Flowers of Freedom: Voice, Defiance, and Coming of Age in Purple Hibiscus

Analyze Binyavanga Wainaina's use of satire in his essay "How to Write About Africa."

“The Scramble for Africa: A History of Independence” — (00:00–10:38)
“How to Write About Africa”

Standards

RI.9-10.2RI.9-10.4RI.9-10.6

Analyze how Adichie uses anecdotes to convey the danger of a single story.

“TED Talk: The Danger of a Single Story”

Standards

RI.9-10.2RI.9-10.6

Analyze how Adichie uses characterization and structure to introduce the Achike family.

Purple Hibiscus — pp. 1 – 16, "Breaking Gods: Palm Sunday" and pp. 19–26, "Speaking With Our Spirits: Before Palm Sunday"

Standards

RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.5

Analyze how Adichie develops the motifs of silence and speech through certain key scenes in the novel.

Purple Hibiscus pp. 27–51 — "Speaking With Our Spirits: Before Palm Sunday"
Purple Hibiscus Motif Tracker (G10, U2)
Language Sensitivity Analysis Handout (G10, U2, L4)

Standards

RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.4RL.9-10.6

Analyze how Adichie develops the reader's understanding of the impacts of colonialism in Nigeria.

Purple Hibiscus pp. 52–70 — "Speaking With Our Spirits: Before Palm Sunday"

Standards

RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.3

Analyze how Adichie uses foils when introducing Aunty Ifeoma and her children.

Purple Hibiscus pp. 71–88 — "Speaking With Our Spirits: Before Palm Sunday"

Standards

RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.6

Apply the characteristics of postcolonial literature to a poem and Purple Hibiscus.

“They Don't Love You Like I Love You”
Purple Hibiscus pp. 52–88 — "Speaking With Our Spirits: Before Palm Sunday"
Postcolonial Literature Graphic Organizer (G10, U2)

Standards

RL.9-10.4RL.9-10.6

Analyze how Adichie uses characterization and imagery to develop themes about religion.

Purple Hibiscus pp. 89–109 — "Speaking With Our Spirits: Before Palm Sunday"

Standards

RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4

Analyze the mood of Aunty Ifeoma's home and compare it with Papa's home.

Purple Hibiscus pp. 110–139 — "Speaking With Our Spirits: Before Palm Sunday"
Language Sensitivity Analysis Handout (G10, U2, L9)

Standards

RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4

Discussion

Learn about Fela Kuti and his political resistance, and analyze one of his songs for its message.

“Water No Get Enemy”
“Coffin for Head of State”
“Sorrow Tears and Blood”
“Beasts of No Nation”

Analyze how Adichie develops themes about corruption.

Purple Hibiscus pp. 140–161 — "Speaking With Our Spirits: Before Palm Sunday"

Standards

RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.3

Analyze Kambili's changing views about religion.

Purple Hibiscus pp. 162–182 — "Speaking With Our Spirits: Before Palm Sunday"

Standards

RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4RL.9-10.6

Analyze how Adichie uses characterization, motifs, and structure to develop themes.

Purple Hibiscus pp. 182–205 — "Speaking With Our Spirits: Before Palm Sunday"

Standards

RL.9-10.2RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.5

Writing

Plan to write a scene from Purple Hibiscus from a different character’s perspective.

Purple Hibiscus
Purple Hibiscus Rewritten Scene Prompt and Rubric (G10, U2)
Rewritten Scene Brainstorm Graphic Organizer (G10, U2)

Standards

RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4W.9-10.3

Writing

Write a scene from Purple Hibiscus from a different character’s perspective.

Purple Hibiscus

Standards

W.9-10.3W.9-10.4W.9-10.6

Analyze how Adichie uses motifs, symbolism, and characterization to convey a sense of hope.

Purple Hibiscus pp. 206–229 — "Speaking With Our Spirits: Before Palm Sunday"

Standards

RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4

Analyze how Adichie develops conflicts and foreshadows the events of Palm Sunday.

Purple Hibiscus pp. 229–253 — "Speaking With Our Spirits: Before Palm Sunday"

Standards

RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.5

Analyze the climax of Purple Hibiscus.

Purple Hibiscus pp. 257–291 — "The Pieces of Gods: After Palm Sunday"
Language Sensitivity Analysis Handout (G10, U2, L18)

Standards

RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4RL.9-10.5RL.9-10.6

Analyze how Adichie uses mood and motifs to depict the aftermath of Papa's death.

Purple Hibiscus pp. 295–307 — "A Different Silence: The Present"

Standards

RL.9-10.3RL.9-10.4

Socratic Seminar

Engage in a Socratic seminar about Purple Hibiscus by supporting arguments with strong textual evidence.

Purple Hibiscus

Standards

SL.9-10.1.aSL.9-10.1.bSL.9-10.1.cSL.9-10.1.dSL.9-10.4

Performance Task

Write a strong thesis statement about how a motif develops a theme in Purple Hibiscus.

Purple Hibiscus — full text
Purple Hibiscus Literary Analysis Prompt and Rubric (G10, U2)
Literary Analysis Outline (G10, U2)
Mentor Text: Literary Analysis Sample Response (G10, U2)

Standards

RL.9-10.2SL.9-10.1SL.9-10.6W.9-10.1.aW.9-10.4W.9-10.5

Performance Task

Outline body paragraphs to support your thesis.

Purple Hibiscus — full text
Literary Analysis Outline (G10, U2)
Mentor Text: Literary Analysis Sample Response (G10, U2)

Standards

W.9-10.1.aW.9-10.1.bW.9-10.1.cW.9-10.4W.9-10.5

Performance Task

Write the body paragraphs of the literary analysis essay, using smooth embedding of evidence.

Purple Hibiscus — full text
Purple Hibiscus Literary Analysis Prompt and Rubric (G10, U2)
Literary Analysis Outline (G10, U2) — Completed
Mentor Text: Literary Analysis Sample Response (G10, U2)

Standards

W.9-10.10W.9-10.1.aW.9-10.1.bW.9-10.1.cW.9-10.1.dW.9-10.4W.9-10.5

Performance Task

Write a strong introduction and conclusion for the literary analysis essay.

Purple Hibiscus — full text
Purple Hibiscus Literary Analysis Prompt and Rubric (G10, U2)

Standards

W.9-10.10W.9-10.1.dW.9-10.1.eW.9-10.4W.9-10.5

Performance Task

Provide peer feedback and make revisions to the literary analysis essay.