Key Plot Summaries

Pages 1 -16

Papa's attitude to religion is introduced as is the theme of how European traditions have dominated religion in Nigeria.

The conflict between Papa and Jaja introduces tension that will run through the novel.

The hibiscuses are introduced. We pay attention to them because of the title of the novel and because of Kambili's comment that they have 'undertones of freedom'. They are clearly symbolic.

The domestic violence (that is an often horrifying thread that runs through the novel) is first described here in a relatively indirect way.

Pages 19 - 26

Mama tells Kambili that she is pregnant. She is grateful to Papa for not having children with other women after all the miscarriages that she has had. It is clear that society condones or even expects this from a man.

Kambili and Jaja are kept on a strict schedule that their father has drawn up for them.

Jaja's first response when he hears that his mother is pregnant is that the baby will need protecting from Papa.

There is news of a new military coup. Papa's political leanings are revealed in his condemnation of coups and his comment that democracy is needed in Nigeria.

Pages 27 - 36

There are protestors calling for political freedom. There are hints that the military is responding harshly to these demonstrators. There have also been public executions of drug traffickers.

Mama asks to not visit Father Benedict after Mass one day because she is feeling sick. Papa is enraged but the full extent of his fury is not revealed until he is alone with Mama later that day. The result of Papa's actions is that Mama is taken bleeding and seemingly unconscious to hospital.

When she returns home, Mama tells Kambili that she has miscarried and she begins cleaning her figurines.

Papa makes the family start an even more devout set of prayers to ask for Mama's forgiveness.

Pages 37 - 51

Ade Coker has been arrested for exposing the Head of State in the Standard. The lack of press freedom and absence of general freedom of speech is highlighted here.

Kambili's shame at coming second in class is mixed with fear of her father's reaction. She desperately wants to avoid disappointing him. It seems that the only reason she is not physically punished is because Papa is distracted by Ade Coker's case. He has been tortured before being released and the decision is made to publish the Standard underground now.

The wealth divide in Nigeria is depicted in the description of the streets and market when Mama takes Kambili and Jaja to buy new school shoes and bags. The military's brutality is also exposed in this trip. The emphasis on the economic gap continues in Adichie's description of Kambili's drive to school.

Papa accompanies Kambili to school so that he can see the girl who came first in class and give Kambili a lecture about why education is important. He uses his own experiences as a child to illustrate his points. 

Kambili's social awkwardness amongst her peers is described. 

Pages 52 - 70

Kambili comes first in class even though the trauma of her mother's miscarriage still haunts her.

Kambili's family makes their annual trip to spend a few weeks in the rural village of Abba. They have a mansion in Abba but most of the local people live in huts. The villagers make full use of the family's generosity while they are there.

The visit from Ade Coker allows Adichie to present him as kind, gentle man who loves his family. He comments on Jaja and Kambili's unnatural silence.

The conflict between Papa and his own father, Papa-Nnukwu, is explained and the effect of this on the children's relationship with their grandfather is described

Pages 71 - 88

Kambili's aunt Ifeoma and her cousins, Amaka, Obiora and Chima, come to visit.

Ifeoma shares her views on marriage, education and wealth and how the three are often entangled. The effect of politics on university life as well as access to basic commodities is shown.

Breaking many of Papa's rules, Ifeoma takes the children and Papa-Nnukwu to see festival celebrations (the mmuo). By describing how these traditional celebrations and rituals work, Adichie is showing us another belief system. Is she saying it is superior to Christianity (Catholicism in this novel)?

Pages 89 - 109 

A more mercenary side of church as well as the community's admiration of wealth is described in this section. Even Kambili's cousins are in some awe of the material trappings of the house.

The Igwe's visit reveals another side of Nigerian culture and hierarchy.

Ifeoma and Mama's attitude to Papa is very different but they have a closeness that neither woman has with Papa.

Ifeoma is critical of Papa's judgement of their father.

The appearance of the Virgin Mary in Aokpe (based on an event outside of the novel) is referred to - Ifeoma wants to take all the children on a pilgrimage. If you are interested in knowing more about this appearance, here is an interview with the person who claims to have seen her:

Kambili suffers from menstrual cramps and needs to take a painkiller (with some food) for these. She has broken the fast that is deemed necessary by the church. Papa finds out and punishes Kambili, Jaja and Mama.

