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Metaphors
Definition of Mood
The mood of a piece of writing is its general atmosphere or emotional complexion—in short, the array of feelings the work evokes in the reader. Every aspect of a piece of writing... read full definition
The mood of a piece of writing is its general atmosphere or emotional complexion—in short, the array of feelings the work evokes in the reader. Every aspect... read full definition
The mood of a piece of writing is its general atmosphere or emotional complexion—in short, the array of feelings the work evokes... read full definition
Mood
Explanation and Analysis:
The mood in Purple Hibiscus initially feels tense and unsettling. Right from the beginning, Kambili’s uneasy skirting around the truth makes the reader feel her discomfort at constantly walking on eggshells in her family home. The rigid control Kambili’s father Eugene exerts fills the first chapters with a painful sense of confinement, which affects the entire household.
Readers feel the oppressive weight of his expectations even when he’s not exerting his authoritarian will over his wife, children, and servants. When Eugene does lose his temper and behave with cruelty and violence, the reader feels shock and empathy for Kambili and her family. This is only heightened when Eugene demands immediate forgiveness and reconciliation after exploding. Having to pretend that all is well immediately after his rages almost feels worse to read than the scenes of the violence itself. With Kambili, the reader feels the painful duality of loving one’s father but hating and fearing him in equal measure.
In the early pages of Purple Hibiscus, the family’s daily life feels stifling and claustrophobic. However, as Kambili ventures beyond her father’s home, the mood begins to shift. Her trips to Aunty Ifeoma's household—where debate is encouraged and the rules are relaxed—introduces the possibility that life can be filled with warmth and laughter. This is a concept that Kambili and Jaja had never been introduced to with Eugene and Beatrice. This shift in environment lightens the overall mood, changing the atmosphere so that it feels more open and full of potential. It contrasts sharply with the earlier sense of restriction, allowing the reader to experience some of the same relief Kambili does. They also get to experience the butterflies in Kambili's stomach as she experiences her first crush on the dashing Father Amadi, reminding them that she's still a young, naive girl despite the hideous circumstances she often finds herself in.
The mood takes another turn during the novel’s climax, which is again filled with gruelingly painful tension. Eugene’s poisoning and Jaja’s decision to take the blame flip the atmosphere in the family home back to chaos and uncertainty. The reader feels Kambili’s combined grief and relief, as well as her fear for Jaja’s future. As the novel concludes, the mood feels oddly mixed, as though Kambili herself isn’t quite sure about how to interpret things. Kambili has grown and changed through her experiences, and there is a sense of hard-won resilience in her perspective. Jaja’s impending release from jail makes her feel hopeful, but that hope is tempered by all that the family members have endured.
Related Themes:
