Bernat Fabra,

How is the contrast between the family life in Kambili’s household and her cousin’s
household explored in the novel?

Adiche uses lots of imagery and literary devices to show the contrast between the 2
households. Each household has their own beliefs and regulations. As you read through the
novel, Adichie shows countless examples of how each household behaves.

Adichie shows how Papa's household is very religious through the extract and is very
persistent and strict in upholding his beliefs. Adichie does this through the use of imagery.
For example, "Did you desecrate your Christian tongue?", the use of visual imagery and
alliteration shows how even the smallest and insignificant things are vital. Papa calls
Kambili’s tongue the term "desecrate''. This word has negative connotations and indicates
that papa is frustrated and disappointed at Kambili. Furthermore, "God will deliver us, I said,
knowing that papa would like saying that ''. The use of auditory imagery shows how the
family talks in religious words. She says religious words like "god", which has connotations
of religion, this shows how they have a lot of faith in their religion and how religion is always
on her mind when she is with Papa. I feel like Kambili is only religious to make Papa
delighted and proud, because every time she does something religious, she always thinks
about Papa while doing it. This also makes me feel a bit bitter because I believe that she feels
stuck and that's not a reason to follow a religion. Finally, "Things started to fall apart at home
when my brother, Jaja, did not go to the communion." By the use of hyperbole, it connotes an
idea of how important it is to attend the communion in the household. The hyperbole further
emphasises how the family is very religious and strict. This is because it shows how such a
minuscule thing made such a big change in the household. The words “down hill” have an
exceedingly negative connotation. They show how when the pattern was broken, everything
was crashing to rock bottom. Further, emphasising to the reader how inflexible the household
was.

The religion in Aunty Ifeoma's household isn't as strict and religious as Papa's is, it’s more
optimistic and positive. For example, "Her laugh floated upstairs." This example of metaphor
and auditory image vividly shows that Aunty Ifeoma’s household is joyful, free and more
open. The word "floated" suggests that it is a soft and calm voice. That is like a warm cloud
of pleasant sound rising up a staircase. This reflects that she is a positive and cheerful person.
Moreover, "It was sinful to look upon another person's nakedness" The use of visual imagery
and the word "sinful" implies how they openly commit sins with no sweat at all. This tells us
how they are not devoted to their faith, like Papa's household is. Another example, "We do
not say Mass in the name of grace like your father does" the use of auditory imagery shows
how Aunty Ifeoma talks in a less religious and formal way. The passive aggression in "We
do not say" connotes how Aunty Ifeoma's household would never say anything slightly
religious, such as this. "Like your father does", the disdain in her voice further emphasises
how Aunty Ifeoma is not as religious as Papa. Finally, "Eugene gave you a schedule to follow
while you’re here?" The use of the rhetorical question illustrates that she is joking and that a
"schedule to follow" would be outrageous in their household. The word "schedule" has
connotations of being strict and closed, being something that someone has to follow. Since
they are mocking the "schedule", it further emphasises how the household is not strict and
free. This makes me feel disappointed that they do not follow a religion, because I believe
that everyone should follow a religion and god, but everyone has their own choices, so I can’t
really judge them.

Papa's discipline methods within his household are abusive and violent and because of this,
they are really well-disciplined, in contrast to Aunty Ifeoma's household. For example, "he
started to kick me. The metal buckles on his slippers stung like giant mosquitoes" The visual
and tactile imagery show how violent Papa's discipline methods are, as well as how much
pain Kambili is in. Kambili describes the slippers as "giant mosquitoes"; this gives them a
negative connotation and indicates that they are very disturbing and painful. This directly
connects to the theme of abuse Papa has. Another example of this is "He poured the hot water
on my feet slowly, as if he were conducting an experiment and wanted to see what would
happen”. The use of simile and visual imagery illustrates that Papa is hurting Kambili really
badly. The word "slowly" suggests that papa is evil and abusive because he is trying to hurt
her as much as possible. Kambili also describes him as if he was "conducting an experiment"
This emphasises that papa doesn't really care if Kambili is in pain or suffering. The writer is
trying to create the effect that papa is a horrendous and abusive man. I feel frustrated at papa
because he is not only physically hurting her, but mentally as well. I feel like no child should
ever go through that because it will traumatise the child's life forever, especially if it's their
dad abusing them. I also feel extremely guilty that no one is there to help Kambili. Moreover,
Kambili says "I did not know how to handle that kind of playfulness" The use of visual
imagery illustrates how much playfulness she is dealing with and shows how Kambili doesn't
know how to react with playfulness because of Papa's strict discipline method. This really
dictates how she is really disciplined and never faced any time of playing around when papa
was around. Therefore, the writer wants to draw our attention that Kambili was horrified by
Papa. The word "handle" really emphasises how new and awkward this "playfulness" is to
her. I feel pity for Kambili because I feel like she never enjoyed her childhood and never will
because of all of papa's strict regulations.

Aunty Ifeoma's household is described as open and flexible, but there is a line of respect that
can't be crossed. This is because of her style of discipline. For example, Aunty Ifeoma says,
"Amaka, you are free to have your opinions". The use of auditory imagery tells us that Aunty
Ifeoma's household is free and everyone can give their opinions and imply their ideas to the
family, unlike Papa’s. The term "free" has connotations of liberty and freedom. Furthermore,
"I will not tolerate this rubbish from you! I na anu?". The metaphor, "I will not tolerate this
rubbish from you! I na anu?" further emphasises how she does not accept any type of
disrespect gratuitously. The word "rubbish" has negative connotations, illustrating that Aunty
Ifeoma thinks that it's completely not acceptable to be negative in the household. Especially
to guests. The Nigerian sentence "I na anu?" ("do you hear me?"). The repetition of "I na
anu?" ("do you hear me?") and the fact that she said it in her native language tells us how
serious she really is this time, but also tells us how most of the time she is not very serious.
Another example is "Aunty Ifeoma stormed inside, nearly knocking a lamp over." The use of
visual imagery shows how furious Aunty Ifeoma was and how she does not tolerate any type
of disrespect if there wasn't any good reason. The term "stormed" shows how aggressively
she went inside the room. Further, emphasising how angry she was. The writer intentionally
emphasises this to show how even when she is furious, she doesn't lose control and violently
abuses her children, like Papa. I like the way Aunty Ifeoma teaches her kids. I feel like it’s
the perfect balance between strict and completely laid back because she can be at ease when
she wants to but be strict when she needs to, unlike Papa.

In conclusion, there is a huge contrast between the two households. Aunty Ifeomas is much
freer and fun and Papas is strict, very religious and much more abnormal to most people.