Table of contentsIntroductionSymbolism of Beatrice figurinesSymbolic role of hibiscusConclusionReferencesIntroductionGrowing up in a country plagued by the harsh realities of domestic violence, expressing your truest thoughts can often lead to brutal consequences. “Purple Hibiscus,” written by Chimamanda Adichie, is a powerful illustration of this truth. In a society and a household ruled by Eugene, an authoritarian male figure, the voice of the Achike family remains muffled. Therefore, their emotions and character development find expression through objects and the natural world around them. In the narrative, hibiscus figurines and flowers emerge as enigmatic symbols, offering deeper insight into hidden emotions and unpredictable character changes, thereby enriching our understanding of the novel's underlying themes. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essay Symbolism of Beatrice FigurinesThe events taking place in the story shed light on the symbolic meaning of Mom's cherished figurines (Beatrice ), which serve as a reflection of her delicate struggle against her husband, Eugene. Beatrice's emotional attachment to these figurines becomes evident when Eugene breaks them early in the book, prompting her to shed tears. It is at this moment that Kambili realizes, "Things started to fall apart at home when her brother, Jaja, didn't go to communion and Papa threw his heavy missal across the room and broke the figurines on the shelf...immediately I looked at Mom as her eyes filled with water as the broken pieces of the figurines hit the floor "The fragility of the figurine's glass contrasts sharply with the heavy missal. , symbolizing Eugene himself. This symbolism highlights the connection between the figurines and Mom's gentle attempts to deal with her husband's violent nature. Interestingly, Beatrice seeks comfort from the figurines whenever she experiences Eugene's abuse, as if she finds comfort in their fragility, which reflects her own vulnerability. Moreover, her extraordinary attachment to the figurines is manifested when she lingers on the broken pieces, holding them in her hands. As Beatrice sits silently, clutching the broken figurine, Kambili reflects, "I wanted to say, 'I'm sorry your figurines broke, Mom,' but instead the words that came out were, 'I I’m sorry daddy broke.” your figurines. She nodded quickly, then shook her head to show that the figurines didn't matter, yet years ago, before I understood, I wondered why she polished them every time... I went down to see her standing next to it. shelf with a cloth soaked in soapy water. She spent at least a quarter of an hour on each classical dance figurine. "Beatrice's extraordinary attention to these figurines is a reflection of her own heart and the self-compassion she longs for. When Eugene breaks the figurines, he simultaneously breaks Beatrice's heart through his violent and careless actions Furthermore, Beatrice's transformation becomes apparent through her decision not to replace the broken sculptures, meaning that change is on the horizon. It is after her refusal that Kambili begins to understand, "can. -maybe Mom had understood that she would no longer need the figurines; that when Papa threw the missal to Jaja, it wasn't just the figurines that fell, it was everything." Kambili I just realized that. Now count, things were goingchange."The irreparable damage caused to the figurines by the missal serves as a metaphor for the extent of Maman's suffering caused by Eugene's brutality. Her decision not to replace the sculptures not only means the loss of her most precious possessions , but also a departure from her usual calm The figurines symbolize the fact that significant actions can precipitate profound transformations, and Beatrice evolves into a new character with her decision not to replace them. Beatrice's hidden emotions and the dramatic change in her character as she struggles with the brutality of her savage husband Symbolic Role of Hibiscus The use of hibiscus serves as a symbolic representation of the different stages of Jaja's life. he undergoes a transformation from a life overshadowed by violence and oppression to becoming an independent individual in his fight for freedom. The vibrant hues of the hibiscus found in Jaja's residence reflect his oppressive existence during Eugene's reign. Even with the introduction of serene purple hibiscus into their garden, Jaja acknowledges that although "the purple plants had started to grow, most of the flowers were still on the red ones. They seemed to bloom so quickly, these red hibiscus." In Jaja's house, growing purple hibiscus is an anomaly, as the garden is mostly dominated by reds. The bright red color symbolizes the pain and anger that permeates Jaja's life, with the rapid flowering of the red hibiscus signifying Eugene's dominance. Additionally, Jaja's new courage to defy his father dates back to his first encounter with the purple hibiscus, which serves as the catalyst for his journey to independence. After Jaja refuses to take communion, Kambili admits that “It was Nsukka who started it all. ..Jaja's challenge seemed to me now like Aunt Ifeoma's experimental purple hibiscus: rare, fragrant with shades of freedom that were about to blossom. Jaja's bold act reflects his growing maturity, his rebellion symbolizing his new courage. The parallel between Jaja's transformation and the purple hibiscus is drawn because of their rarity and association with freedom. The budding purple hibiscus reflects Jaja's burgeoning freedom as he begins to question Eugene's authority and engage in acts of defiance. Additionally, the correlation between Jaja's character development and the blooming of the purple hibiscus becomes more pronounced as Jaja continues to disobey Eugene's orders, establishing himself as a maverick in the narrative. As Jaja moves from simply refusing communion to boldly slamming doors in Eugene's face and courageously declining dinner invitations, Kambili observes that "the purple hibiscuses begin to bloom and change color...I could see the sleeping oval shaped buds in the front yard as they swayed in the evening breeze, unconstrained. ".just like us too." Jaja's quest for self-reliance aligns with the growth of the purple hibiscus in their garden. The transformation of the hibiscus into a shade of purple symbolizes the changes within Jaja as he evolves into a fearless character who challenges Eugene's authority Just as the purple hibiscus swing freely in their environment without restriction, they serve as a symbol for Jaja, who has fully blossomed as an individual free from tyranny. by Eugene.Keep in mind: This is just a sample. Get a custom paper from our expert now.Get a custom essayConclusionIn Chimamanda Adichie's novel, "Purple Hibiscus", the usage. intelligent symbolism through figurines and hibiscus., 37(1), 205-217.