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

Lesson 3
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ELA

Unit 2

10th Grade

Lesson 3 of 24

Objective


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

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie  — pp. 1 – 16, "Breaking Gods: Palm Sunday" and pp. 19–26, "Speaking With Our Spirits: Before Palm Sunday"

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Target Task


Discussion & Writing Prompt

Describe the family dynamics in the Achike household. What similarities and differences do you see between the family dynamics in the first section of the novel, "Breaking Gods: Palm Sunday," pp. 1–17, and the beginning of the second section of the novel, "Speaking with Our Spirits: Before Palm Sunday," pp. 18–26? 

Sample Response

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Key Thinking


Close Read Questions

What changes did Father Benedict make to the parish? What does this reveal about the impact of British colonialism in Nigeria?

How does Adichie characterize Papa? How does his public persona differ from his private persona?

How does Adichie structure the opening of the novel and what is the effect of that choice on the reader?

Vocabulary


Literary Terms

characterization

The process by which the writer reveals the personality and traits of a character

structure

The way text is organized

Text-based

solemnity

n.

(p. 4)

the state or quality of being serious and dignified

recounted

v.

(pp. 20 - 21)

To describe or narrate a past event or experience

coup

n.

(p. 5)

The violent overthrow or alteration of an existing government by a small group

Homework


  • Book: Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie  pp. 27 – 51

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • How does Papa react to the young visiting priest?

  • What happens when Mama requests to stay in the car because she is feeling sick?

  • What does Papa do to Mama? What happens to the baby as a result?

  • Why was Ade Coker arrested?

  • What are the soldiers like at the markets? Who does Kambili continue to think about after her visit to the markets?

  • How does Papa react when he finds out Kambili came in second in her class?

  • How does Papa speak about his own father?

  • What happens when Kambili is asked to say the pledge?

  • Why does Kambili's classmate Chinwe call her a "backyard snob"?

Notes for Teachers

The homework reading includes descriptions of physical abuse that results in pregnancy loss. Be mindful of how this content might impact students.

Annotation Focus

Note moments in the reading in which you see the word "red" or a red image. Additionally, note moments when you see the word "silence" or when you see a character unable to speak. 

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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.9-10.5 — Analyze how an author's choices concerning how to structure a text, order events within it (e.g., parallel plots), and manipulate time (e.g., pacing, flashbacks) create such effects as mystery, tension, or surprise.

Supporting Standards

L.9-10.1
L.9-10.6
RL.9-10.1
RL.9-10.2
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 how Adichie develops the motifs of silence and speech through certain key scenes in the novel.

Lesson 4
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