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

Lesson 13
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ELA

Unit 2

10th Grade

Lesson 13 of 24

Objective


Analyze how Adichie develops themes about corruption and defiance.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie  pp. 140 – 161 — "Speaking With Our Spirits: Before Palm Sunday"

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Target Task


Discussion & Writing Prompt

What themes about corruption or defiance does Adichie develop in this chapter? 

Sample Response

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Key Thinking


Close Read Questions

What changes does Kambili notice in Jaja in this chapter? What do you think is the significance of these changes?

At dinner Obiora remarks, "Morality, as well as the sense of taste, is relative" (156). Would Papa agree with this statement? Why or why not? In what ways is Papa's approach to morality different from Aunty Ifeoma's approach?

How has government corruption impacted the livelihood of the residents of Nsukka? In what ways is the parable of the tortoise a story about corruption, and how does it relate to the political events in Nigeria?

Vocabulary


Text-based

engrossed

adj.

(p. 142)

having one's attention absorbed by someone or something

defiant

adj.

(p. 144)

showing a disposition to challenge, resist, or fight

Homework


  • Book: Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie  pp. 162 – 182

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • What does Kambili desire as she observes how Amaka and Papa-Nnukwu speak to each other?

  • What does Aunty Ifeoma say when Kambili questions why "Our Lady [would] intercede on behalf of a heathen" (166)?

  • What surprises Kambili as she observes Papa-Nnukwu praying?

  • How does Amaka react when Kambili talks back to her?

  • What does Papa-Nnukwu say when he hears Father Amadi will be leaving soon on a missionary trip? What does Obiora say?

  • How does Kambili react around Father Amadi?

  • Why does Papa call Aunty Ifeoma's house?

Annotation Focus

Note moments in the reading where you see references to prayer/praying. Quote one or two of these moments with page numbers in your motif tracker in the row "Prayer/Praying." Students are not required to write about the motif's developing significance yet, though they may add to that column if they have initial ideas. 

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Standards


  • RL.9-10.2 — Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.
  • RL.9-10.3 — Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme.

Supporting Standards

L.9-10.1
L.9-10.6
RL.9-10.1
RL.9-10.4
RL.9-10.6
SL.9-10.1
SL.9-10.6
W.9-10.9
W.9-10.10

Next

Analyze Kambili's changing views about religion.

Lesson 14
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