Blog Post #14: Potential Paper Topics

[SAFE] 1. compare Eugene's family to Aunty Ifeoma's family
The difference in the dynamic of Eugene's family and Aunty Ifeoma's family is very noticeable. Eugene's household is completely controlled by Eugene, a powerful, religious man, which Ifeoma's is run by a liberal, open-minded woman. Furthermore, Kambili and Jaja are living with both parents, while Ifeoma's children are only living with one. These factors affect the way the children act as they grow up. Under their father's strict rules, Kambili and Jaja are quiet and scared to speak up or question anything. Ifeoma's kids, however, question everything, and are far more outgoing than Kambili and Jaja.

[LIKELY] 2. compare Kambili's relationship with Jaja to her relationship with Amaka
Both Jaja and Amaka are sibling figures to Kambili, Jaja is actually her brother, and Amaka is her cousin on her father's side. The three are also close in age. I think it would be interesting to compare Kambili's relationships with them because even though she has just started getting close to Amaka, her relationship with Amaka is much different than her relationship with Jaja. With Jaja, it's more like camaraderie. Jaja is older than Kambili, but he acts more like an equal than an older brother. They try and take care of each other, especially against their father. Amaka, however, acts more like an older sibling, even though she is the same age as Kambili. She pushes Kambili to be better and to stand up for herself; she provides someone to look up to and to emulate.

[RISKY] 3. compare Beatrice to the girl from "Tomorrow Is Too Far"
Both Beatrice and the girl essentially killed people and didn't feel guilty about it. Guilt is a common theme among Adichie's stories, and it is especially noticeable in these two characters. What is notable is both characters' lack of guilt. Neither felt guilty for killing because they felt as though it was necessary. Beatrice had to protect her kids, and for the girl, she says that her brother had to die because he was taking up too much space. These two women are similar in their overall situations and motivations.