PH- Blog Post

Archetypes found in Purple Hibiscus:

The Villain-

In the story Purple Hibiscus, many types of Archetypes can be found. The most relevant archetype  in the novel to me is "the villain". First off a n Archetype is a literary device and a universal symbol for literary work. So I feel like the archetype I chose was relevant because in the story although Papa is the source of everything(money, clothing , education) he is looked upon as a type of Villain by the family. Reading this book I understand that Papa is head breadwinner of the family he is also a very difficult character to deal with. Setting so many restrictions on children will cause them to either fear you or dread being around you, and in the families care they are included in both. They fear, love, and hate Papa all at the same time. As presented in the text and mentioned before, religion is a big thing to Papa within his family, and from my stand point I feel like he uses that against his family. In Purple Hibiscus, Papa's father isn't involved in the 'Catholic" church so instead of understanding his father might have different beliefs, he uses that to segregate him father from the family. He doesn't fully excommunicate his father but allows him to get 15 minutes to spend with his grandchildren and daughter in-law. In the story the kids and family also have been trained to not talk at the dinner table or even around the house unless they've been spoken to first. Jaja and Kambili hate this because the only time they can talk is when their father isn't around, other than that all they do is study and try to be top of their class in order to make their father proud. Papa basically guides the family into what he says is the right thing to do. How would you feel if you resided in a, 'speak when spoken to' kind of environment.






This is a photo of what it appears a happy family, and in the story it is obvious, this would be a description of the family in Kamili's eyes.

Purple Hibiscus

A major conflict in the story, Purple Hibiscus, is the addition of family members. After delivering Jaja, Mama was having a hard time being able to conceive a child. Mama and Papa had been trying to make a baby, time in and time out but the only think that was delivered were miscarriages and heartache. Mama blames herself for the longest at to it being her fault she couldn't have a child and decided it wasn't in God's interest for her to have anymore children. Then one day after six years of trying, Mama gets morning sickness and realizes she is now pregnant. This came to a surprise to the family because she had been trying to have a child since young Jaja was born. This pregnancy situation was an ongoing conflict for the family because each mourned for an addition, but n no way did they think it was going to be possible. An when it finally did happen, they were ecstatic. Eleven- week into the pregnancy,  Mama got into an accident but didn't let the family know and went straight to the doctors. After seeing her children Mama confessed, "there was an accident, the baby I gone,(Adichie, page35)" and went back to sleep. This wasn't too uncommon for the family but was also a devastating statement no one wanted to hear. This photo shows a couple maybe depressed thinking about something and it reminded me of Mama and Papa. I say this because no maybe how disappointed they were about the inability to have a child, Papa never left her and remarried he always stayed by her side through it all.

 
 

Purple Hibiscus

Purple Hibiscus is a story that takes place in the city of Enuga, Nigeria. The story revolves around the character of Kambili Achike and her family. In the novel, she undergoes different situations that shape her into who she is. The predominant factor in her life is the impact her father has on her. Kambili's father, Papa, is a hardworking man who works 2 jobs at several factories and working for the newspaper. With his hard work he expects his children to be also working hard, fulfilling their duties in school everyday. Something very important to Papa and the family is placing first in the class at the end of each term. He tries to teach Kambili and Jaja(Kambili's brother) that working hard for your family is very important.

In the story Papa says, "Why do you think I have to work so hard to give you and Jaja the best? You have to do something with all these privileges. Because God has in you so much, he expects perfection. I walked eight miles to school every day(Adiche page 47)." This quote and Papa's teaching interested me because I was raised with the same ideals. My mom taught me most of the lessons in my life. Lessons like how to save money, how to be responsible. and how to do your best. Doing my best is a hard task at ties but it is not unreachable. My mom is a registered nurse and works are 3 different jobs so working hard is something she does on a regular basis. Everyday she tells me I need to work harder and harder since I have a goal of becoming a cardiologist. And while she's at work she wants my brothers and I to metaphorically allow school to be our JOB. And by fulfilling my duties in school, my job is fulfilled.

