Amaka

Question 1

Connection to Nigeria and her roots

Answer 1

• During their first moment alone, Amaka says, ‘They’ree culturally conscious; they have something real to say.’
• Amaka worries, ‘How will I get my Felka tapes in America, eh?’
• Hugs Kambili and calls her , ‘nwanne m nwanvi - my sister’
• ‘After we said the last Hail Mary my head snapped back when I heard the raised, melodious voice. Amaka was singing!’ (In Igbo)

Question 2

Transition from distance

Answer 2

• When in Amaka’s room, Kambili comments on how she ‘wished that she would stop looking at me as if I were a strange laboratory animal to be explained and catalogued.’
  Amaka tells Kambili ‘I’m sure you think Nsukka is uncivilised’ and assumed Kambili goes to the ‘happening places’ and asks, ‘You go there all the time, don’t you?’
• Kambili finally speaks out saying, ‘You don’t have to shout, Amaka’ I said finally. ‘I don’t know how to do the Orah leaves, but you can show me.’ and Amaka comments, ‘So your voice can be this loud, Kambili’ beefier the two spend time preparing Orah.
• Amaka ‘blinked rapidly… to keep more tear back’ as Kambili and Jaja leave. She ‘ pressed … the unfinished painting of Papa Nnukwu’
• Kambili explains how , ‘the old discomfort is gone.’ and after admitting her feelings for Father Amadi, says, ‘It felt easy saying that, letting the words roll of my tongue.’

Question 3

Desire to fight for Nigeria and her own beliefs

Answer 3

• When Obiora brings up the move to America after the men raid Ifeoma’s house, Amaka voices her opinion, saying, ‘Why do we have to run away from our country? Why can’t we fix it?’ And he voice it described as ‘shrill’.
• As Amaka refuses to take up a white confirmation name, she questions Father Amadi asking, ‘Shouldn’t we be moving ahead?’ and explains how Igbo names carry as much meaning. She says, ‘Don’t they all glorify God as much as ‘Paul’ and ‘Peter’ and ‘Simon’?’
• During the last chapter, Amaka, ‘used to write the office of the Head of State, even the Nigerian Ambassador in America, to complain about the poor state of Nigeria’s justice system’ and when a magazine criticises the sightings of the Virgin Mary at Aokpe, ‘Amaka said she had written the magazine to tell them what she thought. I expected no less, of course.’

Question 4

Contrast to Kambili

Answer 4

• Kambili is drawn by Amaka’s lipstick commenting, ‘She was wearing lipstick, a different shade that was more red than brown.’ and is happy to stand in front of Kambili in her underwear.
• Kambili explains how, ‘Papa Nnukwu complained she would make his feet to soft … but he did not ask Amaka to stop’ and Kambili says she, ‘scrubbed his feet gently.’
• ## When Amaka arrives at their house, Kambili explains how, ‘It seemed so unlikely that we were the same age, fifteen. She seemed to much older, or maybe it was he striking resemblance to Aunty Ifeoma or the way she stared me right in the eyes.’