L6 Purple Hibiscus Oppression and Rebellion

This lesson uses a group work task to encourage students to consider the different ways in which Adichie explores oppression, violence and rebellion in her novel. Each research question has a thorough list of supporting questions to aid students in thinking more deeply and critically about the way Adichie explores these themes in her novel.

This lesson is particularly useful for: scaffolding pupils’ research skills, deepening their understanding of the text, revealing some of the nuances of the text to them, developing their critical reading and understanding skills.

The presentation the group task leads to also develops pupils’ confidence and speaking and listening skills.

This lesson includes three PowerPoints covering the two preparation lessons and the presentation lesson.

**Topics covered: **

• Eugene’s oppression of his immediate family.
• Eugene’s use of his newspaper to challenge the oppression of the Head of State.
• Eugene’s use of his money to control others.
• The difference between Jaja and Kambali’s responses to their father’s oppression.
• The connection between Catholicism and the colonial subjugation of Nigeria.
• The Sole Administrator’s oppression of Nsukka and Auntie Ifeoma.
• Violence and oppression.
• Amaka and Father Amadi’s different responses to the oppressive nature of the Catholic church.
• How Adichie uses the motif of silence to explore reactions to oppression.