Purple Hibiscus

Part 1, Pages 3-16

Reading Check

1. Palm Sunday (Part 1, Pages 3-16)

2. The Bible (Part 1, Pages 3-16)

Short Answer

1. Papa attempts to control his family with his rage and violence. It does not appear to work as Jaja still does not plan to do as his father tells him. (Part 1, Pages 3-16)

2. Kambili is referring to the gesture of her father allowing her to drink tea. She is comparing how their family does not have the same deep connections they used to have. (Part 1, Pages 3-16)

Part 2, Pages 19-51

Reading Check

1. Father Amandi (Part 2, Pages 27-36)

2. Papa beats her. (Part 2, Pages 27-36)

3. Her forgiveness (Part 2, Pages 27-36)

Short Answer

1. He vows to put an end to violence. (Part 2, Pages 19-26)

2. Papa expects Kambili to become first in her class. He visits her at school to share his disappointment that she is second class, and to stress God’s expectation of perfectionism. (Part 2, Pages 37-51)

3. Kambili is wealthy and does not speak to the other students. She is afraid to interact with others because of Papa’s strict guidelines. (Part 2, Pages 37-51)

Part 2, Pages 52-109

Reading Check

1. First girl (Part 2, Pages 52-70)

2. Chief/Omelora (Part 2, Pages 52-70)

3. His own father/Papa-Nnukwu (Part 2, Pages 52-70)

4. Aro festival (Part 2, Pages 71-88)

5. He is dying (Part 2, Pages 89-109)

Short Answer

1. Kambili sees her grandfather as very loving and forgiving. He is not as stringent as her own father or her other grandfather. (Part 2, Pages 52-70)

2. Kambili has little joy in her own family due to her father’s abuse, but she experiences joy and laughter in Aunty Ifeoma’s family. She dreams she laughs like Aunty Ifeoma because she does not know what her own laughter sounds like, indicating she is rarely happy. (Part 2, Pages 71-88)

Part 2, Pages 110-205

Reading Check

1. Laughter (Part 2, Pages 110-139)

2. A purple hibiscus (Part 2, Pages 110-139)

3. Father Amadi (Part 2, Pages 110-139)

4. Papa-Nnukwu (Part 2, Pages 162-205)

Short Answer

1. Soldiers have raided the Standard and Papa’s publisher, Ade Coker, is in jail again. (Part 2, Pages 140-161)

2. Kambili has been taught by her father that it is dangerous to speak out and to have emotions. Kambili’s father expects perfection and the simplest way to achieve that is to not say anything. (Various Pages)

3. Sh didn’t tell Papa Papa-Nnukwu was going to be at Aunty Ifeoma’s house. (Part 2, Pages 162-205)

Part 2, Pages 206-253

Reading Check

1. A bomb (Part 2, Pages 206-216)

2. She was caught looking at Amaka’s painting of Papa-Nnukwu. (Part 2, Pages 206-216)

3. Aunty Ifeoma (Part 2, Pages 217-239)

4. Mama Joe’s (Part 2, Pages 217-239)

Short Answer

1. They are wearing pants and improper head scarves. It is very different from St. Agnes at home. (Part 2, Pages 240-253)

2. Mama reveals that she has lost another baby after Papa, who did not know she was pregnant, broke a bible over her stomach. She is in Nsukka to take the children home. (Part 2, Pages 240-253)

Part 3, Pages 257-291

Reading Check

1. She is fired. (Part 3, Pages 257-270)

2. Germany (Part 3, Pages 257-270)

3. Change her name. (Part 3, Pages 271-287)

4. Papa is dead. (Part 3, Pages 271-287)

Short Answer

1. Kambili likes that Father Amadi is kind and loves laughter like her Aunty Ifeoma. He is peaceful, unlike her father. Kambili also says that Father Amadi makes her see God in everything. (Various Pages)

2. Mama reveals that she killed Papa after the police call to say he has been poisoned. The police arrive to arrest Mama, but Jaja takes the blame for Papa’s death. (Part 3, Pages 288-291)

Part 4, Pages 295-307

Reading Check

1. She killed him. (Part 4, Pages 295-307)

2. He will be freed soon. (Part 4, Pages 295-307)

Short Answer

1. Jaja becomes angry, bitter, and rebellious while in prison, likely due to the deplorable conditions. (Part 4, Pages 295-307)

2. They describe themselves as being fat and having electricity, but laughting less because they are too busy working. (Part 4, Pages 295-307)