Figurative Language In Purple Hibiscus

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Recommended: Coming of age introduction

Adolescence can be a confusing time, but the addition of emotional abuse to this time can stunt mental and emotional development. The idea of living a life full of fear and abuse is one that is unimaginable for many, but for some it is their daily life. Living a life free and happy seems otherworldly to victims of abuse and it is impossible to understand this feeling until one has lived through it. In the novel Purple Hibiscus, the growth of Kambili from a nervous frightful child to a happy strong woman provides a complex coming of age story that illustrates the ability of humans to question authority in their quest for what is right. The story of Kambili starts simple as a child who is proud to have a father as strong and well respected …show more content…

Kambili begins her life with her world “as measured and silent as our Sunday 's”(31) as she follows the strict guidelines set forth by her father. The grueling schedule of church and prayer on Sundays leaves no room for anything but structure and a cold impersonality to her religion. This authority allows her no room to make mistakes therefore no room to learn. This suffocating feeling forces her to escape the confines of her father’s grasp in order to feel her heart “revving like an engine” (104) which allows her to break through her restraints and find love with her Aunty Ifeoma and cousins. Her heart finds a way to have a voice of it’s own within her Aunty’s home and she finds that a boisterous life to be one that nurtures her growth. The stark contrast between the deafening silence of her father’s home and the joyful chatter of her Aunty’s home is one that makes Kambili crave a life outside of her father’s grasp. Although her methods of deceit are not advisable they show the strength of character in a person who is truly following their heart towards growth and happiness. As Kambili begins to defy her father’s strict rules, she begins to learn what it is like to experience the freedom of making one’s own choices. She like many humans becomes addicted to the joy that comes with choosing her own path while discovering what she considers to be right and wrong. Although the path her father is set before her is clear, there is magic within the

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