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Similes
Chapter 2
Explanation and Analysis—Answers You Know:
Kambili and Jaja are so connected that they can often communicate without speaking. However, it doesn’t make it any easier to talk about their abusive home life, as this passage suggests:
We did that often, asking each other questions whose answers we already knew. Perhaps it was so that we would not ask the other questions, the ones whose answers we did not want to know.
The situational irony here lies in the contrast between Kambili and Jaja’s ability to communicate without words, and the way they still avoid “saying” what they actually need to talk about. Their connection is so deep that they can easily anticipate one another’s responses, yet they deliberately avoid confronting the underlying reason for all of their problems. Their silence mirrors the culture of silence in Eugene’s household, where everyone acknowledges but no one will discuss the fear and pain of his dominance over their family. The act of asking and answering questions they already know the answers to is a ritual of avoidance, a defense mechanism to preserve their fragile sense of normalcy. The repetition of “asking and receiving the same things” also mirrors the cycles of abuse and control that Eugene perpetrates. No matter what his family try, patterns repeat without resolution.
Related Themes:
Chapter 10
Explanation and Analysis—Everything I Do:
In this passage, which occurs after Eugene has viciously punished Kambili, Adichie uses situational irony to show the disconnect between Eugene’s justification for his abuse and the harm he inflicts on Kambili:
‘Everything I do for you, I do for your own good,’ Papa said. ‘You know that?’
‘Yes, Papa.’ I still was not sure if he knew about the painting.
The situational irony of this passage is painful; Eugene’s claim that his actions are “for your own good” is his attempt to coerce his daughter into forgiving him for torturing her. By saying this, Eugene suggests that his violent punishments are rooted in love and moral obligation. He’s trying to make Kambili “understand” that he is doing these abusive things because he loves her. However, the reality of his actions directly contradicts this reasoning. Instead of nurturing or protecting Kambili, he is physically and emotionally harming her in a way that’s likely to do permanent damage. His tactics for “helping” her are fundamentally hypocritical. However, because he has enormous power over his daughter, she has no choice but to accept his word.
The irony deepens when Eugene asks Kambili “You know that?” rather than asking whether or not she believes him. The question presumes acceptance, leaving no room for Kambili to challenge his belief. Her automatic response of “Yes, Papa” reflects her conditioned obedience and fear, rather than genuine agreement. The reader can clearly see the power imbalance in their relationship here, where Eugene’s authority is absolute and dissent is unthinkable.
Related Themes:
