Structure/genre

Question 1

Structure

Answer 1

• The structure of the novel is non-chronological, opening on Palm Sunday before flashing back over the course of several months and then forward by 3 years
• The opening establishes the toxic family relations from the outset, somewhat foreshadowing Papa’s death (e.g. the rash)
• Opening with such a pivotal moment also helps to build tension and engage the reader
• The 3-year gap helps to provide a sense of resolution and allows the reader to gain insight into the development of the characters, while also demonstrating the long-term impact of Papa’s abuse

Question 2

Form

Answer 2

• The way the reader experiences tension is always through Kambili’s narration
• Kambili often doesn’t register strong emotion because she ahs been desensitized to the violence she has endured and thus silences herself. Her muted reaction to certain moments (e.g. Papa’s violence) is often shocking to the reader, adding another layer of disturbance
• Climaxes are marked by tonal shifts
• The limited omniscience of the first person narration amplifies the suddenness of Papa’s death (Kambili was in Nsukka and didn’t know what was happening in Enugu)
• The ending seems hollow, with Kambili’s ‘blossoming’ starkly contrasting Jaja and Mama’s obvious trauma, raising suspicions in the reader about Kambili’s state of mind and the reliability of her narration