purple hibiscus quotes on aunty ifeoma and her houses

aunty ifeoma's household key ideas

animated and harmonious environment, fragulity and poverty, open-minded

animated and harmonious environment quotes

“laughter floated”
“raised, melodious voice”
“aunty Ifeoma and her family prayed for, of all things, laughter”
“I felt I could reach out and touch it.”

“laughter floated”

context: During dinner at Aunty Ifeoma’s house, the family bantered and …

analysis:

- motif of laughter → the exuberant and joyous dynamic of the household
- metaphor “floated” → the children's expressiveness → convey their authentic emotions without any hesitation or restraint
- Kambili is astounded by the carefree demeanour of her cousins → contrasts to solemn atmosphere in Papa’s household

“raised, melodious voice”

context: When the family doing the rosary, Amaka starts singing in a …

analysis:

- auditory imagery → suggests empowerment
- Aunty Ifeoma’s homelife → encourage them to be comfortable with voicing their opinions
- “melodious” → inviting and celebrated
- speak and sing with confidence
- contrasts to the submissiveness and reserved nature of Kambili
- unlike stern environment in Papa’s house

“aunty Ifeoma and her family prayed for, of all things, laughter”

context: When saying the morning prayers, Kambili finds it shocking that …

analysis:

- motif of laughter → Kambili’s growth throughout her stay
- Aunt Ifeoma’s affectionate household → laughter is a very important part
- even through asperity and hardship, the frolicsome element of the family is intangible
- unlike Papa’s apathetic household

“I felt I could reach out and touch it.”

context: Kambili notes that the ceiling is really low compared to home, claiming that …

analysis:

- internal monologue → houses an affectionate and close-knit family, with realistic expectations for the children
- “touch” → physical intimacy and a close relationship → Kambili craves from Papa, but does not receive
- touch Aunty Ifeoma’s ceiling → shows how Aunt Ifeoma’s household is a warm and welcoming place
- draws a comparison to Papa’s ceiling → his unrealistically high standards and his authority over the children
- Aunt Ifeoma’s household is not harsh, but nurturing

fragulity and poverty quotes

“tall, bland building”
“water groaned like a man in pain”
“wondered what it felt like to do that”
“the safety of her room”

“tall, bland building”

context: Upon Kambili and Jaja’s arrival, Aunty Ifeoma’s home is depicted as a ….

analysis:

- visual imagery → plain and nondescript Aunty Ifeoma's flat
- looks can be deceiving → the flat itself is cramped and shabby but juxtaposes the warmth and happiness inside its walls
- "bland" connotes simplicity
- contrasts to the wealthy Achik Me mansion but filled with cruelty and hostility
- Aunty Ifeoma managed to fill up every nook and cranny with undisputed love and care

“water groaned like a man in pain”

context: As it was Kambili’s turn to shower at Aunt Ifeoma’s place, she noticed that the…

analysis:

- auditory imagery → unaffluent providence
- tub is rusty and antiquated → a sense of decay and fester → water shortage
- cannot afford another bathtub

“wondered what it felt like to do that”

context: As Kambili watches Amaka bargain with the trader, she …

analysis:

- internal monologue → stark disparity between the rich and the poor
- everyday struggles against poverty
- contrasting to lavish lifestyles of the rich (Papa)
- Amaka is portrayed to be an adept negotiator → she does this on regular basis
- affluent Achike household does not need to bargain as of their sufficient daily neccessities
- Kambili → detatched from society

“the safety of her room”

context: As Aunt ifeoma finishes dissolving dried milk, she quickly takes the dried milk back to…

analysis:

- metaphor
- “safety” → dried milk is a prized and desired item
- scarcity of staple foods
- lack of basic daily needs → the plight of poverty as unbearable and dire

open-minded quotes

“the air was free for you to breathe as you wished”
“uplifting Igbo songs”
"string of short prayers punctuated by songs”

“the air was free for you to breathe as you wished”

context: Aunty Ifeoma’s children can say anything on the dining table …

analysis:

- symbolises autonomy
- free to express themselves like they were free to breathe
- air is supposed to be free but Kambili does not enjoy that freedom in Papa’s household
- accustomed to Papa’s authoritarian control
- Aunty Ifeoma’s children can vocalise their thoughts → Kambili suppressed, muted

“uplifting Igbo songs”

context: Kambili Aunty Ifeoma’s family broke into … in the middle of the rosary

analysis:

- Aunt ifeoma embraces both the Igbo culture, but also Catholicism
- Aunty Ifeoma’s family unafraid to vocalize their thoughts → joy from self expression
- open-minded and accepting to different cultures
- Kambili thinks that you can not break into song in the middle of the rosary → contrasts to Papa’s strict catholic beliefs

“string of short prayers punctuated by songs”

context: The family said … in the morning

analysis:

- sibilance → rhythm and openess to different cultures
- casually mixes Catholicism and Igbo culture together
- unprejudiced of different cultures
- incorporating enjoyable hobbies such as singing into actions that are typically considered formal such as praying
- Kambili unfamiliar with this concept as singing while praying is disregarded in Papa’s household