Mama's Figurines
"Things started to fall apart when my brother, Jaja, did not go to communion and Papa flung his heavy missal across the room and broke the figurines on the etagere(Kambili page 1)." Mama has some beloved ceramic figurines of ballet dancers that she keeps in the house. She always polishes them after Papa beats her. Mama, Kambili, and Jaja never speak of Papa’s violence, but polishing the figurines become a kind of euphemism for his domestic abuse. On Palm Sunday, the turning point for the family, Papa gets angry at Jaja’s open disobedience and throws his missal, breaking the figurines. As she cleans them up, Mama tells Kambili that she won’t need to replace them. This shows that something has changed in the family dynamic, and Mama won’t stand for violence anymore, just as Jaja asserts his independence by disobeying Papa. This being said, the figurines symbolize the silence the family lives with under the fear of Papa’s violence, and when the figurines are broken it means the beginning of freedom.
-Purple Hibiscus-
Kambili reminds me of myself in some ways. She loves her father, but its easily shown that his religious views and ways can be very overwhelming. Especially for a teenage girl. While reading this novel, I had flashbacks of many times when my grand mom would turn every conversation into religion. Im not saying that Im not religious at all, but Im only 17. Its easily understood for young teens to be confused and not want to talk about God in every conversation. But, I also had to respect my grand mom. Kambili is a very respectful child to her father no matter what. Respect for family members, especially elder ones, shows a sign of honor and value.
"A love sip, he called it, because you shared the little things you loved with the people you loved. Have a love sip, he would say, and Jaja would go first. Then I would hold the cup with both hands and raise it to my lips. One sip. The tea was always too hot, always burned my tongue, and if lunch was something peppery. my raw tongue suffered. But it didn't matter, because I knew that when the tea burned my tongue, it burned Papas love into me(Adichie page 8)." After reading this, it stuck to me. I pictured this whole scene in my head very vivid and clear. It really shows how much love Kambili has for her father. As little as sipping from the same cup of tea shows such an abundance amount of love she has for him.
In what genre does your book belong? Give reasons why and explain.
"Damned" would be considered a realistic fiction book. Realistic fiction is a genre consisting of stories that could have actually occurred to people in real life. Fictional characters in this book (Madison, Babette, Leonardo, Etc.) react similarly to real people. In "Damned", Madison is in a present setting that could taken place in today's world. The characters in this book could actually go to Hell and do "bad things" realistically. The characters in this book live in Hell, and if you believe in an after life, then this could be realistic to you. Madison has realistic problems in this book, she feels depressed when she lives on Earth...but when she arrives in Hell, she feels at home.
Make a collection of pictures to describe this book.
The devil obviously plays a huge role in this book. Everyone in the book is going on a hunt for the devil in Hell!!!!!!
The Breakfast Club describes the main characters in the book. The cheerleader..jock..nerd.. and the punk rocker. All stuck in Hell together, forced to become friends.
Questions for thought!!!!!!!!!
(please answer these)
Would you recommend this book to a younger or an older person? Explain why.
Do you think Madison and her friends will ever find the Devil?
If you were to make an assumption, do you think Madison will end up with Leonard? Why?