This video is from the show, "World's Strictest parents," and in the show the kids who may have been acting up at home, go stay at a strict households home for a few days. At the end of the visit this makes them realize how good they have it at home and how they should be more respectful and work harder. Lessons like this are very beneficial because parents may not understand the lesson said by their parents but when they are with other parents the understand what their parents were trying to teach. Watching your parents work hard sends the message that you should also be working hard and I've learned this over the years such as Kambili in, Purple Hibiscus, has learned she must also work hard because school is her job.

Evaluations #3 Keep it Movin

Evaluation: Why would specific groups of people like or dislike this book?

People more into cultured books with like, Keep it Movin. I say this because the book isn't very diverse,except for Jayd's relationship with Jeremy. Other than the the book is mainly focused of African Americans surviving the streets of Compton. So anyone who likes reading about reading about different situations such as dealing with friendships and relationships. I feel people undergoing the same things like the people presented in the story would love it because it is a fictional realistic book. Although it doesn't fully uncover the truths like being bullied or going to different parties and such, it does reveal how friends turn your back and turn into enemies, so for all the people who have 'friendemies' I recommend this book to you. But for those people who want an actually 'story' or something being fortunate or unfortunate, I don't recommend this. Like I was say this not a diverse book meaning it is geared mainly to black people who have something in common to the characters in the story.

Evaluation: Which character is most important to the story? Why?

The most important character in this story happens to be, Jayd. She goes through so many problems that would be uncommon in different races. Jayd is a strong 16 year old also because she stays positive. When all of her friends turn against her and she is left with one, she still looks at the bright side believing she doesn't need anyone to make her happy. Friendships are for the most part hard because you never know what to expect considering people change so much, one day they might love you and be down for you and the next they're not. That is a problem Jayd is going through with Rah. Ever since their little break up, Rah mainly comes around to her when he is lonely or needs a friend. When Jayd needs to see Rah( or wants to) there always a problem why he can't see her and that's an iffy friendship. Although they claim the love each other Jayd goes out her way to make time for Rah but he doesn't do the same. This is what caused her to move on to Jeremy and to eventually become single. I love the character of Jayd because she is forgiving and doesn't ever hold grudges on anyone. Even during her broken relationship with her father she till doesn't call him trash just because they doesn't talk, she accepts the fact and leaves it at that. In the real would I know a lot of people who are spoiled and live with their fathers but still disrespect them and call them trash.  

Evaluation: Make a rating?

If i could I would rate this book at 5. It is an average book about a black family(girl) living in the hood and trying to survive. I read so many books or heard so many stories it almost becomes mediocre. Maybe I only say that because I don't go though these problems, I don't know. I liked the story and how they made it based off a girl and not a guy but most of the events were expected besides Jayd accepting her father into her life and Jayd's family accepting Jeremy. But over all it was a good story with a bunch of realistic scenarios and situations.

Relationships are an ongoing problem in the story, Keep is Movin. Since this story is so drama comprehensive, of course the main source is going to come from different people in the relationships. Jayd versus Rah is a problem that never quite gets addressed or resolves. Jayd and Rah originally found love in the middle school they both shared. As high school approached the best living situation option was for him to go live with his grandparents and Rah did as he was told with vengeance. He did not want to enter high school without his love, Jayd, but it wasn't the best idea for him to live in Compton anymore. As the two separated, the relationship dwindled but love still remained. Time went by as the two became so distant the relationship became too hard to handle. Phone calls went from every day and night after school to once a week and then eventually reaching once a month. After the breakup the two went their separate ways eventually finding new people. As their life went on Rah found a girl named Sandy and had a child with her, and Jayd found a boy named Jeremy. Jeremy was different that the norm that Jayd usually goes for because of his color. At first Jayd was surprised to find herself being with a white but after a few months it became normal to her. After finding out Rah was having a baby she was hurt because she loved him so much she would've had his baby if need be. But after a while Jayd understood that she must live her life in order to be happy. I can relate to this story because I went through something similar. During middle school I never went out with anyone but there was a girl at my school that I really liked. We would always see each other in school of course and even go to the movies SOMETIMES, but the most memorable part about this was that we would sneak and talk on the phone every night. The feelings were mutual in this situation, we both liked each other. As high school approached, there was a change. she was going to a different school than I but I didn't quite understand the severity of the situation until the first weeks of school. We went from best friends to barely friends all within the first week. I know we weren't in a relationship, it felt like one. In many cases distance helps the two involved in a  relationship grow closer, but many times distance only breaks it up.


