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Schule > Englisch > Chimamanda Ngozi Adocjoe - Purple Hibiscus > Effects of religion on the characters' lives and what conflicts arise from it

RELIGION (Conflict & Characterization)

What affect do religions have on the characters lives and what conflicts arise from it?

Intro
In the novel Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the two religions, Catholicism and traditional Igbo practice have a more negative influence on people and their lives because, comparing Kambili's Family with Amaka's, one could literarily see that a life without taking religion too seriously is much more enjoyable. Religion playes the main role and has the most influence on the characters and their choices throughout the story of Kambili. Religion has made Papa Eugene a 'bad' father, because he is too extreme, which makes him violate the human rights. His children's lives are so unvaried, they have no friends and barely speak up for themselves, and they are somewhat their father's slaves. Once Father Amadi comes into Kambili's life, he makes her create and develop her own personality.

From my point of view, Papa Eugene is a substandard Father since he takes his religion too seriously. He takes things to the extreme, and seems obsessed with punishing sins. Since Papa Eugene has many Aficionados, people overlook this, pretend to not know or are Fastidious, because he is very generous in public. I think that human beings cannot only be 'good'; we have both good and bad qualities, in the same way as every living being does. Life is boring when always obeying rules. This is what Kambili's and Jaja's life was like before they visit their Aunt Ifeoma: characterless. They follow their schedules Perennialy and barely question anything; they do not think that life can be different. When Kambili and her Brother visit their Aunt for the first time, Kambili knowingly sins herself by looking at the nakedness of her Grandpa who is a pagan. This shows the reader that change has started in her, because at home she wouldn't even dare to do such thing because she knows it is a sin.

Papa Eugene is haunted by his religion, wanting to be perfect by hurting his beloved children and wife on a physical and emotional level. The irony of this is, that he starts sobbing and praying for his children after he beats them, "I could tell that his eyes were soft, that he was speaking and crying at the same time(212), this is an example of when he assaults Kambili. It is all about perfection, he teaches his children, the way he was taught. If there is no perfection, failure is punished. Throughout the book there is a symbol, symbolizing when someone is about to be hurt, "and locked the door(145), it is what Papa Eugene does when he is about to beat out the sins of his children. This is a reason why Papa Eugene should be classified as a "bad father", since he takes his religion terribly serious, therefore acts much too extreme towards his family.

Silence plays another big role in this novel: it speaks for itself. It is a symbol for Kambili since she uses it as a form of communication. One can express much more through gestures and silence than through words. This is the word that would immediately come up in my mind if one would mention Kambili. It doesn't only influence the characters but also the tone and mood of the story. It makes it more thoughtful and in a way much more dramatic.

As Kambili and Jaja visit their Aunt and her children, they get to meet Father Amadi. We get to meet this character for the first time in the beginning of the novel. It is a sign symbolizing that the character will be important and will not only occur this one time. It even foreshadows and tells the reader he will have a big influence in the novel. As it starts with Kambili in church listening to a young priest who falls into a song while preaching, her first thought is that it is something Papa Eugene dislikes. Nevertheless this is the beginning of change, the moment when Kambili first sees Father Amadi. He makes her do things she has never done before, he makes her believe in herself and think about herself. In the novel he is that one person that is able to bring her to life, and make her overcome her fears.

Conclusion
If this were set as a play, the background would have a huge cross in the background. A teacher would play papa Eugene, and one in specific would fit perfectly, since Papa Eugene is described as big and tall by Kambili "Papa who was sometimes so tall that he sometimes lowered his head to get through doorways(207). Mr. Richards is the first person to come into my mind, since he is so tall and can come over so scary sometimes if you don't know him. Kambili on the other hand would have to be played by a fragile small girl, wearing a long, dull brown dress and a grandma sweater or blouse as well in a dull, dark, sad colour. Every time Father Amadi would appear he would spread a kind of happiness on stage, warm bright music would be played and he would be wearing colourful pants and a nice fashionable shirt/ or no shirt. The stage lights will represent Kambili's feelings representing her dull life in the beginning and ending with a bright yellow light-symbolizing her happy ending.

Bibliography
Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi. Purple Hibiscus: A Novel. Chapel Hill: Algonquin of Chapel Hill, 2003. Print.

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