Joanie and Meghan
Kambili A fifteen year-old girl, at first is very soft spoken. She holds the place for number one top student in her class. Papa, Kambili’s father holds high expectations for her; she follows her schedule that he makes for her and her older brother Jaja. Having everyday scheduled makes it so she has little to no freedom. Papa takes her voice and humanity away. Staying the week at Aunt Ifeoma’s house in Nsukka brings out a new Kambili. Her cousins judge her because of the wealth her father has and how different their lives are. Kambili’s cousin Amaka also 15 years of age, gave her the hardest time. Kambili had to adapt to the new environment. She had to learn to use her voice and stick up for herself. The visit to Nsukka was a life changer for Kambili.
Jaja was the older of the two children, 17 years of age. He was also the rebellious of the two. Jaja is one of the many few who stand up to Papa. It all started when Jaja didn’t go up for communion. Papa being a huge religious man who nobody disobeys, Jaja got greatly punished for his action. Little by little throughout the novel Jaja begins to rebel against Papa. The first visit to Nsukka was different for Jaja than it was for Kambili. Jaja seemed to fit in more with the cousins; he had more of a voice and will to see things differently than the way he was brought up. By the ending of the novel Jaja seems to be questioning the religion Papa forced him to practice.
Papa is a man who always needs to be in control, a strong catholic man. Papa is also a very wealthy; he owns a factory selling bisques and beverages. Secretly Papa and his co-workers publish a magazine called Standard where they write factual pieces about the government. Writing these pieces puts Papa and his co-workers in great danger with Papa being in charge it's puts a great amount of stress on him. Practicing the Catholic religion is very important to Papa. The church gets a great amount of donations from Papa, he feels the need to take care of his people of the church, “don’t thank me, it’s all from God.”He is loved by the community and held at high respect, but at home his actions and self are opposite of what the community sees. He doesn’t talk to his own father because he is a “heathen” someone who doesn’t practice the Catholic ways. Papa only allows his children, Kambili and Jaja 15 minutes to visit with Papa-Nnukwu, they’re not allowed to eat or drink anything from their grandfather’s house. When the children or his wife disobey him in any way he punishes them or more so, abuses them. After beating his wife or children he always feels guilty but never stops. Throughout the novel the author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie drops hints to why Papa is the way he is but never the full story.
Momma is controlled by Papa, whatever he says goes. She is constantly getting abused by Papa. Momma watches him abuse their children and there’s nothing she can do to stop it. All the other women throw themselves at Papa because of his wealth and high status but he always stayed loyal to Momma and that’s why she feels obligated to stay with him. Momma at first was having trouble getting pregnant and Papa still stayed by her side. Aunty Ifeoma tries to influence her to leave Papa because his abusiveness is out of control and wrong. By the end of the novel, Momma starts to realize she needs to protect her children and she begins to see the bad in Papa’s actions.
Sisi, the housekeeper and cleaning lady. Papa shows Sisi no respect always referring to her as “the girl” never using her name or treating her like a person. Sisi gets along with Momma and socializes with her often. At the end of the novel Sisi gets married off, she cries to Momma because of happiness and thankfulness that Momma treats her like she’s part of the family.
Aunty Ifeoma was also a person of the few to stick up to Papa. A widow with three children and the sister to Papa. Aunty Ifeoma has a big heart, loves all. Papa-Nnukwu was a big part to Aunty Ifeoma’s life, her family loved his company. Aunty Ifeoma practices the Catholic religion as well as being a traditionalist so Papa still associates with her. Aunty Ifeoma is very poor but Papa refuses to share his wealth with her because she associates herself with their father. Her eldest son, Obiora takes over the duties of the man of the household, protecting his mother and siblings. Papa’s children have never been away from him for over a day and Aunty convinces him to let Kambili and Jaja to stay with her for a week. During the children’s visit, Papa-Nnukwu gets very ill. Aunty goes and gets him to bring him to her house to take care of him, which is a sin for Kambili and Jaja to stay in the same house as a heathen. Aunty Ifeoma tries showing the children there is nothing evil about Papa-Nnukwu. Aunt Ifeomo works at a University in which she isn't respected. It is also under a corrupt government and one of her friends has moved to America, and she tries to convince Aunty Ifeoma to do the same for better job opportunities. Aunty Ifeoma is running out of money from not working and makes the attempt to get her visa to go to America.
