Impacts of silent abuse in Purple Hibiscus
Oppression, abuse, and silence is something known by many individuals. In the novel
Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the ending is with freedom of tyranny. Eugene’s
misuse of power and his abuse results in Kambili and Jaja having a close relationship from the
traumatic impact of domestic violence.
Kambili and Jaja live in a quiet and strict household where everything orbits around
impressing Eugene. All things that Eugene demands are always done without a thought
because if not, his family will pay a consequence. Eugene is very different outside of his home
and he expects his children to be different as well. When Ade Coker remarks to Eugene how
quiet Jaja and Kambili are, Eugene replies, “‘They are not like those loud children people are
raising these days, with no home training and no fear of God,’” (Adichie, 57-58). Ade Coker
jokes about Kambili and Jaja being quiet because, in politics, speech is seen to be a very
important thing, but Eugene does not accept Kambili and Jaja speaking about their perspective.
Eugene's oppression towards his children is shown when they silently go upstairs. In addition to
living in a strict and abusive household, Kambili and Jaja speak about the bare minimum, “We
did that often, asking each other questions whose answers we already knew. Perhaps it was so
that we would not ask the other questions, the ones whose answers we did not want to know.”
(Adichie, ). Although Kambili and Jaja are very close, they do not discuss the topic of their
abuse. They fear the answers of the questions they do not ask one another. Lastly, Kambili
always tries her best to receive the love and approval she is missing from her father. She
always looks for opportunities to say something she knows her father would smile about.
Kambili looks past the abuse to see who her father really is, a man that helps his community,
and a devoted catholic. When gathered around the newspaper, Jaja corrected Eugene and
Kambili notes "Papa smiled, and I wish I had said that before Jaja had." (Adichie, 25 ).
Eugene expects Kambili and Jaja to say the right things, when Jaja or Kambili do say the
right thing they get treated well. Kambili is determined to impress her father so she always
regrets not saying things faster.
The family’s fear of Eugene grows to the point where they defend themselves. The novel
is heavily impacted by the oppression of British colonies taking over the nation. Eugene is seen
as a product of Nigerian colonialism, the corruption of Nigeria is similar to the corruption in the
Achikie family. Eugene uses the fear of god against his family. He denies his family’s right to
humanity and freedom. Even though there were set rules and regulations for the nation many
people retaliated, exactly how Beatrice retaliated against [Link] Beatrice confesses to
the murder of Eugene, Kambili yells, “ ‘Why did you put it in his tea?’ I asked Mama, rising. My
voice was loud. I was almost screaming. ‘Why in his tea?’ ”(Adichie, 290). Beatrice knew that
Eugene wouldn't share his tea with his children as a sign that they are not worthy anymore, he
believes they have sinned multiple times and do not deserve the tea. In this case he is
unintentionally protecting his children. The reason Kambili gets so upset is that she understands
that Beatrice put it in his tea because he wouldn't give her love sips anymore. Therefore, it
means that Eugene was disappointed in her and thought she didn't deserve it. This affects
Kambili greatly, causing her to lash out because all she ever wanted, and all she still wants, is
her father's approval and love. Furthermore, Eugene's act of violence ultimately leads to him
paying his own consequence. Eugene's misuse of power is steered by his fear of god, he
believes his beatings remove the sins that his family has created however, he is killed for his
consistent sins over the years. Eugene is the dictator of his family, if anyone in his family
displays any kind of act of freedom he responds with an act of physical abuse. Papa cries to
Kambili: “‘That is what you do to yourself when you walk into sin. You burn your feet,” he said.”
(Adichie, 210 ). After kambili and jaja arrived from Aunty Ifeoma's home they were greeted with
their father boiling their feet. Eugene boiled kambili’s feet because she walked in a place full of
sin.
As a result, Beatrice, Kambili, and Jaja are free from the domestic abuse of Eugene however
not everyone seems to be happy. Eugene kept his family in a place of secrecy and silence, but
after his death conditions changed and there was a different kind of silence. A silence of Jaja’s
imprisonment and Beatrice losing her sanity over her husband's death. Kambili, however, has
become more free, the “silence hangs over us, but… a different kind of silence, one that lets me
breathe.”(Adichie, 306). After Eugene’s death there is still silence, but this silence is not based
on fear, this silence is not the consistent worry of being punished. Even though the past traumas
will never fully be forgotten or recovered the pain will minimize so that breathing and laughter
will be done freely. This is an opportunity of new beginnings.
Eugene's misuse of control and abuse result in Kambili and Jaja having a close
association with the painful impact of domestic violence.
Eugene's misuse of control and abuse result in Kambili and Jaja having a close
connection with devastating effects of domestic violence.
The family's fear of Eugene is growing to the point where they protect themselves.
