Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi: *1977

Purple Hibiscus, 2003 - Characters

  • Major Characters

    Kambili Achike - The main protagonist and narrator, a shy and timid 15-year-old girl who undergoes significant personal growth over the course of the novel.

    Jaja (Chukwuka) Achike - Kambili's older brother, an intelligent and initially obedient son who later defies his father's authority.

    Eugene Achike - The wealthy but violently abusive and religiously fanatical father of Kambili and Jaja.

    Beatrice Achike - The submissive mother of Kambili and Jaja, who suffers physical and psychological abuse from her husband Eugene.

    Aunty Ifeoma - Eugene's sister, a progressive university lecturer whose household provides a nurturing environment for Kambili and Jaja.

    Papa-Nnukwu - Kambili and Jaja's grandfather who practices traditional Igbo spirituality, which Eugene rejects.

    Father Amadi - A young priest who becomes a friend of Aunty Ifeoma's family and awakens Kambili's sense of identity and sexuality.

    Developed by AI

  • Complete List of Characters
    Kambili Achike — Narrator and central character in novel
    Eugene “Papa” Achike — Kambili and Jaja’s father
    Beatrice “Mama” Achike — Kambili and Jaja’s mother; wife of Eugene
    Chukwuka “Jaja” Achike — Kambili’s older brother by about two years
    Aunty Ifeoma — Eugene’s sister; widowed with three children
    Amaka — Aunty Ifeoma’s oldest daughter; 15 years old
    Obiora — Aunty Ifeoma’s son; 14 years old
    Chima — Aunty Ifeoma’s youngest child; 7 years old
    Father Amadi — A young, attractive priest; close with Aunty Ifeoma’s family
    Papa-Nnukwu — Eugene and Ifeoma’s father; rooted in traditional non-Christian beliefs of his indigenous culture
    Father Benedict — White, British-born head of St. Agnes Church
    Ade Coker — Editor of the newspaper "The Standard" owned by Papa Achike
    Yewande Coker — Wife of Ade Coker; has two young children
    Sisi — Servant girl in the Achikes’ home
    Kevin — The Achikes’ driver
  • Character Analyses
  • Character Development: Aunty Ifeoma
  • The Controversial Character of Papa (Kambili’s father)