the help o- her brother auntie cousins and a

priest she begins to see other ways o- thin!ing and acting than her -ather

e4pects. +he boo! also highlights the in/ustices that have ta!en place in

Nigeria.

7ourceE httpEHHallreaders.comHboo!@review@summaryHpurple@hibiscus@

"K#D


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Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Chimaman%a 'g"+i A%ichie ( i HtQ R m ST m ST n d U U V W oX z i Y d iT tQ /eRHP

%note &' born &D 7eptember &) is a Nigerian writer.%"'7he has been called

Lthe most prominentL o- a Lprocession o- critically acclaimed young

anglophone authors %that' is succeeding in attracting a new generation o-

readers to A-rican literatureL.%$'

ersonal li-e and education

orn in the city o- nugu she grew up the f-th o- si4 children in

an Igbo -amily in the university town o- Nsu!!a insoutheastern Nigeria

where the 5niversity o- Nigeria is situated. :hile she was growing up her

-ather 0ames Nwoye Adichie was a pro-essor o- statistics at the university

and her mother Mrace I-eoma was the university>s frst -emale registrar.

%' 6er -amily>s ancestral village is in Abba in Anambra 7tate.%D'

Adichie studied medicine and pharmacy at the 5niversity o-

Nigeria -or a year and a hal-. ;uring this period she editedThe Compass, a

magazine run by the university>s Catholic medical students. At age &

Adichie le-t Nigeria -or the 5nited 7tates to study communications and

political science at ;re4el 5niversity in hiladelphiaP she trans-erred

toastern Connecticut 7tate 5niversity to be near her sister who had a

medical practice in Coventry. 7he received a bachelor>s degree -rom

astern with the distinction o- summa cum laude in "##&.

In "##$ she completed a master>s degree in creative

writing at 0ohns 6op!ins 5niversity. In "##J she received a Zaster o- Arts

degree in A-rican studies -rom Fale 5niversity.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie.ogghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie.ogghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_Englishhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Keyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Keyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Keyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Keyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Keyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_Englishhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_note-pron-2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigeriahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_note-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_literaturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_note-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enuguhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igbo_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nsukkahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igbolandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Nigeriahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_note-5http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anambra_Statehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_note-6http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Nigeriahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Nigeriahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drexel_Universityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Connecticut_State_Universityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coventry,_Connecticuthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin_honorshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johns_Hopkins_Writing_Seminarshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johns_Hopkins_Writing_Seminarshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johns_Hopkins_Universityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yale_Universityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie.ogghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_Englishhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Keyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Keyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Keyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Keyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Keyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Keyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Keyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Keyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Keyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Keyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Keyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Keyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Keyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Keyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Keyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Keyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Keyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Keyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Keyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Keyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English#Keyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_Englishhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_note-pron-2http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigeriahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_note-3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_literaturehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_note-4http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enuguhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igbo_peoplehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nsukkahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igbolandhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Nigeriahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_note-5http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anambra_Statehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_note-6http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Nigeriahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Nigeriahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drexel_Universityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Connecticut_State_Universityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coventry,_Connecticuthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin_honorshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johns_Hopkins_Writing_Seminarshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johns_Hopkins_Writing_Seminarshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johns_Hopkins_Universityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yale_University


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Adichie was a 6odder -ellow at rinceton 5niversity during the

"##D[#K academic year. In "##J she was awarded aZacArthur 3ellowship.

7he has also been awarded a "#&&[&" -ellowship by the Gadcli2e Institute

-or Advanced 7tudy6arvard 5niversity.

Adichie who is married divides her time between Nigeria where

she teaches writing wor!shops and the 5nited 7tates.%K'

:riting career

Adichie published a collection o- poems in & (Decisions) and a

play (For Love of Biafra) in &J. 7he was shortlisted in "##" -or the Caine

rize%' -or her short story LFou in AmericaL.%J'

In "##$ her story L+hat 6armattan ZorningL was selected as a /oint

winner o- the C 7hort 7tory Awards and she won the ?. 6enry prize -or

L+he American mbassyL. 7he also won the ;avid +. :ong International

7hort 7tory rize "##"H"##$ (N Center Award) and a "## eyond

Zargins Award -or her novel L6al- o- a Fellow 7unL.%'

6er frst novel Purple Hibiscus ("##$) received wide critical

acclaimP it was shortlisted -or the ?range rize -or 3iction ("##) and was

awarded the Commonwealth :riters> rize -or est 3irst oo! ("##D).

6er second novel Half of a Yello !un named a-ter the \ag o- the

short@lived nation o- ia-ra is set be-ore and during the Nigerian Civil :ar.

It received the "##?range rize -or 3iction and the Anisfeld@:ol- oo!

