Purple Hibiscus depicts traditionalists as being marginalized by their beliefs and the impact of Western Colonization. The three characters Papa-Nnukwu, Papa Eugene and Father Amadi, show this. Papa-Nnukwu can be found in the traditionalists section of NIgeria. Papa (Kambili’s son and father of Papa-Nnukwu), who is a very committed Catholic, cuts all connections to his father. Papa Nnukwu has chosen to believe in Christianity, and his son refuses to associate with him. It is also the children who are responsible for the marginalization Papa Nnukwu. Kambili, Jaja and Jaja can only spend 15 minutes at their grandfather’s home. He is also not allowed to enter Papa Eugene’s home. This effectively casts him out of his family and grandchildren. Purple Hibiscus is full of drama as Papa Nnukwu’s beliefs and Papa Eugene’s interpretations. Papa Nnukwu had no son to support him, but his daughter was well-present in his world. Aunty Ifeoma was persistent in trying to help her brother stop the devaluing of her father. She explained that the religion her father chose did not worship God in the same way as hers. Jaja, Kambili and their grandfather slept in the same house as them. Papa Eugene’s hatred and dismissal of traditionalists can be seen in his decision to pour boiling water on his children’s feet after questioning them. Yes, Papa’. Papa Eugene’s experience of colonization is evident in his father’s attitude, as well as the attitude of others, who believe that those who have made mistakes should be kept away from those who are considered “heathens” for the sake of maintaining holiness. One example is the case of an elderly man, who allegedly grew-up with Eugene’s dad, entering the compound to find out that Eugene was here. Papa Eugene begins screaming in panic and asks “What’s Anikwenwa doing here?” Is there an idol worshipper in my home? You must leave my home.” Papa Nnukuwu orders two men to drag Anikwenwa outside the compound. The friend of Papa Nnukuwu starts yelling at Papa: “Ifukwa, gi.” You are like an insect, following blindly the corpse into his grave. Eugene is a colonial product. His blindness to the ideologies imposed by White men marginalizes him. Eugene not only did this to his people but also with their language. Instead of using it like a normal person, Eugene prefers to use it to indicate something bad is occurring, regardless if it’s sinful or not. When something is bad, it is often proven by the narrator who refers to Papa’s Igbo language. Kambili is caught by Papa allowing Kambili and his family to eat out from a bowl with cereal several minutes prior to Eucharist. He asks in Igbo: “Has he asked you all for errands for his? Is the devil constructing a tent in your house? After asking these questions, chaos ensues. Papa begins to hit Mama Kambili and takes off his belt. Papa, who is not associated with the Igbo language as a matter of fact, chooses English as the “language God” or civilized way to speak English. We are told as readers when Papa recognizes that English has been chosen by the holy people. “Papa enjoyed it when the villagers tried to speak English with him. He believed it was a good sign. When he was in white religious groups like Sister Margaret and Father Benedict, he “Changed” his accent to sound British. These are all examples of evidence that Papa Eugene was a traditionalist and Catholicism advocate.
Papa Eugene’s ideologies are savagely opposed by Father Amadi, a priest that combines Igbo traditions and Catholicism. He believes religion and faith are more complicated than they seem. Father Amadi has a strong influence of Catholiscism. He is however open to the traditions and customs of his country. Amadi isn’t a wild force like Papa. Kambili was an important part of showing Papa Nnukuwu that his traditional beliefs weren’t as bad or different as Papa Eugene thought.
The belief system of traditionalists is what makes them so deplorable. The conflict between traditionalist beliefs and colonial influence is a major problem for the group we are referring to (traditionalists). Papa-Nukwu is one of many Purple Hibiscus residents who are marginalized.
Comments are closed.