AFRICAN PROSE
ADICHIE CHIMAMANDA NGOZI: Purple Hibiscus
Compare Aunt Ifeoma and her brother’s relationship with their children.
Explanation
Eugene and Aunt Ifeoma love their children dearly but they will not permit their children to step out of line. When it comes to punishment, Eugene and Aunt Ifeoma punish firmly and promptly any infraction of their children. Whereas lfeoma is humane and restrained, Eugene is harsh and unreasonable. Throughout the novel, Aunt lfeoma is not seen punishing her children much. According to Amaka’s account of punishment to Kambili, each time Aunt lfeoma punishes them she explains the reason for the punishment. Amaka confesses in her usual, frank manner that she prefers her punishment not be linked with any attempt of justification. Aunt lfeoma is seen constantly guiding her erring children with physical punishment.
On one occasion, however, she does what she must do. Her eldest son, present during a conversation with her friend rudely shows his disagreement with her by cutting into their conservation. His mother promptly orders him to shut up and to go upstairs immediately. She apologises to her friend and, after her friend has left, she follows the youth upstairs, slaps and gives him a thrashing. She tells him that she will not tolerate insolence. She is not opposed to her son disagreeing with her friend. It is his manner of approach that she punishes. Eugene, on the other hand, goes to the extreme and does not weigh his punishment with the gravity of the offence. Scalding the children’s feet deliberately for living with their ‘heathen’ grandfather without informing him is no way to punish a child. Again, when Kambili attempts to collect the pieces of her grandfather’s torn painting she is beaten mercilessly and ends up in hospital. He explains to the children that the punishment is for their own good. It seems Eugene like Aunt lfeoma does not hate his children. Their behaviour to their children is very different.
In other respects Eugene’s home is opulent; he provides his children with all the comfort which he can give. Aunt Ifeoma’s children live ordinary lives. However, the atmosphere of Eugene’s home is stifling and life-denying while Aunt Ifeoma’s home is warm and accommodating. Eugene’s children have a strict schedule on how to conduct themselves. There is a strict limit to their liberty. In Aunt Ifeoma’s home, however, the children are allowed to grow up as children and play without restriction to their freedom.