Amaka the oldest of Aunt Ifeoma's three children. A fifteen year old girl who at the beginning is seen as judgemental, arrogant and stuck in her ways. Amaka was critical of wealth. She had an act for speaking her mind. Amaka “judged a book by its cover” as she did to her stranger like cousin Kambili but as time progressed a bond was formed between one another. Coming from a family of poverty she was deeply rooted in her ways. She had helped her mother countless times, felt a close connection to her family and her village Nsukka. She faces conflict throughout the book but quick to adapt to new beginnings.
Obiora the eldest son and middle child of Aunt Ifeoma's children. His mother was a widow, so he had assumed the role of becoming the father of the house and taking on responsibility that a child shouldn’t have to do. But, Obiora was mature and seen beyond his teenage years. He has trouble in trusting and questions everything. Even though the same age as Jaja he is seen as older and influential in helping Jaja find himself.
Chima the youngest of the three children of Aunt Ifeoma's, he is rambunctious and very young. He represents the innocence of Nigeria and the conflict of religion.
Papa- Nnukwu the father of Papa and Aunt Ifeoma. He lives in Ibba and practices traditional religion. (traditionalist) Papa Nnukwu is close with Aunt Ifeoma and her children as they practice the same belief. But, Papa Nnukwu had little to no connections with Kambili and Jaja in which when they are to see each other, it is timed because of an never ending feud that Papa had started over religion. Papa-Nnukwu is called a “heathen” by Papa and his children are forced to believe the same, until they had spent unexpected time with him and realize his views are as valid as their fathers.
Father Amadi the priest of Aunty Ifeoma and her family’s church. All the teenage girls’ had a crush on father Amadi he’s a charmer and a young priest. He’s was very close to Aunty Ifeoma and her family, he visited often, came for dinner, and helped them out when they were in need. Father Amadi was a big part to Jaja and Kambili visit to Nsukka. He took Jaja and his cousin Obiora to play football at the stadium and convinces kambili to come once alone with him. Kambili develops a crush on Father Amadi. Kambili spends a lot of her visit with him. Papa knows Father Amadi because one time he came and visited at the church papa and his family goes to in Nigeria. Papa doesn’t like him because during his service he broke out into an African song. Papa believes the Catholic Church should only be an English church and to not mix the religions. Father Amadi wasn’t like most priests, or like the priest of Kambili’s and Jaja’s church in Nigeria. He enjoyed to sing, and was respected people who practiced different religions. At the end of the novel Father Amadi was given the opportunity to go to Germany to be a minister.
Father Benedict is the white British conservative Catholic priest at the St. Agnes church that Kambili and her family attends. He is held at high respect and shares the same harsh rules that Papa enforces. He praises Papa and speaks of him during services about how he is holds up the community. Father Benedict does not teach or believe any other religion.
Kevin was Papa, mama's and the children’s driver. He only listened to papa’s orders. When the children took too long to get to the car after school or spent more time at Papa-Nnukwu house then the time papa gave them, Kevin would report it to Papa immediately. Kevin was another person that papa controlled.
Ade Coker Worked for Papa, being the writer for Standard. He was a family man. Ade wrote facts about the government no matter the consequences. Papa had to get him back from the guards because exposed the corrupt government. Later in the novel Ade faces an unfortunate consequence for his writing.
Celestine the driver for the family after Momma let Kevin go.
This is a very good way of making a summary of characters. I really enjoyed reading it. Thanks everybody.
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