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

Lesson 18
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ELA

Unit 2

10th Grade

Lesson 18 of 24

Objective


Analyze how Adichie uses motifs to illustrate Kambili's character development.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie  pp. 257 – 287 — "The Pieces of Gods: After Palm Sunday"

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Target Task


Discussion & Writing Prompt

Think about Kambili's character from the beginning of the novel and her character now. How has she changed? How does Adichie use motifs to illustrate her character development? Consider the motifs of speech/laughter or music/singing. 

Sample Response

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Key Thinking


Close Read Questions

Consider Adichie's descriptions at the beginning of this reading section. How has the mood shifted? What is the significance of the rain and the broken figurines?

How have power dynamics in the Achike householded shifted in this chapter? In what ways do Jaja and Kambili respond to these shifting dynamics differently?

What is the significance of Amaka not wanting to take an English sounding name for her confirmation? What connections do you see between this moment in the novel and your learnings about postcolonial literature? 

Consider the scene when Kambili has a religious experience in Aokpe. What about this religious experience is different from her prior experiences with religion with Papa and Father Benedict?

Vocabulary


Text-based

pacify

v.

(p. 267)

to cause someone who is angry or upset ro be calm and satisfied

rebuked

v.

(p. 286)

expressed sharp disapproval or criticism of someone because of their behaviors or actions

Homework


  • Book: Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie  pp. 288 – 307

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • How does Jaja react when Kambili says "God knows best…God works in mysterious ways" (289)?

  • What caused Papa's death? How does Kambili react when she learns this? What does Jaja do when the police come to the house?

  • How is Mama different after Papa's death?

  • What are the things that Kambili and Mama do not talk about?

  • What are the Nigerian prison conditions like?

  • What are some things Aunty Ifeoma and Amaka write about in their letters?

  • Why does Kambili carry around Father Amadi's letters?

  • What does Kambili observe about Jaja on page 305? How has he changed?

Annotation Focus

Divide the class into three sections to trace the following three motifs in this final reading: laugher, music, and purple hibiscus/gardening. Tell students to quote the moments where they see their assigned motif in their motif tracker with page numbers, and to write what they think is the significance of their motif in this final reading.

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Standards


  • 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.
  • RL.9-10.4 — Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone (e.g., how the language evokes a sense of time and place; how it sets a formal or informal tone).
  • RL.9-10.6 — Analyze a particular point of view or cultural experience reflected in a work of literature from outside the United States, drawing on a wide reading of world literature.

Supporting Standards

L.9-10.1
L.9-10.6
RL.9-10.1
RL.9-10.2
RL.9-10.5
SL.9-10.1
SL.9-10.6
W.9-10.9
W.9-10.10

Next

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

Lesson 19
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