Explore how Kambili shows a search for herself, linking the extract to purple hibiscus as a wholeA search for self in my opinion is the idea of an individual discovering what they want truly and discovers your true identity of what makes you individual, building your identity and choosing which paths to follow. For Kambili, the search for self is a journey that comes from being at her aunts' house in Nsukka, whose lifestyle inspires Kambili and Jaja to reconsider their upbringing. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Kambili's admiration for Father Amadi is the focus of the piece, and we find out firsthand what Kambili feels, giving us a more reliable account of her thoughts. This is true throughout the novel, Adichie uses the form and structure of an autobiography almost as if Kambili is the narrator, allowing us to truly know her thoughts and feelings towards the other characters, in this passage it is Father Amadi. Kambili shows self-searching as she is at the age where she begins to find members of the opposite sex attractive and due to her strict upbringing, this is something she feels is wrong because she shouldn't feel, "I didn't look down on her tank top on my lap” suggests that she feels too guilty to even look at Father Amadi's undershirt that he gave her. Kambili's use of descriptive language also shows how she is studying Father Amadi's body in a lustful manner, "The upper body is naked, her shoulders were a broad square" tells us that Kambili is looking closely at his body , as well as this rhyming quote which I think suggests that Kambili is so lovestruck by Father Amadi that she is speaking in rhyme. The use of similes reinforces Kambili's admiration for Father Amadi, "like a rooster in charge of all the chickens in the neighborhood" and "his voice was softer than that of the singer on the tape." Kambili's change in personality around Father Amadi is also prevalent in the passage where we see a distinct change in her personality before her journey to Nsukka. Kambili has always been a socially awkward girl who has difficulty talking to new people or in front of large groups. An example of this is on page 48, "I opened my mouth but the words did not come out", this is when Kambili is asked to recite the school promise that she knows but her social anxiety prevents her from speaking. Father Amadi is able to bring Kambili out of her shell and converse with her, she even feels comfortable enough to ask him why he became a priest, which is in complete contrast to his usual family meals where she or Jaja do not they are allowed to ask questions. as they want. I believe this change in confidence shown by Kambili is a big step in her search for self. “I nodded even though I didn't remember” shows that Kambili is almost so mesmerized by Father Amadi's company that she instinctively nods just to agree with what he is talking about, this nodding shows a different personality trait than the nodding that Kambili ago while music is playing in the car: "I nodded in time with the chorus", this type of nodding shows that Kambili feels comfortable enough to express herself, something we see little of before this moment due to her harsh parental rule . Another physical trait that changes and plays a huge role in Kambili's self-finding is that she begins to smile and laugh. When she was at home with her family she never had any real reason to smile, however since she went to visit her aunt Ifeoma, who is often characterized by having a long characteristic laugh, Kambili begins to inherit the traits.
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