Is the trip to Nsukka therapeutic or what?

The visit to auntie Ifeoma’s is not only therapeutic; it is also an eye opener, for

Jaja and his sister Kambili. It is most therapeutic for Kambili who lives in her own small

world of fear and misery to see how much laughter, freedom and joy other children

experience in their homes even though they are poor. They come to a quick realization

that money is not everything. It is true that with money you derive material satisfaction,

but not of the soul. Happiness is not something money can buy. Money has limitations in

its power obviously, it cannot buy health, peace love, true friendship about all, it can not

buy happiness, if it can, Papa will have plenty of bliss and it will radiate so much so

even his most remote relatives will feel the impact. I bet you, they know that papa would

have bought for everyone in his immediate family some happiness, because he loves

them and want them to be perfect unblemished beings before men and God. Unfortunate,

what you do not have you cannot give. He totally lacks a sense of humor, togetherness,

unity, affection, can not compromise for anything not even at his father death, he bluntly

refuses to be a part of the burial just because he is not a Christian. He is stiff neck and

has know clue of what Christianity is all about.

For the first time in Purple Hibiscus Kimbili and Jaja are actively involved in

outdoor activities, play football, gardening and chasing after others, all sought of fun

things that children normally do and enjoy. Also, they have the opportunity to stay in the same house with Papa- Nnukwu their grandfather who told them tales of old and jokes that they makes the laugh. Although the stay together is brief, they see how funny, playful and kind their Papa-Nukwu is. That he even includes his son Eugene who calls him a pagan and has forsaking him in his prayers is remarkable. He impart Kembili and Jaja in a positive way. As for Kembili, after spending the afternoon with Father Amadi, Kimbili actually declares “I had smiled, run, laugh. My chest was filled with something like bath foam. Light. The lightless was so sweet I tasted it on my tongue, the sweetness of an overripe bright yellow cashew fruit” (Page 180). She was able to hold a conversation with Father Amadi and she is happy about it.

The experience in Nsukka was the beginning of a new dawn for these two. A seed is planted awaiting germination in due cause.

Looking for approval in Purple Hibiscus

In Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Aidchie One of the main things I find problematic about Kambili is that she constantly looks for approval from her father. She seems to back track in her thoughts alot as well and on several occasions she can be seen saying "I wish I had thought to say that before" When she comes second she has a bit of a physical breakdown, this to me demonstrates the amounts of pressure she experiences in her home. It is interesting that her grandfather is "godless" but was still able to find a way to somehow educate her father. The imagery of her fathers room is also interesting because while there is so much white in his room, it seems safe but also smothering and overwhelming.
I feel that her looking for approval from her father is more about trying to get back to her place of safety and regain the same relationship she once had with her father. I also feel like the way that his room is fashioned can be compared to his extremest views about religion. Everything is white and according to Kambili "all that cream blended and made the room seem wider, as if it never ended, as if you could not run if you wanted to because there was nowhere to run to."(pg 41) In contrast to her wanting to please her father there is also the element of extreme acts of violence, I feel as though these represent the idea of extreme punishments in contrast with religious views. Eugene wants his children to do well and to be perfect, however because they are just human beings. Human beings are subject to failure as they are subject to sin. When momma says "Thank God Ade is safe" and Papa says that he had cigarettes put out on his back, I feel this also returns us to the idea of physical punishment in order to elavate the soul. This was an extrimest view christians heild during the crusades.