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Purple Hibiscus Study Guide

by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

The Purple Hibiscus study guide contains a biography of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

Purple Hibiscus takes place in Enugu, a city in post-colonial Nigeria, and is narrated by the main character, Kambili Achike. Kambili lives with her older brother Jaja (Chukwuku Achike), a teenager who, like his sister, excels at school but is withdrawn and sullen. Kambili’s father, Papa (Eugene Achike) is a strict authoritarian whose strict adherence to Catholicism overshadows his paternal love. He punishes his wife, Mama (Beatrice Achike), and his children when they fail to live up to his impossibly high standards.

The novel begins on Palm Sunday. Jaja has refused to go to church and receive communion. Because Jaja has no reasonable excuse for missing church, Papa throws his missal at his son. The book hits a shelf containing his wife’s…

Read the full Purple Hibiscus Summary

• Purple Hibiscus Summary
• About Purple Hibiscus
• Character List
• Glossary of Terms
• Major Themes
• Quotes and Analysis
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter One
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter Two
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter Three
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter Four
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter Five
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter Six
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter Seven
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter Eight
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter Nine
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter Ten
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter Eleven
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter Twelve
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter Thirteen
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter Fourteen
• Summary and Analysis of Chapters Fifteen and Sixteen
• Summary and Analysis of Chapter Seventeen
• Colonialism, Independence and Corruption
• Related Links on Purple Hibiscus
• Suggested Essay Questions
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 1
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 2
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 3
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 4
• Author of ClassicNote and Sources

• Purple Hibiscus: Major Themes
• Purple Hibiscus: Essays
• Purple Hibiscus: Questions
• Purple Hibiscus: Purchase the Novel and Related Material
• Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: Biography