Her inability to socialize with others has had a noticeable impact on her social skills. This impact is highlighted when she visits her aunt's house and is in constant contact with her outspoken cousin, Amaka. This juxtaposition is highly noticeable throughout her time at her aunt's house, as she struggles to make conversation and express herself to anyone there. The only one who is able to break Kambili out of her shell is the local priest, Father Amadi. He takes Kambili to play soccer one day and it is evident that they have some sort of chemistry. Although it seems like innocent banter at first, Kambili develops a crush on the priest. While watching him play soccer, she comments, "I did not look down at his tank top on my lap as I inched my hand ever so slowly toward it. My eyes were on the football field, on Father Amadi's running legs..." (305). It is clear that Father Amadi is the only character, perhaps besides Jaja, who Kambili feels she can express herself to in Purple Hibiscus. I am anxious to see if some sort of "forbidden love" develops between the two as the novel progresses.
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Kambili's Awkwardness in Purple Hibiscus
Purple Hibiscus is written from a first-person perspective with Kambili, a Nigerian teenage girl, as the narrator. One of Kambili's most defining traits is her awkwardness and general discomfort in articulating her words. Although the source of this trait is unclear, I would surmise that it is a result of her father's abuse and strict intervention in her childhood. Take, for example, the fact that Kambili must always run straight out to her car after school or risk being beaten by her father. I would assume this has been happening since she was young, thus leading me to believe that she has never had time to socialize at school. Her father's strict schedule for her probably also prevents her from being social, as she is probably forbidden from doing anything besides studying on the weekend.
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I also found Kambili's silence to be interesting. I felt as though the choking sensation she felt could be a flashback type sensation to when she did speak up in an "unfavorable manner" in front of her father. This, when contrasted with Amaka's loud, bold speech, as I believe James pointed out, even further shows Kambili's silence.
ReplyDeleteAs soon as you start the novel, it is easy to see the character of Kambili. She stands by, just as her mother does, when Eugene is enraged. I agree with the fact that Kambili's awkwardness is due to her father and his abusive behavior and since she has been silenced by her father, it will lead to undeveloped social skills. When looking at the family, it seems as though only the women are silenced because Jaja obvious is not afraid to show his emotions, an example when he refused the Eucharist at church because "it makes his breath smell bad". On another note, I, too, am anxious to see what love develops between Kambili and Father Amadi.
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