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.