Award.%' Half of a Yello !un has been adapted into a flm o- the same

title directed by iyi andele starring A3+A winner and Academy

Award nominee Chiwetel /io-or and A3+A award@winner +handie Newton

and was released in "#&.%&&'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princeton_Universityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacArthur_Fellowshiphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radcliffe_Institute_for_Advanced_Studyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radcliffe_Institute_for_Advanced_Studyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard_Universityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_note-7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caine_Prizehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caine_Prizehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_note-8http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_note-9http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBChttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O._Henry_Awardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_note-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_Prize_for_Fictionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_Writers'_Prizehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half_of_a_Yellow_Sunhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biafrahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigerian_Civil_Warhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_Prize_for_Fictionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_note-11http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half_of_a_Yellow_Sun_(film)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half_of_a_Yellow_Sun_(film)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biyi_Bandelehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academy_Awardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academy_Awardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiwetel_Ejioforhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BAFTAhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thandie_Newtonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_note-12http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princeton_Universityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacArthur_Fellowshiphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radcliffe_Institute_for_Advanced_Studyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radcliffe_Institute_for_Advanced_Studyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard_Universityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_note-7http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caine_Prizehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caine_Prizehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_note-8http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_note-9http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBChttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O._Henry_Awardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_note-10http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_Prize_for_Fictionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_Writers'_Prizehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half_of_a_Yellow_Sunhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biafrahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigerian_Civil_Warhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_Prize_for_Fictionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_note-11http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half_of_a_Yellow_Sun_(film)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half_of_a_Yellow_Sun_(film)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biyi_Bandelehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academy_Awardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academy_Awardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiwetel_Ejioforhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BAFTAhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thandie_Newtonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_note-12


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6er third boo! The Thin" Around Your Nec# ("##) is a collection o-

short stories.

In "# she was listed among the authors o- The Ne Yor#er ]s L"#

5nder #L 3iction Issue.%&"' Adichie>s story LCeilingL was included in the

"#&& edition o- The Bes$ American !hor$ !$ories.

6er third novel Americanah ("#&$) was published and was selected

by the Ne Yor# Times as one o- +he est oo!s o- "#&$.%&$'

In April "#& she was named as one o- $ writers aged under

#%&' in the 6ay 3estival and Gainbow oo! Club pro/ect celebrating ort

6arcourt 5N7C? :orld oo! Capital "#&.%&D'

Adichie says on -eminism and writing LI thin! o- mysel- as a

storyteller but I would not mind at all i- someone were to thin! o- me as a

-eminist writer... I>m very -eminist in the way I loo! at the world and that

worldview must somehow be part o- my wor!.L%&K'

Bectures

Adichie spo!e on L+he ;anger o- a 7ingle 7toryL -or +; in "##.

%&' ?n &D Zarch "#&" she delivered the LConnecting

CulturesL Commonwealth Becture "#&" at the Muildhall Bondon.%&J' Adichie

also spo!e on being a -eminist -or +;4uston in ;ecember "#&" with

her speech entitled L:e should all be -eministsL.%&' +his speech

was sampled -or the "#&$ song L^^^3lawlessL by American

per-ormer eyonc


14/153

and her views on gender construction and se4uality. Adichie believes that

the problem with gender is that it shapes who we are.%"#'

_I am angry. Mender as it -unctions today is a grave in/ustice. :e

should all be angry. Anger has a long history o- bringing about positive

change but in addition to being angry I1m also hope-ul because I believe

deeply in the ability o- human beings to ma!e and rema!e themselves -or

the better.L %"&'

`arious parts o- Adichie>s tal! were sampled in eyoncs song

L3lawlessL in ;ecember "#&$.%""'

Adichie commented about her speech being -eatured in L3lawlessL

in an interview with NG.org. 7he believes it is great that the young

generation starts tal!ing about -eminism.%"$'

+he use o- Adichie>s speech in the song has brought many critiques

against eyonc< calling hersel- a -eminist. Adichie de-ended eyonc< by

asserting that people who say they are -eminists are indeed -eminists.%"'

;istinctions

Awar% an% n"minati"n%edit'

1ear Awar% -"rk 2eult

"##"

Caine rize -or A-rican :ritingLFou inAmericaL

Nominated%A'

Commonwealth 7hort 7toryCompetition

L+he +ree inMrandma>sMardenL

Nominated%'

C 7hort 7tory CompetitionL+hat6armattanZorningL

:on%C'

"##"H"##$

;avid +. :ong International 7hort7tory rize (N American

L6al- o- a Fellow 7unL

:on

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_note-21http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_note-22http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beyonc%C3%A9http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flawless_(Beyonc%C3%A9_song)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_note-23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NPR.orghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_note-24http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_note-25http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie&action=edit&section=6&editintro=Template:BLP_editintrohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caine_Prize_for_African_Writinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#endnote_Ahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_Short_Story_Competitionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_Short_Story_Competitionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#endnote_Bhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBChttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#endnote_Chttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PEN_American_Centerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_note-21http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_note-22http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beyonc%C3%A9http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flawless_(Beyonc%C3%A9_song)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_note-23http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NPR.orghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_note-24http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_note-25http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie&action=edit&section=6&editintro=Template:BLP_editintrohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caine_Prize_for_African_Writinghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#endnote_Ahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_Short_Story_Competitionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_Short_Story_Competitionhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#endnote_Bhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBChttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#endnote_Chttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PEN_American_Center