The family returns to Enugu and they all go to Confesssion. Papa decides that the children can go to stay with Ifeoma and their cousins in Nsukka in order to go on the pilgimage to Aokpe. It is clear that Papa and Kambili are very attached to each other as they find the parting (even though it will only be for five days) difficult.

Pages 110 - 139 

The casual corruption that exists is shown when Kevin bribes a policeman on the trip to Nsukka.  Ifeoma welcomes Kambili and Jaja warmly but Amaka treats Kambili with in a more hostile manner. She seems to be both competitive and patronising as well as curious - Kambili feels like a 'strange laboratory animal to be explained and catalogued'.

The meal and Ifeoma's flat confirm that she is struggling financially.

Kambili finds family life in Nsukka foreign compared to her life in Enugu.

Jaja is fascinated by the purple hibiscus he sees growing in Ifeoma's garden.

Father Amadi is introduced. Kambili finds it hard to reconcile her idea of what a priest is (based on people like Father Benedict) with the young, warm Father Amadi. He comments on her sombre, reserved ways which makes her even shyer and more tongue-tied.

Pages 162 - 205

This is a long section in which the plot moves relatively quickly. It can be said to contain the start of the turning point of Kambili's development although it also contains the most brutal scene of the novel. There is evidence that Jaja is finding a sense of freedom and separation from Papa's oppression.

Papa-Nnukwu seems to be getting better at the start of this section.

Father Amadi invites Kambili to join the boys who play football but she is too shy. She regrets not joining them.

Amaka paints a portrait of Papa-Nnukwu and is generally very attentive to him.

Kambili becomes more aware of the ways in which her grandfather practises his traditional beliefs.

When Father Amadi asks Kambili to come to the stadium again, she does, with a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. Father Amadi is encouraging and playful. He also shares his version of spirituality with Kambili.

Papa finds out that Papa-Nnukwu is staying at Aunty Ifeoma's house and demands that the children return home. He also shares the news that Ade Coker has been released.

Papa-Nnukwu dies in the night.

On their return home, it is clear that Jaja is prepared to stand up to Papa more. Mama shows signs of having been recently beaten by Papa.

The horrific scene of Papa burning Kambili's feet is described. Papa tells her how he was once punished in a similar way by the missionaries.

Jaja has brought back parts of the purple hibiscus to plant in their garden.

Ade Coker informs Papa about how the government is trying to limit press freedom.

It is clear that Kambili has developed a romantic interest in Father Amadi.

Pages 140 - 161

Aunty Ifeoma gives Kambili a book called Equiano's Travels, or the Life of Gustavus Vassa the African. Whenever an author mentions (or alludes to) another work of literature, it is significant. Google the title of this book to see if you can uncover the significance.  A conversation about how defiance is necessary sometimes intrigues Kambili.

Chima asks about Jaja's damaged finger but Aunty Ifeoma makes an excuse about what happened to it.

Mama phones with news of more military intimidation at the Standard offices and that Ade Coker has been arrested again. For Kambili and Jaja, this event means that they are allowed to stay longer in Nsukka.

Papa-Nnukwu is sick so Aunty Ifeoma decides to fetch him from Abba so that she can look after him in her house. The outside economic and political issues of fuel shortages and striking doctors are referred to.

Kambili worries that she and Jaja are as 'abnormal' as Amaka has described them as being.

Papa-Nnukwu tells a traditional folklore story about why the tortoise has a cracked shell.

Pages 206 - 216 

The politically-motivated killing of Ade Coker is described. The weather on the day is symbolic.

Papa's regret and self-blame, and then his generosity to Ade Coker's family and his physical signs of stress, could be interpreted as adding another dimension to Papa's character.

When Papa finds Kambili and Jaja looking at the painting of Papa-Nnukwu, he reacts with even more violence than usual. 

Kambili spends a long time in hospital and dreads going home. Ifeoma convinces Papa that Kambili and Jaja should spend time in Nsukka once Kambili is discharged.

Even though Kambili has to write her exams in hospital, she still comes first in class.

Pages 217 - 239

Back at Ifeoma's house, Amaka comments to Kambili that she has become 'Father Amadi's sweetheart'. She says she knows this because of how much concern he showed about Kambili while she was in hospital.

