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9th Grade English

Unit 4: Purple Hibiscus
Lesson 7

Objective Readings and Materials

Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda
Explore the theme of love and how the author conveys this theme in chapters Ngozi Adichie pg. 27 — 36
two and three.

Target Task

Question 1
What is the main effect of having Papa repeat the question, “Are you sure you want to stay in the car?” on p. 29?

1. to show that Papa isn’t sure Mama heard his question

2. to show Papa’s declining memory
3. to show that Papa is angered by Mama’s request
4. to show that Papa is excited for the whole family to join him

Question 2
Which two pieces of evidence, when taken together, show that Kambili both fears and reveres her father?

1. “Then he reached out and held my hand, and I felt as though my mouth were full of melting sugar.” (p. 26)
2. “Mama was looking down; her hands were placed on her belly, to hold the wrapper from untying itself…” (p. 29)
3. “’Thank you, Papa, I said, feeling the love burn my tongue.’” (p. 31)
4. “Mama did not come home that night, and Jaja and I had dinner alone.” (p. 33)
5. “our vendor delivered the major papers every morning, four copies each, on Papa’s orders.” (p. 25)

Key Questions

Close reading questions for p. 31

What are the power dynamics between the characters in this scene?
What is the author communicating about love through this dynamic?
The narrator provides detail about her sip of the tea. What is the impact of this detail on the reader?
“’Thank you, Papa.’” I said, feeling the love burn my tongue. What is the author’s tone here? Explain.

Notes

Assign pages 31-36 for homework if necessary.

9th Grade English

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Unit 4: Purple Hibiscus — Lesson 7 of 32
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