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Center Award)

"##$ ?. 6enry rizeL+he AmericanmbassyL

:on

"##

6urston@:right Begacy AwardE est;ebut 3iction Category

Purple Hibiscus

:on

?range rizeNominated%A'

oo!er rizeNominated%;'

Foung Adult Bibrary 7ervicesAssociation est oo!s -or Foung

Adults Award

Nominated

"##H"##D

0ohn Blewellyn Ghys rizeNominated%A'

"##D

Commonwealth :riters> rizeE est3irst oo! (A-rica)

:on

Commonwealth :riters> rizeE est3irst oo! (overall)

:on

"##K National oo! Critics Circle Award

Half of a Yello!un

Nominated

"##

ritish oo! AwardsE LGichard 0udy est Gead o- the FearLcategory

Nominated

0ames +ait lac! Zemorial rize Nominated

Commonwealth :riters> rizeE estoo! (A-rica)

Nominated%A'

Anisfeld@:ol- oo! AwardE 3ictioncategory :on

%C'

N eyond Zargins Award :on%C'

?range roadband rizeE 3ictioncategory

:on

"##J International Impac ;ublin Award 6ersel- Nominated

Geader>s ;igest Author o- the FearAward

:on

3uture Award NigeriaE Foung :on

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PEN_American_Centerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O._Henry_Prizehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurston-Wright_Legacy_Awardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_Prizehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#endnote_Ahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booker_Prizehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#endnote_Dhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Adult_Library_Services_Associationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Adult_Library_Services_Associationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Llewellyn_Rhys_Prizehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#endnote_Ahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_Writers'_Prizehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Book_Critics_Circle_Awardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half_of_a_Yellow_Sunhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half_of_a_Yellow_Sunhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#endnote_Ahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anisfield-Wolf_Book_Awardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#endnote_Chttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PEN/Open_Bookhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#endnote_Chttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PEN_American_Centerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PEN_American_Centerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O._Henry_Prizehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurston-Wright_Legacy_Awardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purple_Hibiscushttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_Prizehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#endnote_Ahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booker_Prizehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#endnote_Dhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Adult_Library_Services_Associationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Adult_Library_Services_Associationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Llewellyn_Rhys_Prizehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#endnote_Ahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_Writers'_Prizehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Book_Critics_Circle_Awardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half_of_a_Yellow_Sunhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half_of_a_Yellow_Sunhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#endnote_Ahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anisfield-Wolf_Book_Awardhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#endnote_Chttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PEN/Open_Bookhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#endnote_C


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erson o- the Fear category%"D'

ZacArthur 3oundation MeniusMrant (along with " otherwinners)%"K'

:on

"##

International Nonino rize%"' :on

3ran! ?>Connor International 7hort7tory Award

The Thin" Around YourNec#

Nominated%;'

0ohn Blewellyn Ghys rizeNominated%A'

"#

Commonwealth :riters> rizeE estoo! (A-rica)

Nominated%A'

;ayton Biterary eace rizeNominated%'

"#&& +his;ay AwardsE LNew Champions-or an nduring CultureL category

6ersel- Nominated

"#&$

Chicago +ribune 6eartland rizeE3iction category

Americanah

:on

National oo! Critics Circle AwardE

3iction category%"J'%"'%$#' :on

"#&

aileys :omen>s rize -or 3iction%$&'Nominated%A'

Andrew Carnegie Zedal -or4cellence in 3iction%$"'

Nominated%A'

Z+` A-rica Zusic Awards "#&Eersonality o- the Fear%$$'

6ersel- Nominated

A* 7hortlisted

B* Gunner@up

C* 0oint win

/* Bonglisted

#ther rec"gniti"n

• "# Bisted among The Ne Yor#er ]s L"# 5nder #L

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3oreign olicy. Getrieved & ;ecember "#&$.

