Author: Pallavi Das

Abstract: This seminar paper explores the multifaceted oppression of women in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Purple Hibiscus (2003), examining how religious, postcolonial, and patriarchal forces intersect to silence and marginalize female characters. Set in postcolonial Nigeria, the novel portrays a society grappling with the residues of colonial rule, where Western religious ideologies and traditional gender hierarchies together reinforce systemic subjugation. This paper explores the discourses, worldviews, and values presented in Purple Hibiscus, offering a critical examination of patriarchy, colonialism, and sexism. It will provide fresh insights into Adichie’s portrayal of radical female characters and their traumatic journeys toward liberation within patriarchal and post-patriarchal contexts. The paper critically examines the female characters, highlighting how their identities and autonomy are suppressed by religious dogma, patriarchal expectations, and the sociopolitical aftermath of colonialism. Through a feminist and postcolonial lens, it shows how Adichie not only critiques these oppressive structures but also foregrounds female resilience and the subtle forms of resistance that emerge within constrained spaces. Ultimately, the paper argue that Purple Hibiscus serves as a powerful narrative of both suffering and liberation, offering a nuanced commentary on the complex dynamics of power, gender, and culture in contemporary African society.

Keywords: Patriarchy, Religion, Domestic Violence, Paternal Authority, Women's Liberation.

Article Info: Received: 14 Jun 2025; Received in revised form: 08 Jul 2025; Accepted: 11 Jul 2025; Available online: 16 Jul 2025

DOI: 10.22161/ijels.104.25