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

Lesson 8
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ELA

Unit 2

10th Grade

Lesson 8 of 24

Objective


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

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie  pp. 52 – 88 — "Speaking With Our Spirits: Before Palm Sunday"

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Target Task


Discussion & Writing Prompt

Apply the postcolonial concerns and characteristics to Purple Hibiscus in the Postcolonial Literature Graphic Organizer. Complete at least one box for "concerns" and one box for "characteristics" using paraphrased or quoted evidence from Purple Hibiscus. Write brief notes next to your evidence to explain how it aligns with a postcolonial literature concern or characteristic.

Sample Response

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Key Thinking


Close Read Questions

What does the speaker's mother worry about? What connections do you see between the mother's advice in the poem and Papa's character in Purple Hibiscus? Has he followed her advice?

What metaphors do you notice in the poem? What criticisms of the United States does Diaz make through these metaphors?

Look back at your T chart notes about postcolonial literature. Which concerns and characteristics of postcolonial literature do you see in Diaz's poem, and how so?

Vocabulary


Literary Terms

allusion

an indirect (implied) reference to something/someone from literature, history, or culture.

postcolonial literature

a body of literature written by authors with roots in countries that were once colonies of European nations. 

metaphor

the comparison of two unlike things in order to provide the reader with a deeper understanding of one of those things

Homework


  • Book: Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie  pp. 89 – 109

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • How does Amaka treat Kambili when she speaks to her? What does Kambili wish for?

  • Why did Kambili not kiss the ring of the bishop at Akwa? How did Papa react?

  • Why won't Aunty Ifeoma ask Papa for gas cylinders?

  • According to Aunty Ifeoma, who is doing God's job and how so? 

  • How does Kambili react to Amaka speaking at the dinner table?

  • What does Mama do when Kambili tells her she has cramps? How does Papa react?

  • What happens when Kambili makes confession to Father Benedict? What does Father Benedict tell her about the mmuo?

  • Where are Kambili and Jaja going at the end of this reading? What do they see as they drive away?

Annotation Focus

Note moments in the reading where you see red images and prayer. Add quotes to your motif tracker for the rows "Red" and "Prayer/Praying."

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Standards


  • 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.9-10.5
L.9-10.6
RL.9-10.1
RL.9-10.2
RL.9-10.3
SL.9-10.1
SL.9-10.6
W.9-10.9
W.9-10.10

Next

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

Lesson 9
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