7ourceE httpEHHen.wi!ipedia.orgHwi!iHChimamandaONgoziOAdichie

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_ref-30http://bookcritics.org/blog/archive/announcing-the-national-book-critics-awards-finalistshttp://bookcritics.org/blog/archive/announcing-the-national-book-critics-awards-finalistshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_ref-31http://bookcritics.org/blog/archive/national-book-critics-circle-announces-award-winners-for-publishing-year-20http://bookcritics.org/blog/archive/national-book-critics-circle-announces-award-winners-for-publishing-year-20http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_ref-32http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/apr/07/donna-tartt-baileys-womens-prize-fiction-2012-shortlisthttp://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/apr/07/donna-tartt-baileys-womens-prize-fiction-2012-shortlisthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Guardianhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_ref-italie_33-0http://seattletimes.com/html/books/2023957398_apxbookscarnegiemedals.htmlhttp://seattletimes.com/html/books/2023957398_apxbookscarnegiemedals.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_ref-34http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/entertainment/2014/04/17/mafikizolo-uhuru-davido-lead-nominations-for-mtv-africa-music-awardshttp://www.sowetanlive.co.za/entertainment/2014/04/17/mafikizolo-uhuru-davido-lead-nominations-for-mtv-africa-music-awardshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_ref-35http://www.foreignpolicy.com/2013_global_thinkers/public/adichiehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichiehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_ref-30http://bookcritics.org/blog/archive/announcing-the-national-book-critics-awards-finalistshttp://bookcritics.org/blog/archive/announcing-the-national-book-critics-awards-finalistshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_ref-31http://bookcritics.org/blog/archive/national-book-critics-circle-announces-award-winners-for-publishing-year-20http://bookcritics.org/blog/archive/national-book-critics-circle-announces-award-winners-for-publishing-year-20http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_ref-32http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/apr/07/donna-tartt-baileys-womens-prize-fiction-2012-shortlisthttp://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/apr/07/donna-tartt-baileys-womens-prize-fiction-2012-shortlisthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Guardianhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_ref-italie_33-0http://seattletimes.com/html/books/2023957398_apxbookscarnegiemedals.htmlhttp://seattletimes.com/html/books/2023957398_apxbookscarnegiemedals.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_ref-34http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/entertainment/2014/04/17/mafikizolo-uhuru-davido-lead-nominations-for-mtv-africa-music-awardshttp://www.sowetanlive.co.za/entertainment/2014/04/17/mafikizolo-uhuru-davido-lead-nominations-for-mtv-africa-music-awardshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie#cite_ref-35http://www.foreignpolicy.com/2013_global_thinkers/public/adichiehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimamanda_Ngozi_Adichie


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32A/E 4A5E2

C6MAMA'/A '3#7 A/C6E

Purple 6ibicu

4ummary

urple 6ibiscus ta!es place in nugu a city in post@colonial Nigeria

and is narrated by the main character ,ambili Achi!e. ,ambili lives with

her older brother 0a/a (Chu!wu!u Achi!e) a teenager who li!e his sister

e4cels at school but is withdrawn and sullen. ,ambili1s -ather apa

(ugene Achi!e) is a strict authoritarian whose strict adherence to

Catholicism overshadows his paternal love. 6e punishes his wi-e Zama

(eatrice Achi!e) and his children when they -ail to live up to his

impossibly high standards.

+he novel begins on alm 7unday. 0a/a has re-used to go to church

and receive communion. ecause 0a/a has no reasonable e4cuse -or

missing church apa throws his missal at his son. +he boo! hits a shel-

containing his wi-e1s beloved fgurines. +his defant act and resulting

violence mar!s the beginning o- the end o- the Achi!e -amily. ,ambili then

e4plains the events leading up to alm 7unday detailing the seeds o-

rebellion that are planted in the children1s minds by their liberal Aunty

I-eoma apa1s sister.

apa is a prominent fgure in nugu. 6e owns several -actories and

publishes the pro@democracy newspaper the 7tandard. 6e is praised by

his priest 3ather enedict and his editor Ade Co!er -or his many good

wor!s. apa generously donates to his parish and his children1s schools.

6is newspaper publishes articles critical o- the rampant government

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corruption. 7ince the 7tandard tells the truth the sta2 is under constant

pressure -rom the 6ead o- 7tate the military leader who assumes the

presidency -ollowing a coup. :hen Ade Co!er is arrested apa1s bravery

and position in the community help to -ree him.

,ambili is a quiet child. :hen she tries to spea! she o-ten stutters

or has a coughing ft. +he rigid li-e that is shaped by her -ather renders

her mute. ach day she -ollows a schedule that allots only time to study

eat sleep pray and sit with her -amily. ,ambili is a good student rising to

the top o- her class. +he girls at school assume she is a snob because she

doesn1t socialize and always runs straight to her -ather1s car a-ter class.

:hen ,ambili places second on term apa tells her she must e4cel

because Mod e4pects more -rom her. ,ambili is not a snobP she is

motivated by -ear unable to create her own identity.

At Christmas the -amily returns to the apa1s ancestral town Abba.

+he -amily supervises a -east that -eeds the entire umunna [ e4tended

-amily. apa is celebrated -or his generosity in Abba as well. 6owever he

does not allow his children to visit with his own -ather apa@Nnu!wu -or

more than f-teen minutes each Christmas. apa calls his -ather a

8heathen9 because he still -ollows the religious traditions o- his people

the Igbo. :hen Aunty I-eoma comes to visit -rom her 5niversity town o-

Nsu!!a she argues with apa about his mistreatment o- their -ather. ut

apa is frm. 6e will only ac!nowledge and support his -ather i- he

converts. Aunty I-eoma invites ,ambili and 0a/a to visit so they can go on a

pilgrimage to Ao!pe site o- a miraculous apparition o- the `irgin Zary.

apa begrudgingly agrees.