This video shows a couple who met on online and this is their first time meeting each other. This is an example of what I was talking about when I said distance brings some couples together.


What are some of your thoughts of long-distance relationships?

Keep It Movin'

Sixteen year old, Jayd Jackson; growing up in the poverty stricken hood of Compton California, learns that responsibility is a major factor in becoming an adult. Her hectic life is cluttered around drama, which smothers her more and more every day. Instead of living with her actual parents, Jayd lives with her grandmother(Mama/Lynn Mae) and 4 uncles, and her cousin Jay. As Jayd and Mama grow together they also grow many problems in the process. Going through past relationships, she realizes no one can give her love like her family. Even though her relationship with her mother and father may not have been so strong, she works through it and understands why her grandmother takes care of her, and loves then through it all. Working along the side of her Grandmother, they work hard doing hair. Although she is in school she makes money on the weekends but mostly in the summer when her time isn't limited and also does hair. While trying to focus on school, she going through so many reoccurring problems with friends and family. Tugging at each other, Jayd tries balancing her life but finds it very difficult. She is in a relationship with a boy named, Rah, who was her first love from middle school but is stuck in the middle of all his problems. Rah has a son he takes care and deals with his crazy baby-mama(Sandy) and ex-girlfriend(Trish) as the same time. Although she keeps trying to keep the relationship from turning into a failure, he past keeps popping up reentering her life. Jeremy, Jayd's ex, and Jayd agree to just being friends but its very difficult to just be friends when feelings are involved. In the story Jeremy says Jayd is "the type of girl wanted by a lot of guys," and that he is "jealous of Rah"(pg. 28, line 18-21),meaning he wants to be with Jayd but knows its going to be difficult since so many guys want her. The more Jayd hangs out with Jeremy, the more Rah starts hanging out with Sandy; thus causing an end to the petty relationship. After seeing how well Jayd does handling; her Advanced Placement classes, work, and drama, her father feels it is time for her to get some wheels(a car) some of her transportation problems to vanish. Jayd also gets hit with betrayal by old friends like Misty. As they were former best friends, that label gets changed to "frienemies."

This famous quote gets used by hundreds of thousands of people everyday. This quote just brings reality to the fact that everyone cannot be trusted and the people you call your friends, you have to watch them the most because they can and will do you the dirtiest. Misty, being and old friend of Jayd's, tries ruining her any chance she get such as spreading rumors both true and false around he school, yet always finding ways to call Jayd her friend. And Nellie through it all, is there for Jayd no matter what, that's a true friend. Jayd's grandmother tells her," you are blessed enough to be born in an active house and when you're alone and want to latch onto people, they latch back on to you,"(page 162) this gives evidence that she is well liked and people want to be around her. 

The video is a scene from the "Perks of Being a Wallflower" and it reminded me of Jayd and Misty's relationship because Misty sometimes tries putting Jayd down in public but exposing her secrets to the general population at school!

This was an interesting story because although it was a fictional novel, it seemed very factual. The novel included many type of different drama that is also displayed here at our school. Things like pregnancies, relationships and house hold problems are very real and are displayed in the story too. There were many times in the story where I felt some type of connection, like when Jayd was talking to a peer about the things that happened with her boyfriend and that got passed around the school but was twisted and added to make more interesting, I thought of when that happened to me. And I thought of all the times I thought I was going to be able to trust a friend and got betrayed.  

1. Predict who Jayd will chose; her first love, Rah or ex-boyfriend, Jeremy and why?
2. What lasts longed friendship outside the family or inside the family?