Comparative Essay Example: Purple Hibiscus and Indian Horse

Purple Hibiscus written by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie in 2013 and Indian Horse was written by Richard Wagamese also in 2013. These are two novels that tell stories which are very much based in their own respective situations, with each novel's events playing out in accordance with its established environment. Furthermore, the author's personal stories are seemingly separated by not only a physical distance, but a cultural one as well. On the surface a clear cut and perhaps almost redundant observation. Through the very cerebral and tumultuous premises they are already very different experiences. One novel details the journey of a First Nations boy being ripped from his family to be placed in a residential school. The other being about the familial perils and abuse that a young Nigerian girl faces from her religious father. That being said, in hitting the brakes and boiling the stories down to the core, it is clear that the duo are driving in tandem to a similar philosophical destination. A common theme, in short. That theme being: colonialism often influences, determines and forces an individual to take on a specific identity. However, how do they demonstrate the effects of these colonial influences on the protagonists of each novel and how are they similar? The effects are demonstrated through main protagonists journeys of self-discovery towards their true selves (In regards to their heritage and personal experiences) and simultaneously trying to escape from oppressive colonial entities that threaten their personal growth. Application of this point is reflected through three major similarities in regards to how the two authors used their own individual storytelling style. Firstly, there is the influence of the parental and authority figures in both novels, who are all practically colonial products or influenced by them. Furthermore, there is the perilous choice that both main characters must make of whether they give in too societal and familial pressures to avoid certain dangers. Finally,  it is highlighted nowhere more clearly than both characters attempt at reconnecting with their heritages to in essence propel their personal development without the presence of outside influence.

Firstly, this outside influence manifests itself consistently through the parental and authoritative figures in both novels, characters who are all products or bi-products of colonialism. In Purple Hibiscus we have Papa who forces his beliefs onto his children, with an unyielding and unwavering follow through on his teachings. However, he assures that Kambili will adopt these practices and become a “model catholic daughter” by placing roadblocks to any other perspectives, such as not allowing her to see her traditionally minded grandfather Papa-Nnukwu, instructing her to speak english in public and installing spiritual paranoia in her should she divert from his carefully crafted path. This demonizing of any other avenues she might be interested in  leads to a sense of self-doubt within Kambili of her own internal thoughts. Culminating in a very fraught identity crisis. To complement this point, we also see this influence from authoritative figures in Indian Horse such as Saul's mother Mary. Mary falls under the influence of alcohol, something only available to her due to colonizers bringing alcohol across from Europe. This had a large impact on not only the mother-son dynamic with Saul and his mother, but also on Saul as an individual. Later on, one can see that Saul adopts these same behaviors and begins indulging in alcoholism to cope with his past. So much so that he is forced to go into rehab so that he can avoid any further mental or physical health problems. Ironically, he is self-aware of why he drinks, where it comes from and why he can't seem to stop. Yet he is also aware that he is so disenfranchised from his culture that drinking is the only way he knows to cope. In essence, using products from the white man to cope with the problems that the white man has perpetrated. In short, it is apparent that the authority figures in both these novels have a great influence on our young protagonist’s identities throughout the course of both tales. Furthermore, these influences heavily lean towards western colonial values. A quote that I think perfectly encapsulate and summarizes this point goes as follows “ We had to sound civilized, he told us ; we had to speak english” (Adichie 13), 

In addition, there is the perilous choice that both main characters must make of whether they give in too societal and familial pressures to avoid certain dangers. In Purple Hibiscus, the dangers that create pressure to conform for Kambili are ones that stem from her father. He is a staunchly religious man who does not abide by any hedonistic ideals or messaging. Also, he is not deterred by violence as a means of deterring his children and family from diverging from the righteous path. For example: when his wife feels ill just before entering mass, due to her pregnancy, Eugune beats her until she suffers a miscarige. To be clear, this is not an isolated incident and not something Kambili has not seen or experienced before in regards to being a victim of such violence. Euguene has attached a negative connotation to doing anything that would tarnish the will of the cathloc church. Now this forces Kambili to make a decision in regards to who she will present to the world, and who she really is on the inside. In continuation, there is the ultimatum that is presented to Saul during his time at a residential school. As a witness of several forms of abuse from the staff and the clergy, he adopts then the standardized social persona that the school was looking for. Moreover, it is clear that for Saul that this is not so much a choice but a position that was forced on him. It was obvious what certain individualistic or non conformist behaviors would lead to, so his identity changed to ensure his survival. Even adopting hockey as his pastime in an effort to “blend in”. In short, the two main protagonists are presented with a choice  to comfrom and change their identities or face the consequences.

Finally, the presence of colonial influence on character’s identities is in its clearest form when they endeavor to reconnect with their heritages to propel their personal development. To begin, there is Kambili’s journey to reconnecting with her legacy, mainly through her relationship with her cousin Amaka and her grandfather Papa-Nnukwu. Throughout the novel, the relationship between Kambili and Amaka is strenuous due Kambili not possessing her own identity, moreover that she is so distanced from the culture that Amaka is connected too. However, there is a subconscious goal that Kambili sets for herself to get closer and in fact understand her cousin. She is burdened with the fact she is not equipped to interact and empathize with someone like Amaka, therefore this jet starts her detoxification of her colonial mindset. Furthermore, there is the initial self rebirth and the subsequent death of her old person she experiences through her relationship and subsequent death of her grandfather. His death in tandem with the destruction of his likeness in the form of a portrait really reinforces the desire in Kambili to reinvent herself. In fact, it is a form of recapturing her true self. In summary, there is an effort from the protagonist to rediscover and reinvent herself away from nefarious influences. 

To recapitulate the original point: colonialism guides, shapes and solidifies a very specific type of individual. One that abstains from any irregularity in western teachings and culture. Once more, there are the parents and role models who are simply conduits of colonialism. They mold the next generation into continuing to adopt a certain identity. Furthermore, there is the ultimate ultimatum that both main protagonists must ponder whether they capitulate in the face of societal coercions. . Finally, there is the treacherous journey that both principal figures undergo to find their heritage and reconnect with who they once were. One can find similarities with real life counterparts, with many First Nations people today in Canada still struggling to recapture their culture and all the traditions that come with it. Whether that be through things like Pow wows or any other means, to this day many First Nations people live in poverty and have no connection to their past. Furthermore they cope with this lack of identity by means of alcoholism and worse. So as a nation, the least that can be done is promote, fund and celebrate First Nations culture.