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Nsu!!a is a di2erent world. +he 5niversity is beset by -uel

shortages pay stoppages stri!es at medical clinics blac!outs and

rising -ood prices. +he widowed Aunty I-eoma success-ully raises her three

children Ama!a ?biora and Chima with what little she has. ut her

-amily is a happy one. 5nli!e apa Aunty I-eoma encourages her children

to question authority raising them with -aith but also intellectual

curiosity. Ama!a and ,ambili are very di2erent girls. Ama!a li!e ,ambili1s

classmates assumes her cousin is a privileged snob since she does not

!now how to contribute to household chores. ,ambili retreats into silence

even in Nsu!!a. 0a/a on the other hand blossoms. 6e -ollows the e4ample

o- his younger cousin ?biora concocting his own rite o- initiation out o-

helping his -amily tending a garden and !illing a chic!en. ,ambili begins

to open up when she meets 3ather Amadi. A Nigerian@born priest 3ather

Amadi is gentle and supportive. 6e encourages ,ambili to spea! her mind.

+hrough 3ather Amadi ,ambili learns that it is possible to thin! -or onesel-

and yet still be devout. 7he even begins spea!ing above a whisper to

Ama!a and they become closer.

,ambili and 0a/a learn to be more accepting in Nsu!!a. :hen he -alls

ill Aunty I-eoma brings apa@Nnu!wu to her \at. ,ambili and 0a/a decide

not to tell apa that they are sharing ahome with a 8heathen.9 ,ambili

witnesses her grand-ather1s morning ritual o- innocence where he o2ers

than!s to his gods and proclaims his good deeds. 7he sees the beauty in

this ritual and begins to understand that the di2erence between hersel-

and apa@Nnu!wu is not so great. :hen her -ather fnds out that ,ambili

and 0a/a have spent time with their grand-ather he brings them home.

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Ama!a gives her a painting o- apa@Nnu!wu to ta!e bac! to nugu. apa

punishes his children by pouring hot water over their -eet -or 8wal!ing into

sin.9

ressure mounts on apa. 7oldiers arrest Ade Co!er again and

torture him and they raid the o*ces o- the 7tandard and shut down his

-actories -or health code violations. 7hortly therea-ter the government

murders Ade Co!er. +ensions rise in the home too. ,ambili and 0a/a ta!e

com-ort in the painting o- apa@Nnu!wu. apa catches them however and

he beats ,ambili so severely that she ends up in critical condition in the

hospital. :hen she is well enough to be released she goes to Nsu!!a

instead o- home. 6er crush on 3ather Amadi intensifes and she begins to

brea! out o- her shell more learning how to laugh and to /oin in the Igbo

songs. ut Aunty I-eoma gets fred -rom the 5niversity and decides to go

to America to teach. ,ambili is \oored. 7he is not sure what she will do

without the re-uge provided by her aunt and cousins. Ama!a does not

want to go to America either because her roots are in Nigeria.

Zama comes to Nsu!!a limping out o- a cab. apa has beaten her

again causing another miscarriage. +hough both ,ambili and 0a/a have

seen this happen be-ore this time it is di2erent. Aunty I-eoma urges her

not to return to nugu. ut she ta!es her children bac! with her. +he

-ollowing wee! is alm 7unday when 0a/a re-uses to go to church. In the

wee! between alm 7unday and aster 0a/a grows increasingly defant.

6e fnally demands that he and ,ambili spend aster with their cousins.

:ea!ened by what the children believe is stress he allows them to go to

Nsu!!a. A -ew days later Zama calls. apa has died. :hen Zama le-t


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Nsu!!a she began poisoning her husband1s tea. 0a/a ta!es the blame -or

the crime and goes to prison.

+he fnal chapter o- the boo! ta!es place nearly three years later.

,ambili and Zama visit a hardened 0a/a in prison. 6e has -aced severe

punishments and miserable conditions over the course o- his term.

6owever with the leadership in Nigeria now changing again their lawyers

are confdent that 0a/a will be released. +hough 0a/a has learned to not

e4pect a -avorable outcome ,ambili is over/oyed. 7he dreams that she

will ta!e 0a/a to America to visit Aunty I-eoma together they will plant

orange trees in Abba and purple hibiscuses will bloom again.

Ab"ut Purple 6ibicu

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie1s frst novel Purple Hibiscus was widely

acclaimed when it was published in "##$. 7hortlisted -or

and awarded several prestigious prizes Purple Hibiscus was praised -or

capturing a character and a nation on the cusp o- radical change. Adichie

uses her own childhood e4periences to in-orm the lives o- her characters.

