Kambili Achike

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's novel, Purple Hibiscus, offers a diverse group of bewildering characters. Adichie introduces characters of all sorts of dispositions: timid (Kambili), defiant (Jaja), influential (Papa Eugene), reserved (Mama Beatrice), outspoken (Auntie Ifeoma), traditional (Papa-Nnukwu), and several more.

When I first began reading this novel, I started to take a peculiar interest in Auntie Ifeoma, as her forthright mannerisms and her unbounded happiness most intrigued me--she was anything but ordinary from all of the other characters. However, as I progressed further into the book, I noticed my attention slowly shifted away from Auntie Ifeoma and towards Kambili.

Kambili Achike, the narrator and main character of Purple Hibiscus. is a diffident, apprehensive, fifteen-year-old girl. Coming from a family of four, Kambili's family consists of a loving mother named Beatrice, an intimidating father named Eugene, and a protective brother named Jaja. The Achikes' lifestyle is considerably luxurious compared to the majority of Nigerians, as Eugene's prominence and multiple occupations contributes to their affluence.

Eugene's eminence is so pervasive, that it not only prevails in the community, but it also dominates in his home. He expects perfection from his family that whenever they do not meet his standards, a good ol' beating from theirs truly is rewarded. Due to this, his family constantly lives in fear.

Kambili has an odd desire to live under her father's ways. She often thinks about the consequences her father would dish out in response to various actions, whether or not the actions actually occur. She constantly "wonders" about how others are feeling and about what others are thinking, primarily about Jaja and Amaka. Kambili also constantly "wishes" to have been the one to say something first, as well as for certain events not to take place.

At school, Kambili is a social outcast. Due to her family's affluence, many of her classmates view her as a "backyard snob." They all believe she sees herself as their superior, however, she actually views herself in a degrading manner. Kambili often speaks in a low tone, one that is difficult to hear and almost resembles that of a whisper. She doesn't make an effort to talk with her classmates, as she is forced to run to her car as soon as the school day is over. If not, her father will punish her for arriving late.

My curiosity shifted from Auntie Ifeoma to Kambili due to her increasingly observant ways and bizarre thoughts. As the story progressed, I noticed her observational descriptions and haunting thoughts became more and more prevalent. She explains her surroundings in explicit details, for the most part, as she narrates the story. She also includes such strange thinking, such as always wanting to apologize to Amaka for doing nothing and continually comparing her not-so-pleasant luxurious lifestyle to her cousins' tolerable poverty.

As I started to understand more of Kambili, I couldn't help but relate her to the daughter from Bonnie Jo Campbell's short story, The Trespasser. Kambili's classmates and cousins perceive her as this arrogant girl with a perfect life of luxury, while the trespasser, from reading her diary, believes the daughter leads this ideal life free from pain and despair. In addition, both Kambili and the daughter are, in different ways, neglected by their fathers.