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Purple Hibiscus Chapter Questions

by Jancke Dunn

These comprehensive, chapter-by-chapter study questions are perfect for GCSE, A-Level, IB, or international curriculum English Literature courses. Covering all 17 chapters of Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, our resource supports student understanding, literary analysis, and critical thinking.

Each set of questions explores key themes such as:

  • Religion and oppression
  • Coming of age
  • Silence and voice
  • Family dynamics
  • Postcolonial identity

Part One: Breaking Gods – Chapters 1–4

Chapter 1

  1. How is Kambili’s home life introduced in the opening chapter?
  2. What do we learn about Papa’s personality and values?
  3. How does Adichie use religious imagery and symbolism?
  4. In what ways does Kambili’s narration reveal the family’s tension?

Chapter 2

  1. Why does Kambili feel pressure to be first in her class?
  2. How does Papa react to Kambili and Jaja’s exam results?
  3. What is significant about the scene where Papa punishes Kambili?
  4. What role does fear play in the children’s relationship with their father?

Chapter 3

  1. Describe the family’s visit to Father Benedict’s church. How is colonial influence shown?
  2. What do we learn about the extended family—Papa-Nnukwu, Aunty Ifeoma?
  3. Why is Papa so strict about his children’s contact with traditional beliefs?

Chapter 4

  1. How does Papa’s generosity in the community contrast with his behavior at home?
  2. What does the scene in the factory office reveal about Papa’s power and status?
  3. How does the domestic violence affect Kambili’s perception of family?

Part Two: Speaking with Our Spirits – Chapters 5–8

Chapter 5

  1. What differences does Kambili notice when she arrives at Aunty Ifeoma’s house?
  2. How does the environment in Nsukka contrast with her home in Enugu?
  3. What role does freedom and conversation play in the Nsukka household?

Chapter 6

  1. Why does Kambili struggle to interact with her cousins?
  2. What does the palm wine scene reveal about Kambili’s emotional repression?
  3. What do you think about Ifeoma’s parenting style compared to Papa’s?

Chapter 7

  1. How does Amaka’s reaction to Kambili’s behavior highlight their cultural differences?
  2. In what ways does Nsukka start to change Kambili?
  3. What is the significance of the pilgrimage to Aokpe?

Chapter 8

  1. How does the conversation with Father Amadi impact Kambili?
  2. What does Papa’s letter reveal about his control even from a distance?
  3. Why is Kambili’s developing sense of voice important here?

Part Three: The Pieces of Gods – Chapters 9–13

Chapter 9

  1. What causes the confrontation between Jaja and Papa upon their return?
  2. Why does Kambili feel torn between loyalty and truth?
  3. How does Papa punish Kambili, and what are the consequences?

Chapter 10

  1. What does Aunty Ifeoma’s visit reveal about her perception of Papa?
  2. Why does Papa fire his driver and gardener? What does this show about his paranoia?
  3. How is Kambili’s trauma affecting her psychologically and physically?

Chapter 11

  1. What effect does Kambili’s injury and hospitalisation have on her character development?
  2. How does Aunty Ifeoma handle the news of what happened to Kambili?
  3. What role does Father Amadi play in Kambili’s emotional recovery?

Chapter 12

  1. What new insights does Kambili gain about her grandfather, Papa-Nnukwu?
  2. How is cultural identity explored through the painting of Papa-Nnukwu?
  3. What changes in Kambili’s behaviour are noticeable during this chapter?

Chapter 13

  1. How does Kambili begin to assert her independence?
  2. What is the significance of her growing feelings for Father Amadi?
  3. What does the chapter suggest about healing and reclaiming voice?

Part Four: A Different Silence – Chapters 14–17

Chapter 14

  1. How does the news of Ifeoma’s suspension reflect the political unrest in Nigeria?
  2. What does the family’s plan to emigrate symbolize?
  3. How do Kambili and Jaja respond to the possibility of Ifeoma leaving?

Chapter 15

  1. What is the final breaking point for Papa’s control?
  2. How does Adichie build suspense in this chapter?
  3. How does the revelation of Mama’s poisoning Papa challenge our understanding of her character?

Chapter 16

  1. Why does Jaja take responsibility for Papa’s death?
  2. How does Kambili react to her mother’s quiet confession?
  3. In what ways does the theme of sacrifice emerge here?

Chapter 17

  1. What changes do we see in Kambili at the end of the novel?
  2. How is hope represented in the final chapter?
  3. How does the ending resolve (or fail to resolve) the central conflicts of the novel?

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