7he was born in ,ambili1s home town o- nugu raised in Aunty

I-eoma1s universityenvironment in Nsu!!a is o- Igbo descent and is a

Catholic.

Purple Hibiscus is a story o- the corruption and religious

-undamentalism that grips Adichie1s native country. +old -rom the point o-

view o- a child overt political messages are held at an arm1s length but

they in-orm ,ambili1s coming o- age. +he wave o- bloody coups and

corrupt military rule that comprises Nigerian politics are touched upon in

the novel through certain characters. +hough apa can be viewed as a

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metaphor -or the dangers o- -undamentalism he tries to put his power to

good use by raising social consciousness. Adichie modeled the

character Ade Co!er a-ter ;ele Miwa a /ournalist and outspo!en critic o-

the Nigerian government. Miwa was !illed by a mail bomb in his home in

&JK. Adichie echoes real political activism and events in her novel.

Adichie was a good student in school but unli!e ,ambili she had a

reputation -or butting heads with her teachersP ?biora ismore li!e Adichie.

urple 6ibiscus is a coming o- age story -or both ,ambili and 0a/a. :hile

0a/a is not allowed to participate in the Igbo ritual o- initiation both

children are able to ta!e considerable steps towards their own adult

identities throughout the novel. Inspired by her outspo!en aunt and

cousin Ama!a ,ambili in particular learns to use her voice. Adichie uses

urple 6ibiscus to give a voice to A-rican e4perience that is not typically

presented by :estern media.

Character 8it

Kambili Achike

+he main character who narrates the story o- her -amily1s

disintegration. :hen the story begins ,ambili is f-teen years old and

pain-ully shy. 7he lives under the strict Catholic rule o- her -ather who

e4pects his children to succeed at all costs. As political unrest seizes

Nigeria ,ambili is introduced to a new way o- li-e by her liberal aunt.

+hough she retains her -aith through several horrendous events ,ambili

learns to question authority when necessary.

Jaja (Chukwuka Achike)

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,ambili1s brother who is about two years older than her. Bi!e

,ambili 0a/a strains under the tyranny o- his -ather. A-ter both his sister

and mother are hospitalized -rom beatings 0a/a begins to rebel. 0a/a is

rational and protective and more outgoing than his sister. 6e severs ties

with both his -ather and -aith. 0a/a ta!es the blame -or his mother1s crime.

Papa (Eugene Achike)

A prominent man in the Achi!e1s village o- nugu apa runs several

success-ul -actories and publishes an nglish@language

newspaper in-amous -or its criticism o- Nigeria1s corrupt government. 6e

is a devout Catholic who e4pects nothing less than per-ection -rom his

-amily. apa punishes his wi-e and children in order to correct their

behavior. apa is beloved in his community but is estranged -rom his own

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Mama (Beatrice Achike)

Zama is a quiet and religious woman accustomed to obeying the

rule o- her husband. +hough the abuse worsens over time she re-uses to

leave. 5ltimately she realizes she must protect her children and poisons

her husband.

Aunty !e"ma

apa1s sister who teaches at the 5niversityin nearby Nsu!!a. I-eoma

is widowed caring -or three children on a meager salary. 7he is liberal and

outspo!en but also a devout Catholic. 5nli!e her brother she respects the

religion and traditions o- her -ather. 6er way o- li-e inspires ,ambili and

0a/a to rethin! their own upbringing.

Papa&'nukwu

I-eoma and ugene1s -ather. apa@Nnu!wu is a

traditionalist holding on to the -aith o- his ancestors. ,ambili grows to

love apa@Nnu!uw despite her -ather1s warnings that he is a heathen.

+hrough his /oy and warm spirit ,ambili learns that both -amily and -aith

are more complicated than what she has been taught.

Amaka

Aunty I-eoma1s eldest daughter f-teen yearsold. 7he is fercely loyal

to her Nigerian roots despite her Catholic upbringing. Ama!a is critical o-

her cousin1s wealth and mee!ness. ?vertime Ama!a and ,ambili come to

understand one another and a sisterly bond is -orged through adversity.

#bi"ra

Aunty I-eoma1s eldest son -ourteen years old. 7ince the death o- his

-ather ?biora hasassumed the role o- man o- the house. 6e is questioning


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and mature and delights in intellectual debate. ?biora inspires 0a/a to

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Chima

Aunty I-eoma1s youngest boy seven years old. Chima is the baby

and does not yet have many responsibilites. 6e clings onto his mother and

to both ?biora and 3ather Amadi. It is clear he misses a male role model.

