Purple Hibiscus Vocab - English

Purple Hibiscus Test 1 Vocab

Intertextuality (n.)

the relationship between texts, especially literary ones.

- In both Macbeth and Hamlet, a ghost helps to advance the plot. Comparing and contrasting them is a form of _____________.

dialect (n.)

a form of language specific to a particular group or region.

- The British English _________ uses innit, bruv, and mate.

pagan (n.)

a person holding religious beliefs outside the majority.

- If you are Catholic and go to an Islamic country you are ___________.

traditionalist (n.)

someone who retains or promotes traditional belief (culture, religion, etc.)

- If you believed all Catholic masses should be in Latin, you are a _______________.

in medias res (n.)

Latin for "in the midst of things;" practice of starting a story with a crucial situation which will be developed throughout the story.

oblate (n.)

layperson dedicated to God's service

- The spiritual life department is made up of __________.

étagère (n.)

piece of furniture with open shelves for displaying ornaments.

- My bedroom has a _________ filled with Star Wars collectables

hibiscus (n.)

a flowering plant that comes in a variety of colors

unction (n.)

the action of anointing someone with oil or ointment as a religious rite.

- Father Benedict gave ________ to the new house in order to bless its use for the family.

solemnity (n.)

the state or quality of being serious and dignified.

- His body was laid to rest with great __________.

coup (n.)

a sudden, violet, and unlawful seizure of power from a government.

- The president was overthrown in a military __________.

irony (n.)

a state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often amusing as a result; 3 types.

- It was ________ when the fire truck caught fire.

situational irony (n.)

when one expects one thing to happen and the opposite or unexpected happens instead

verbal irony (n.)

the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite; similar to sarcasm.

dramatic irony (n.)

a literary technique in which the audience understands the significance of a character's words or actions, but they remain unknown to the character(s)

- In The Lion King, the audience knows Scar killed Mufasa, but Simba does not know and believes he is the cause of his father's death.

harmattan (n.)

a very, dusty easterly or northeasterly wind on the west African coast, occurring Dec-Feb.

- Here allergies were aggravated by __________ season.

heathen (n.)

a person who does not belong to a widely held religion (esp. not Jewish, Christian or Muslim)

- "You __________" I joked when my friend skipped mass.

flippant (adj.)

not showing a serious or respectful attitude.

- John made a ___________ remark at his friend.

presumptuous (adj.)

failing to observe the limits of what is permitted or appropriate. Overconfident, arrogant.

- It was ______________ of Jane to borrow Dan's car without asking him

placid (adj.)

not easily upset or excited; calm

- Bob was _______ during the raging storm.

discernment (n.)

the ability to judge well.

- The Judge showed a lack of _____________ when ruling the case.

rueful (adj.)

causing sorrow or pity; pitiable; deplorable

- She gave a ________ smile after realizing I was right.

culturally conscious

being mentally conscious or aware of people, relating to various culture.

Kambili

protagonist and narrator, lives in fear of retribution from her Father, always trying to please Papa; very smart.

microcosm

a community, place, or situation regarded as encapsulating in miniature the characteristic qualities or features of something much larger. A small version of a large group.

• The Achike house is a __________ of Nigeria.

Jaja

Kambili’s brother, spent his life following rules, in beginning of book he defies father.

Papa (Eugene)

Father of Kambili and Jaja, very wealthy and devout Catholic, demands success and is abusive to his family, but on the outside looks like the ideal Christian.

Mama (Beatrice)

Mother of Kambili and Jaja, kind and loving towards children, quiet and tolerates domestic violence from her husband.

Papa-Nnukwu

Papa’s father and Kambili’s grandfather, refuses to convert to Christianity and therefore is not liked by his son, great storyteller

Aunty Ifeoma

Papa’s sister and mother of Amaka, Obiora, and Chima, university professor and widow. Poor, but has a positive attitude and is confident.

Amaka

Aunty Ifeoma’s oldest child and Kambili’s cousin, outspoken and challenges Kambili to find her own voice, allowed to be free and do things she likes, expresses herself.

Obiora

Ifeoma’s middle child and Kambili’s cousin. Tries to be the man of the house/leader for their family in absence of their dead father.

Chima

Ifeoma’s youngest child and Kambili’s cousin, curious and sensitive.

Father Benedict

A white priest at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Enugu, Nigeria. Close to Papa and praises him often, insists in use of European traditions over Nigerian.

Father Amadi

Friend of Aunty Ifeoma’s family and clergyman at their church. Loyal to Catholic religion and has good humor when challenged on religious issues

Ade Coker

A father and husband, Papa’s editor at the Standard. Brave and dares to stand up to government, even after being arrested and tortured.

Nigeria

Setting of book, place with constant government change, currently military government, previously democratic after British rule.

Enugu

Where Kambili, Jaja, Eugene and Beatrice live. The community where their church and house are.

Nsukka

Town where Aunty Ifeoma lives.

Abba

Place that is poverty stricken, but contains beautiful mansions that are only inhabited sometimes, Kambili’s family has a vacation house here. Divide between poor and wealthy is obvious here.

juxtaposition

the act or an instance of placing two or more things side by side often to compare or contrast or to create an interesting effect.

• Despite the confusion of this collocation of viewpoints, one point emerges clearly from the _______________.

timbre (n.)

the character or quality of a musical sound or voice as distinct from its pitch and intensity.

recuperation (n.)

recovery from illness or exertion

• I finally _________ after a week of sickness.

visa (n.)

an endorsement on a passport indicating that the holder is allowed to enter, leave, or stay for a specified period of time in a country.

• Juan secured his work _______.

agitating (v.)

campaign to arouse public concern about an issue in the hope of prompting action.

• they _________ for a reversal of the decision

commiserate (

to feel or express sorrow or sympathy

• she went over to ________ with Rose on her unfortunate circumstances

interim (adj.)

temporary, provisional, or intervening

• During the War, I had an ________ teacher.