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)