The Psychological Impact of Domestic Violence on Teenage Development in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Purple Hibiscus

Abstract

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s novel Purple Hibiscus shows how Kambili and Jaja, two teenage siblings, ultimately develop a tendency to combat their psychological tensions in a domestically abused environment under the God-like dictatorship of their father. Their father’s extremely imposing attitude induces anxiety in both teenagers while subjugating their necessary freedom.  The research focuses on the development of both siblings as adolescents, as adolescence is an important phase of life in developing a person’s individuality. The work attempts to show the necessary transition in both siblings, Kambili and Jaja, leading to a healthy growth process as they display defiance to overcome the psychologically traumatic experience.