Kambili admits to Amaka that it was Papa who had hurt her. 

When she thinks about him, Kambili describes her feelings for Father Amadi with much more awareness and detail now.

There is trouble at the university with people being labelled as 'disloyal' and having their job security threatened if they do not support the sole administrator. The students' protests turn into riots that are severe enough for the university to have to shut for a while. Ifeoma is directly threatened and intimidated because she has been outspoken. The idea of Ifeoma moving her family to America is introduced.

Father Amadi takes Kambili to the stadium and Kambili notices how he encourages the boys who are practising high jump. He tells Kambili about how he does question aspects of life and belief. He also takes Kambili to someone who can braid her hair.

Pages 240 - 253

Kambili and Amaka go to one of Father Amadi's services. Kambili notes the differences between it and Father's Benedict's at home.

Ifeoma's friend, Chiaku, discusses recent events at the university and points to how tyranny and corruption have personal consequences too.

Obiora is outspoken when Chiaku passes negative comments about people who choose to emigrate. Ifeoma disciplines him because of the way he disagreed with her, not because he disagreed.

Mama arrives unexpectedly and in a disheveled state. Papa has beaten her to the point where she has miscarried again. She shows emotion this time but when Papa phones, she agrees to return to Enugu with him and the children the following day. When Ifeoma tries to dissuade her, Mama states that she has nowhere to go but back to Papa.

Amaka defends Papa.

When Papa arrives, he looks unwell and his swollen face is covered in a rash. The family returns to Enugu. When they arrive, Jaja comments that the purple hibiscus he planted has buds that are about to bloom.

Pages 257 - 270 

Pages 271 - 287 

The issue of religion converging with colonial oppression is raised again when Amaka refuses to take an English name for her confirmation 

Ifeoma, Amaka, Kambili and Father Amadi go to Aokpe. Kambili has an intense experience which cannot be explained logically or scientifically - she seems to feel the holiness or the spirituality of the place. Ifeoma agrees that 'something from God was happening [at Aokpe]'.

Kambili tells Father Amadi that she loves him but he gently tells her that she will still experience much love in her life. It is clear that he has chosen to keep his vows to the Church even though he is attracted to Kambili and cares deeply for her.

Ifeoma's visa application for America is successful but she reflects bitterly on the attitude of the officials to the Nigerian applicants.

On a 'goodbye tour' of Nsukka, on top of a hill, Kambili is able to laugh even though she still carries the sadness of Father Amadi's departure.

Mama phones with the news that Papa has died - he was found dead at his desk at the factory. Kambili seems to assume that the government has had him killed.

Pages 288 - 291

Mama insists that the family mourn privately. Sisi is the only person to cry about Papa's death.

Jaja seems bitter and distant - Kambili wants to tell him how she is feeling but does not.

An autopsy reveals that Papa has been poisoned. Mama explains how she put poison (that Sisi had procured for her) into his tea. When the police come, Jaja tells them that he is the one who did it.

Pages 295 - 307

Mama and Kambili are visiting Jaja in prison. Mama is unkempt and vacant. We are told that she has repeatedly informed people of her guilt but everyone dismisses her story as that of a grief-deranged widow.

A gentle man named Celestine has replaced Kevin.

After spending 31 months in prison, Jaja is soon to be released under an amnesty programme. Mama and Kambili have organised huge donations (or perhaps bribes) to various people in the legal and prison system. Papa left a lot of money to children's hospitals, orphanages and disabled veterans.

Kambili describes a trip to Nsukka that she has made and how the place reminded her of what freedom feels like.

The description of the appalling prison conditions is in stark contrast to this freedom.

Ifeoma's letters to Kambili tell her about life in America but one also contains an important comment about democracy in Africa.  Ifeoma believes that Africa cannot be judged for not managing democracy well yet as Africans are still 'babies' in that democracy has only recently been achieved. 

Amaka writes about how well fed everyone is in America but also how there is no time for laughter.

Obiora is enjoying the more liberal education system where he is allowed to be a critical thinker.

Kambili treasures the letters she receives from Father Amadi as they remind her she is 'worthy' and they give her 'grace'.

The novel ends with images of hope.