$ather Ama%i

A young missionary priest based in thechaplaincy in Nsu!!a. ,ambili

-alls in love with him. 6e is warm and gentle to the children o- the village

representing a modern ta!e on -aith. 6e is respect-ul o- his Nigerian roots

incorporating native Igbo songs o- worship into his sermons. 6is bond with

Aunty I-eoma1s -amily is strong. 6e en/oys lively debate with both Ama!a

and ?biora. 6e is ta!en with ,ambili in part because she is so quiet. 6e

encourages ,ambili to spread her wings.

$ather Bene%ict

+he white ritish@born head o- 7t. Agnes the Achi!e1s church. 6e is

a supportive ally o- apa1s praising him constantly as one o- the pillars o-

the community. 3ather enedict is austere and o2ers only his view o-

religion.

A%e C"ker

+he editor o- the 7tandard apa1s paper. :ith apa1s support he is

openly critical o- the corrupt government and becomes a political target.

6e is !illed by a letter bomb bearing the 7tate 7eal.

1ewan%e C"ker

Ade1s wi-e. 7he is widowed with two young children who apa tries

to help.

4ii


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+he passive servant girl in the Achi!e household. 7isi provides Zama

with the poison used to !ill apa.


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Chinwe 1i%e+e

A gossipy classmate o- ,ambili1s. 7he beats ,ambili -or head o- class

in one term.

E+inne

+he only classmate who is !ind to ,ambili.

Kein

+he Achi!es1 driver. Zama fres him a-ter apa dies.

Chiaku

A pro-essor -riend o- Aunty I-eoma>s who is critical o- a move to

America.

3l"ary

Aku

:inged termites

Allaman%a

A \owering shrub

Atil"gwu

A spirited dance traditional to the Igbo people

B"ub"u

A \owing wide@sleeved robe

B"urnita

A malted drin!

Caaa

A root vegetable also called yuca

Chaplaincy

+he institute -or missionary clergy


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Chin chin

A -ried snac! similar to a donut

C"c"yam

A root vegetable also called taro

C"n9rmati"n

A rite o- initiation similar to a coming o- age ceremony in

Christianity. +eenage boys and girls choose the name o- a saint to adopt

as their own in addition to their given name.

/"g"nyar"

A big strong evergreen tree

Enugu

Capital city o- nugu state in Nigeria

:tag;re

A shel- that holds small decorative ob/ects

E0treme uncti"n

Also !nown as Anointing o- the 7ic! a blessing with oils per-ormed

-or the gravely ill.

$ela

3ela ,uti a prominent Nigerian musician and political activist who

was /ailed several times -or the critical overtones o- his music. +he creator

o- A-robeat a musical genre blending /azz and -un! with traditional A-rican

rhythms.

$rangipani

A \owering tree with -ragrant blooms


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$u!u

A paste made -rom boiled starchy root vegetables. 3u-u is

o-ten molded piece by piece into a utensil -or soup and then eaten.

3arri

A grain or porridge made -rom the grain that is produced -rom the

-ermented mash o- a cassava

3melina

A \owering tree with yellow -ruit

6armattan

A dry and duty wind

6aua

An ethnic group indigenous to northern A-rica or the language

spo!en by the 6ausa people

6ighli!e

A musical genre popular in :estern A-ricacharacterized by /azzy

horns and guitar

gb"

An ethnic group indigenous to southeastern Nigeria or the language

spo!en by the Igbo people

gwe

A royal fgure in the village

0"ra

a \owering shrub similar to /asmine

Malleable

Capable o- being shaped by outside -orcespliable


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Mial

A boo! containing instructions and te4ts -or the celebration o- Zass

throughout the year

Mmu"

Zasquerading spirits represented by a parade o- mas!ed men. +hey

o2er tributes to their ancestral spirits.

M"i m"i

7teamed bean pudding

'aira

Currency in Nigeria

'EPA

National lectric ower Authority organization that regulates power

usage

'inth Mile

An intersection o- three ma/or roads near nugu

'"ena

A devotion consisting o- a prayer repeated on nine successive days

as!ing to obtain special graces

'+u

Clay

#blate

A person who is specifcally dedicated to Mod

#kpa

7teamed pea paste

#nyeka


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?nye!a ?nwenu a Nigerian singer actress and politician

#a%ebe

Chie- 7tephen ?sita ?sadebe a popular Igbo highli-e musician

Pana%"l

Acetaminaphen a pain!iller

2"ary

A series o- prayers in traditional Catholicdevotion. A rosary also

re-ers to a strand consisting o- a bead -or every prayer recited in this

series.

