The central core that is being cornered all throughout the novel is the courses in which religious feelings are being mishandled inciting to have a negative impact on the whole family.
Religion is the sole reason for purpose in society, without people having something to believe in, like a greater good or a greater evil for that matter, there will be no purpose for a person. Yes, there are theists but they still believe, not believe in God but believe in the fact that there is no God. Religion is nothing but keeping up your faith high in something and carrying a centuries-old tradition which creates a specific way in which people behave well just so they arrive in heaven and bypass the depths of hell.
Due to strong belief system, there are many strong completion and limitations implemented on one’s life which can either have a positive or negative impact on their daily life. Throughout the novel, Kambili and Jaja dependably followed up on the expressions of their dad and didn’t have the voice to try and step forward for them to process anything independent from anyone else. They both were snared while tolerating his dad’s standards, didn’t recognize what life was about outside of the bubble.
The principal line of activity is started by Jaja’s refusal to go for communion. It creates with Papa’s response that outcomes in the breaking of Mama’s figurines. The activity and response release a billow of hush and tension that is uplifted by Papa’s fussiness, which is a result of an enthusiast Catholicism. As Kambili tells us, “when Papa threw the missal at Jaja, it was not just the figurines that came tumbling down, it was everything”. “Lay in bed and let her mind rake through the past through the years when Jaja and Mama and I spoke more with our spirits than with our lips.” (15–16). In light of this, it is anything but difficult to see that Jaja’s disobedience which showed as his refusal to go to the communion, is accelerated by the occasions of those times of hush of quieted collaboration as they talked with “our spirits”. Religion in this novel apparently has advanced from man’s association with his God but utilized as a device for brutality.
Kambili started having a strong belief with the connection between God and nature which was taught by Mama; ‘Mama used to tell Jaja and me that God was undecided about what to send, rain or sun. We would sit in our rooms and look out at the raindrops glinting with sunlight, waiting for God to decide.’ Her home is in Enugu, however having tasted a more freed way of life in Nsukka, she feels conflicted about her future. Despite the fact that she worships Papa yet does not want to live in his shadow. Regardless of the way that she doesn’t understand diverse standard organizations outside of Igbo tune, she draws parallels with the Catholic God and Chukwu. As God made the world and is unpreventable, Chukwu made the earth and is related everything in it Kambili is undecided as well.
Eugene was among the first to come into contact with the European ministers. All together for them to go to class it was mandatory to change over into Christians, therefore Eugene and a significant parcel of his companions did as he considers the indicating so imperative that he blames all routine with respect to his nearby religion, and winds up obviously restless and pompous. As per him, religion is everything. Faultlessness is the target. He recognizes completely faultlessness from himself or his family. Each time they slip, he rebukes them.
Precisely the sum he repels himself is up to the scrutinize to find. We have left reasoning about how significant the wounds go, and who we should pull for. Adichie examines how Christianity creates individuals who shun their own traditional beliefs and at the same time oppress those close to them, by drawing analogies between Christianity and Traditional African Religion. Eugene is at loggerheads with his father Papa-Nnukwu whom he calls a heathen because of his beliefs.
Although he is known for his generosity and philanthropic work for the poor, widowed, orphaned and disabled, Eugene does not give a hoot about his father’s welfare, neither does he visit him nor allow him into his two abodes; the rural and urban; all because he refuses to be converted to Christianity. He only allows his children 15-minute visits to their grandfather’s compound which is just five minutes away from their Abba home; with strict instructions that they should not touch or eat anything.Because of his hard-handedness, he is reminded by his sister that he “has to stop doing God’s job. God is big enough to do his own job. If God will judge our father for choosing to follow the way of our ancestors, then let God do the judging.” However, Eugene’s extremism cannot allow him to be rational.To him, Christianity is not about rejoicing or exposing exuberant enthusiasm; it is a serious thing, calling for seriousness at all times.
Laughter does not ring in his house, and his children, Jaja and Kambili, as well as his wife Beatrice, are always subdued; and cannot even speak in raised voices or smile. Failure to adhere to strict Catholic regulations or becoming second in anything, school included, is punishable.Reaching to the end of the novel, we get to see that both Kambili and Jaja have seen a better picture of what the real world is about after visiting their aunt, but still have the fragrance of their dad’s scent being immune upon them and therefore it’s hard for them to adjust to the new environment being set for them. Even though Kambili has become a girl who was able to stand up for herself and carry her decisions with her, the religious practices have still been implemented. She has bloomed into a beautiful flower and is not afraid to shine and reveal the striking colors that she has hidden from the past years.
‘Kambili is right,’ she said. ‘Something from God was happening there.’ (Aunty Ifeoma, Page 275). Aunty Ifeoma sees that Father Amadi is taking a glimpse at Kambili before she says this. Kambili resembles another young lady. She is certain and glad, blooming in the consideration of her auntie’s family and furthermore Father Amadi. Her transitioning, finish with her pulverize, has been a blessing from God. Despite the fact that she didn’t see the nebulous vision, Aunty Ifeoma saw new life in her niece.
Albeit numerous Igbos are Christians, conventional Igbo religion advances the presence of god maker, earth goddess or precursors, who go about as defenders of their living relatives. With more established ages who have a solid confidence in God, they may begin to urge the more youthful age to not do specific things and make a scriptural reference to show them what they are doing isn’t right since God said so which thus will make the youngster not liberal. These prompting emotions concealed dissatisfaction, not have the opportunity and will have a drive to revolt.
