Why doesn’t Kambili have many friends at school?

Kambili has a difficult time making friends because the control she’s subjected to at home has stunted her social-emotional growth. She is standoffish with her classmates because she’s always on guard, trying to say or do the right thing. Additionally, she has to rush home after school to follow her father’s schedule, meaning she cannot linger to make conversation with her peers. The other girls interpret her quick departure as her being snobby because her father is a man of wealth and importance.

Why does Eugene forbid Kambili and Jaja from spending time with their Papa-Nnukwu?

Eugene is a strict Catholic who believes that sin is easily transferred to others. Because Papa-Nnukwu refuses to convert to Catholicism, he is a heathen in Eugene’s eyes, doomed to burn in hell and inherently a corrupting force in the world. Eugene believes that Kambili and Jaja even being near Papa-Nnukwu will lead them astray from Catholic doctrine. We see the literal nature of his belief in how he blames Jaja being in the same house with Papa-Nnukwu for Jaja’s desire for privacy. Instead, it’s clear Jaja’s rebellion comes from experiencing Aunty Ifeoma’s respectful parenting that allows for privacy.

Why must Aunty Ifeoma leave Nigeria?

The military dictatorship in charge of Nigeria begins to crack down on academic freedom, targeting university professors and students. Despite the danger, Aunty Ifeoma refuses to appease those in power to protect her job. In retaliation, the university administration accuses Aunty Ifeoma of organizing student demonstrations and then fires her for illegal activity. Faced with no prospect of continuing her academic career in Nigeria, Aunty Ifeoma, Amaka, Obiora, and Chima leave for the United States.

Why does Beatrice poison Eugene?

Beatrice poisons Eugene to protect herself and her children from Eugene’s violence without facing the social and financial consequences of leaving her husband. She begins poisoning Eugene after he makes her miscarry for the second time in the novel. Not being able to have more children has caused Beatrice shame in the community, and yet, every time she is able to conceive, Eugene destroys the baby. During the conversation with Aunty Ifeoma after this attack, Beatrice emphasizes that she has nowhere to go if she leaves Eugene. With the full context, it becomes clear that this fear pushes her to poison Eugene.

Why does Kambili still offer masses for Eugene at the end?

The end of the novel demonstrates the complexity of Kambili’s love for her father. While alive, Eugene is the center of Kambili’s world. She obeys his orders not only out of fear but because she desires her father’s affection and approval. Although her nightmares often express her fear of her father, Kambili's waking dreams of him reaching out to hug her demonstrate how she misses her father’s love. Honoring her father at a Catholic Church, a place where he was loved and respected by the community, is a small way she can honor her complex feelings toward him.

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