Cultural Hybridity in Adichie’s Purple Hibiscus
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Faculty of English
Abstract
Purple Hibiscusdis covers the breakdown of the family authenticity with cultural
hybridity under the influence of Christian religion in postcolonial Nigeria.It further exposes the
two cultural extremes of traditional Igbo culture and of Western Christian culture in the
post independent scene of the 1990s.For example, Papa Nnukwu celebrates Igbo tradition,while
Eugene follows Christiantenetblindly. The novel criticizes the Eurocentric and exclusive
Catholicism of previous generations,and demands respect for Igbo spirituality. No attempt is
made to recover traditional religion in everyday life or to acculturate Catholicism in religious
practices that are never essential to the majority of people.Kambili and Jaja, the main characters,
are in repression by the irown father in their home due to the religious dispute.The other
characters like Ifoma,father Amadi,Kambili and Jajaadmire own Igboculture while acceptingit
with Christian culture.They together strengthen their culture and find their identity infusion.
Purple Hibiscusis a complex tale of Kambili, a young girl growing up in Nigeria, in
between the old“pagan”ways and her Catholic upbringing. Her life is structured and ruled by
her strict Catholic father.However,a trip to visit her Auntie in another town shows her another
way of living. Kambili has trouble accepting this alternative lifestyle and feels torn between the
two. With the help of her brother, auntie, cousins, and a priest, she begins to see other ways of
thinking and acting than her father expects.