Flowers of Freedom: Voice, Defiance, and Coming of Age in Purple Hibiscus

Students will explore how Adichie uses characterization, structure, point of view, and motifs to develop themes connected to freedom, tyranny, and coming of age.

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ELA

Alternate Unit 2

10th Grade

Unit Summary


The core text Purple Hibiscus fits within the year-long theme of the individual in society, as Adichie uses parallel plotlines to portray how the Achike family is a microcosm of the Nigerian society they live in. Through her portrayal of political and familial violence, Adichie invites readers to debate whether an individual should stay in an unjust and oppressive society in order to create change or leave that society for a better life. Students also explore the sacrifices individuals make for freedom. 

Prior to reading the novel, students will engage with Binyavanga Wainaina's essay "How to Write About Africa" and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Ted Talk "The Danger of a Single Story" to explore how both texts call attention to the West's harmful stereotypes about Africa and Africans. These readings prepare students for Purple Hibiscus, which uses a dynamic Nigerian main character, Kambili, to depict the complexity of postcolonial Nigerian experiences, thus interrupting the West's single stories about Africa. Through Kambili's voice, students learn about the detrimental ripple effects of colonialism, and they explore why it is sometimes necessary to defy tyrannical authority figures. 

As students read Purple Hibiscus, they will trace the significance of different motifs across the novel. At the end of the unit, students will write a literary analysis essay about how the evolution of one or two closely connected motifs develops a theme that resonates with their own lives or the world they live in.

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Texts and Materials


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Core Materials

  • Book: Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Algonquin Books, 2012)

Supporting Materials

Assessment


This assessment accompanies Unit 13 and should be given on the suggested assessment day or after completing the unit.

Key Knowledge


Intellectual Prep

Unit Launch

Before you teach this unit, unpack the texts, themes, and core standards through our guided intellectual preparation process. Each Unit Launch includes a series of short videos, targeted readings, and opportunities for action planning to ensure you're prepared to support every student.

Essential Questions

  • What does it mean to be truly free? What is the relationship between freedom and sacrifice?
  • How does the tension between tradition and colonialism impact individuals and communities?
  • How can family dynamics be reflective of a society?
  • How do our identities change depending on the community we are a part of?
  • How can beliefs and actions be in contradiction to one another?

Vocabulary

Text-based

abject benevolence coup culturally conscious defiant decree desecrate engrossed evocative heathen implicate invigorated ingrained malign microcosm pacify patronizing penitent pilgrimage reconcile rebuked recounted sacrilegious solemnity subdued taboo thwart traditionalist

Literary Terms

allusion anecdote characterization enjambment external dialogue foil hyperbole internal dialogue metaphor motif mood parallel plots postcolonial literature refrain rhetorical question satire structure theme understatement verbal irony

To see all the vocabulary for Unit 2, view our 10th Grade Vocabulary Glossary.

Notes for Teachers

Purple Hibiscus contains both explicit and implicit references to disturbing content, including physical abuse and pregnancy loss. Before starting the text, it is imperative that teachers prepare students for this content, which may be sensitive and triggering for students. To foster a safe learning environment, teachers should create or re-establish their classroom contract and have a dialogue with students about what would make them feel safe when reading and discussing upsetting scenes in the novel. Prior to students reading Purple Hibiscus, teachers should provide students with an overall warning about the sensitive content in the book. Before students complete a homework reading with disturbing scenes, teachers should warn students about the upsetting content they will come across in that particular reading, so that students can mentally and emotionally prepare themselves for it. Additionally, teachers should be aware of signs of abuse, in the event that a student displays signs or discloses abuse they are experiencing inside or outside of their home. 

Below are some resources to prepare yourself and your students for this text:

Lesson Map


Common Core Standards


Core Standards

RI.9-10.2
RI.9-10.6
RL.9-10.2
RL.9-10.3
RL.9-10.4
RL.9-10.5
RL.9-10.6
SL.9-10.1
SL.9-10.1.a
SL.9-10.1.b
SL.9-10.1.c
SL.9-10.1.d
SL.9-10.4
W.9-10.1
W.9-10.1.a
W.9-10.1.b
W.9-10.1.c
W.9-10.1.d
W.9-10.1.e
W.9-10.3
W.9-10.4
W.9-10.5
W.9-10.6
W.9-10.10

Supporting Standards

L.9-10.1
L.9-10.2
L.9-10.3
L.9-10.5
L.9-10.6
RI.9-10.1
RL.9-10.1
RL.9-10.2
RL.9-10.3
RL.9-10.4
RL.9-10.5
RL.9-10.6
SL.9-10.1
SL.9-10.4
SL.9-10.6
W.9-10.1.a
W.9-10.1.b
W.9-10.1.c
W.9-10.3
W.9-10.4
W.9-10.5
W.9-10.9
W.9-10.10
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Unit 1

Altruism and Interconnectedness in Short Texts

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Unit 3

Feminism and Self-Respect in Sula

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