Essay Two Topic Tryouts

·      Safe Topic:

o   For a safe topic I would compare the grandmother from “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” to Eugene in “Purple Hibiscus.” In a Good Man is hard to find the grandmother is the center of family’s downfall, similar to how Eugene seems to be the creator of the problems in his family. I would relate these characters by showing examples of how they are both close-minded and selfish. The grandmother tries to selfishly bring the family close by taking them on a road trip to a place of her choice. In comparison, I would take specific moments from “Purple Hibiscus” when the Eugene tries to selfishly bring his family together, when in reality they are never able to enjoy their time because the children are terrified of him.

·      Likely Topic:

o    Compare and contrast Amaka and Kambili. Amaka, the child of Aunty Ifeoma is encouraged to question authority unlike Kambili. Kambili is restricted by authority and will be punished if she chooses to question it. She lives under the fear of her father and is unable to create an identity of her own because she lives on such a rigid schedule every single day. Amaka and Kambili lead such different lives due to their upbringings. Amaka is under the impression that Kambili is a snob because she does not participate in chores around the house hold. Simliar to how her classmates treat her when she immediately runs straight to her fathers car after class. In this essay I would also talk about how these characters evolve throughout the novel. Kambili starts off and stays a very quite character for much of the novel because of her fear and respect of her father. But when Aunty Ifeoma starts to expose her to more things she understands the way Amaka acts much more and begins to relate to her. When she is able to spend more time with Papa-Nnukwu she starts to understand that they aren’t different. Although, she is still punished from this, we see Kambili growing more of her own identity. After Papa catches her looking at the painting of Papa he beats her very badly, but this time it doesn’t stop her. When she is well enough she goes to Nsukka instead of home.

·      Risky Topic:

o   As a risky option, I might try and compare both of children in “Purple Hibiscus” to the child in “The Trespasser.” All of these characters play scared and innocent roles in the stories they are in. In the trespasser the daughter is very scared when she sees what has happened to her cabin, but her emotions are still very innocent. The daughter isn’t able to realize how dark of a situation it is.  Similarly the children are very afraid of their father, but it comes from an innocent stand point. Because he is still their father, they must obey and respect him(for the most part). What the children don’t understand is how detrimental this treatment could be in the future. I specifically want to focus on innocence with this topic. I can look at how and when innocence is lost and if it ever is lost in these children during the stories. Both Kambili and Jaja take steps away from their innocence and claim their individuality as they are exposed to new things throughout the novel.  I will take specific moments of the childrens interactions with their father in “Purple Hibiscus.”