Purple Hibiscus, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Essay Prompts
The following prompts ask you to make an argument based upon your reading and analysis of Purple Hibiscus. Please select one of the following prompts and compose an argument, using details and quotes from the text to support and defend your points. Your essay should use appropriate citation and be approximately 900 to 1,000 words.
- Watch Adichie’s TEDtalk: “The Danger of a Single Story” How would you respond to the assertion that Purple Hibiscus avoids the pitfall of the single story? Be sure to consider how your argument connects to or differs from other perspectives on this issue, and to incorporate multiple pieces of evidence from the TEDtalk and the novel. In your conclusion, consider the implications Adichie’s story-telling strategy.
- What is Adichie’s perspective on defiance? Describe and critically examine the theme of defiance in Purple Hisbiscus by comparing multiple viewpoints (e.g., different characters, different levels of power, different cultural interpretations). You need to incorporate multiple pieces of evidence in your argument. In your conclusion, consider the implications of defiance “used right” in Kambili’s world.
The Writing Center has organized an essay contest! Those students who submit the strongest essays will be invited to attend special events during the school year. Submissions need to be Word or PDF documents, with the student’s last name as the document title, and a full name and email address listed at the top of the page.
Please submit your essay to the following two web locations by August 24th (International student deadline September 4th):
1. Upload it to your Advising Portfolio on the Research and Writing tab
2. Submit your essay to the Essay Contest, you will need your Wooster username and password: Essay Contest Submissions