Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's novel Purple Hibiscus describes the life of a teenager, Kambili, growing up in Nigeria. In the novel, Adichie uses two main settings to effectively describe the themes of freedom, silence and repression. The two settings used in the novel are Kambili's hometown in Enugu and another small town, Nsukka, where Kambili's aunt and cousins ​​live. The contrasts between the settings are surprising. In Enugu, Kambili, her brother Jaja, and her mother all face oppression from their father. Teenagers over there don't know what freedom is and everything they do is determined by dad. However, in Nsukka, both Kambili and her brother finally discover what freedom truly is and, through this, find themselves again. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Contrasts Between Settings in “Purple Hibiscus” The city of Enugu is a large cosmopolitan city devoted to government affairs and commerce. Kambili's father, Eugene, is an important figure in Nigeria and dominates his home using harsh punishments and strict guidelines. The house is filled with an oppressive silence that symbolizes the family's inability to communicate with each other or express themselves. Even during dinner, the family sits and eats in silence or speaks briefly in short, intense bursts. They constantly worry about their father's reaction. Furthermore, Kambili and Jaja are ruled by routine. Eugene made out their schedules for each day and also dictated what they should do with their free time. Also plan your study time. Jaja and Kambili are expected to rank first in their classes every term, and they often do so "because we were afraid of what would happen if we didn't." Kambili's home in Enugu is a place of oppressive rules and fear, and Kambili grew up without speaking or thinking for herself. Even at school Kambili is afraid to speak. She's afraid to talk to girls and that's why girls think she's a snob. One girl told her, “You know, she started calling you a playground snob because you don't talk to anyone.” When Kambili's aunt arrives, she manages to convince Eugene to let Kambili and Jaja come to his house. When they arrive they are both a little shy and don't know what to expect. Furthermore, the “cold damp” of the Achike house in Enugu is strongly contrasted with the warm and lively atmosphere of Auntie Ifeoma's apartment in Nsukka. They tell their aunt that their father had given them timetables to follow during the day. Then Aunt Ifeoma said to them: “I will keep them for you until you leave. If you don't tell Eugene, huh, how will he know you didn't stick to the schedule? This is their first taste of freedom. Also during their visit, they are introduced to purple hibiscus, which they have never seen before. This turns out to be a huge symbol in the book. At home they had only seen red hibiscus, which symbolized violence and anger. These purple hibiscus would serve as a symbol of self-expression and a symbol of Kambili and Jaja's growth and their journey to break free from their suffocating lifestyle: “Jaja's challenge seemed to me now like Auntie Ifeoma's experimental purple hibiscus: rare , scented with the nuances of freedom… A freedom to be, to do”. Their time in Nsukka gives them a chance to expand their characters and learn what freedom truly is. The second setting: Aunty's house in Nsukka The atmosphere in Aunty Ifeoma's house is very different from that of Enugu. In Nsukka, Ifeoma encourages her children to challenge each other and her. Everyone is free to have their own opinion. Unlike in Enugu, talking is relaxed and pleasant, and it's something that Kambili's cousins ​​feel much more comfortable with.