4"utane

Cassoc! an an!le@length robe worn by clergy


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concluded that she fnds her own voice throughout this ordeal. oth

,ambili and 0a/a ta!e steps towards adulthood by overcoming adversity

and being e4posed to new thoughts.

art o- growing up is building your own identity by choosing which

paths to -ollow. In nugu the only path ,ambili and 0a/a are allowed to

-ollow is apa. 6e writes out schedules and severely punishes them when

they stray. :hen ,ambili and 0a/a visit theirAunty I-eoma in Nsu!!a they

are astonished by what they fnd. +hough her home is small and devoid o-

lu4uries there is love and respect. 6er children Ama!a and ?biora are

allowed to question authority and choose their own paths. ?biora though

he is three years younger than 0a/a is articulate and protective. 6e has

been initiated into Igbo culture by per-orming a rite o- manhood. 0a/a was

not allowed to participate and is ashamed that he is lagging behind his

cousin. In Nsu!!a 0a/a is encouraged to rethin! his allegiances and ma!e

his own decisions.

Aunty I-eoma encourages ,ambili to reconsider her stance on apa@

Nnu!wu. As she has been taught by apa her grand-ather is a heathen.

ut when she searches his -ace she sees no signs o- godliness. A-ter

witnessing his innocence ritual ,ambili questions the absolute rule o- her

-ather. oth ,ambili and 0a/a ta!e ma/or steps towards adulthood by

claiming their individuality.

2eligi"n

+here is a contrast between 3ather enedictand 3ather Amadi. riest

at apa1s beloved 7t. Agnes 3ather enedict is a white man -rom ngland

who conducts his masses according to uropean custom. apa adheres to

http://www.gradesaver.com/purple-hibiscus/study-guide/character-list#aunty-ifeomahttp://www.gradesaver.com/purple-hibiscus/study-guide/character-list#amakahttp://www.gradesaver.com/purple-hibiscus/study-guide/character-list#obiorahttp://www.gradesaver.com/purple-hibiscus/study-guide/character-list#papa-nnukwuhttp://www.gradesaver.com/purple-hibiscus/study-guide/character-list#papa-nnukwuhttp://www.gradesaver.com/purple-hibiscus/study-guide/character-list#father-benedicthttp://www.gradesaver.com/purple-hibiscus/study-guide/character-list#father-amadihttp://www.gradesaver.com/purple-hibiscus/study-guide/character-list#aunty-ifeomahttp://www.gradesaver.com/purple-hibiscus/study-guide/character-list#amakahttp://www.gradesaver.com/purple-hibiscus/study-guide/character-list#obiorahttp://www.gradesaver.com/purple-hibiscus/study-guide/character-list#papa-nnukwuhttp://www.gradesaver.com/purple-hibiscus/study-guide/character-list#papa-nnukwuhttp://www.gradesaver.com/purple-hibiscus/study-guide/character-list#father-benedicthttp://www.gradesaver.com/purple-hibiscus/study-guide/character-list#father-amadi


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3ather enedict1s style banishing every trace o- his own Nigerian

heritage. apa uses his -aith to /usti-y abusing his children. Geligion alone

is not to blame. apa represents the wave o- -undamentalism in Nigeria

that corrupts -aith.

3ather Amadi on the other hand is an A-rican priest who blends

Catholicism with Igbo traditions. 6e believes that -aith is both simpler

and more comple4 than what 3ather enedict preaches. 3ather Amadi is a

modern A-rican man who is culturally@conscious but in\uenced by the

colonial history o- his country. 6e is not a moral absolutist li!e apa and

his Mod. Geligion when wielded by someone gentle can be a positive

-orce as it is in ,ambili1s li-e.

apa@Nnu!wu is a traditionalist. 6e -ollows the rituals o-

his ancestors and believes in a pantheistic model o- religion. +hough both

his son and daughter converted to Catholicism apa@Nnu!wu held on to

his roots. :hen ,ambili witnesses his morning ritual she realizes that

their -aiths are not as di2erent as they appear. ,ambili1s

-aithe4tends beyond the boundaries o- one religion. 7he revels in the

beauty o- nature her -amily her prayer and the ible. :hen she

witnesses the miracle at Ao!pe ,ambili1s devotion is confrmed. Aunty

I-eoma agrees that Mod was present even though she did not see the

apparition. Mod is all around ,ambili and her -amily and can ta!e the -orm

o- a smile.

+he individualistic nature o- -aith is e4plored in urple 6ibiscus.

,ambili tempers her devotion with a reverence -or her ancestors. 0a/a


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and Ama!a end up re/ecting their -aith because it is ine4orably lin!ed to

apa and colonialism respectively.

C"l"nialim

Colonialism is a comple4 topic in Nigeria. 3or apa@Nnu!wu

colonialism is an evil -orce that enslaved the Igbo people and eradicated

his traditions. 3or apa colonialism is responsible -or his access to higher

education and grace. 3or 3ather Amadi it has resulted in his -aith but he

sees no reason that the old and new ways can1t coe4ist. 3ather Amadi

represents modern Nigeria in the global world.

apa is a product o- a colonialist education. 6e was schooled by

missionaries and studied in nglish. +he wisdom he ta!es bac! to Nigeria

is largely in-ormed by those who have colonized his country. 6e abandons

the traditions o- h

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