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

Lesson 6
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ELA

Unit 2

10th Grade

Lesson 6 of 24

Objective


Analyze how Adichie develops the reader's understanding about the dichotomy between European culture and Igbo culture in Nigeria.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie  pp. 52 – 70 — "Speaking With Our Spirits: Before Palm Sunday"

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Target Task


Discussion & Writing Prompt

Describe Papa's attitude toward Igbo culture. How does his attitude impact his and his children's relationship with his father, Papa-Nnukwu? Why does he have this attitude? Use at least one of the text-based vocabulary words in your response.

Sample Response

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Key Thinking


Close Read Questions

What details does Adichie include to paint a picture of class divide in Abba? What is Papa's relationship with the community in Abba?

After remarking on how quiet Jaja and Kambili are, Ade Coker says, "Imagine what the Standard would be like if we were all quiet" (58). What irony is he pointing out?

How does Adichie characterize Papa-Nnukwu? How does she contrast Papa-Nnukwu with Jaja and Kambili's maternal grandfather, and why is this significant?

Vocabulary


Text-based

heathen

n.

(p. 62)

an offensive term to describe a person who does not practice Christianity, Judaism, or Islam

decree

v.

(p. 63)

to order or command

desecrate

v.

(p. 69)

to damage or show no respect toward something holy or very much respected

Homework


  • Book: Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie  pp. 71 – 88

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • What details does Adichie use to describe Aunty Ifeoma on page 71?

  • What does Aunty Ifeoma say to Mama about marriage? 

  • Why are people leaving Nigeria?

  • How does Aunty Ifeoma speak to Papa?

  • What details does Adichie use to describe Amaka on page 78?

  • What does Kambili call Papa-Nnukwu? What does Aunty Ifeoma say back to her?

  • What does Papa-Nnukwu say about the missionaries?

  • What did Papa say about mmuo stories?

Annotation Focus

Note moments in the reading in which you see laughter. Quote a few of these moments with page numbers in your motif tracker in the row "Speech/Laughter." Explain to students that they are not required to write about the motif's significance yet, though they may add to that column if they have initial ideas. 

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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.

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 uses foils and imagery when introducing Aunty Ifeoma and her children.

Lesson 7
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Lesson Map

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