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When Papa started the prayer, his voice quavered more than usual. He prayed for the food first, then he asked God to forgive those who had tried to thwart His will, who had put selfish desires first and had not wanted to visit His servant after Mass. Mama’s “Amen!” resounded throughout the room.
This moment from Part 2, Speaking with Our Spirits, comes at lunchtime after Beatrice asks to stay in the car instead of visiting Father Benedict. Here we see how Eugene’s moods set the tone for all aspects of life in the household as he makes his displeasure with Beatrice an inescapable part of the family lunch. By including how Beatrice displeased him in the prayer, Eugene passive-aggressively shames her in front of the family and forces both the children and Beatrice herself to cosign this shame with an “amen.”
Kevin had many other chores to do for Papa and I was not allowed to keep him waiting, so I always dashed out of my last class. . . . Once, Kevin told Papa I took a few minutes longer, and Papa slapped my left and right cheeks at the same time.
This quotation comes from Part 2, Speaking with Our Spirits, when Kambili explains to the reader why she doesn’t linger after school to spend time with her classmates. Eugene’s desire to impose order and discipline on his household doesn’t allow Kambili to have any agency over her time, including any opportunity to develop an age-appropriate social life. Eugene’s temper additionally makes the entire household complicit in upholding the status quo. Kevin tells on Kambili not because he himself is upset, but because him being late could have consequences for him that he, dependent on Eugene, could not afford.
Papa-Nnukwu had told the umunna how Papa had offered to build him a house, buy him a car, and hire him a driver, as long as he converted and threw away the chi in the thatch shrine in his yard.
Kambili here explains her family’s estrangement from her Papa-Nnukwu in Part 2, Speaking Our Spirits. Eugene withholds both love and substantial fiscal support from his father because his father won’t convert to Catholicism. As we later see, Papa-Nnukwu is in ill health and should not be living alone, and yet, Eugene makes any assistance contingent on Papa-Nnukwu relinquishing his spiritual independence. This attempt to blackmail Papa-Nnukwu is a form of financial and emotional abuse.
“It’s a little too sweet. It would be nicer if you reduced the sugar in it.” Amaka’s tone was as polite and normal as everyday conversation with an older person. I was not sure if Papa nodded or if his head simply moved as he chewed. Another knot formed in my throat, and I could not get a mouthful of rice down.
This moment from Part 2, Speaking with Our Spirits, contrasts Kambili, who is used to living under her father’s control, with Amaka, who has grown up in a loving household that fosters independence. As the narrator, Kambili emphasizes that Amaka’s behavior is “polite and normal,” something that a non-abusive household would simply accept. This phrasing reveals the abnormality of Kambili’s panic over her father hearing constructive criticism, knowing it could set him off. Eugene’s emotions control the household so totally that normal disagreement is unfathomable.
Jaja shifted on his chair before pulling his schedule out of his pocket. “Aunty, Papa’s schedule says we should study in the evenings; we brought our books.”
Here in Part 2, Speaking with Our Spirits, Jaja awkwardly reveals to Aunty Ifeoma that Eugene expects him and Kambili to continue following their routines even while visiting Nsukka. In giving Jaja and Kambili schedules to bring to Nsukka, Eugene attempts to extend his control far away from their household. The fact that Jaja attempts to follow the schedule while in Aunty Ifeoma’s home demonstrates how he and Kambili have a difficult time imagining life outside of their father’s control. Eugene giving the children schedules also tacitly undermines Aunty Ifeoma’s right to dictate the rules of her own home.
