27th Annual Student Research Conference
Papa Knows Best: An Analysis of Religion in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Purple Hibiscus
Samantha N. Bennett
Dr. Hena Ahmad, Faculty Mentor
In her novel, Purple Hibiscus, Adichie juxtaposes two religions, Catholicism and Igbo, through the father-son relationship of Eugene and Papa-Nnukwu. Eugene, Papa, is a very prominent figure in Enugu. He is praised by many church officials because he generously donates to both his parish and his children's schools. Behind closed doors, however, Papa is a strict authoritarian whose strict devotion to Catholicism often overshadows his paternal love. Papa-Nnukwu is a profoundly religious man whose faith is Igbo and whose followers are often referred to as traditionalists. Because of the stark differences between these two religions, Eugene often refers to his father, and all other traditionalists, as heathens and this causes a tear in the family. This paper will analyze the ways in which Adichie juxtaposes Igbo and Christian faiths and how they impact the Achike family.
Keywords: Purple Hibiscus, English, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Igbo
Topic(s):English
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 308-2
Location: VH 1320
Time: 1:15