Growing a Sense of Responsibility

Growing a Sense of Responsibility

“Purple Hibiscus” is a novel by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie that explores the story of Kambili Achike, a young girl growing up in Nigeria. Kambili’s family is wealthy but is dominated by her father, Eugene, an extremely religious and oppressive figure. Eugene is both respected in the community and feared within his own household. Kambili and her brother, Jaja, endure physical and emotional abuse at the hands of their father, who is driven by his rigid interpretation of Catholicism. The family dynamics start to change when Kambili and Jaja visit their aunt, Ifeoma, and herReview: 'Purple Hibiscus' by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – Not-So-Modern Girl family. In this more liberal and open environment, Kambili experiences a different way of life and begins to question her father’s authority. As political turmoil escalates in Nigeria, Eugene’s strict control over the family increases. The novel explores themes of family, religion, politics, and the impact of colonialism on Nigerian society. Kambili’s journey involves a struggle for self-discovery and autonomy as she navigates the complexities of her family dynamics and the broader social context. As the narrative unfolds, secrets are revealed, and the family faces a crisis that forces Kambili to confront the realities of her father’s actions. The story has a strong exploration of the effects of abuse, the search for identity, and the resilience of the human spirit. “Purple Hibiscus” is a powerful novel that delves into the complexities of Nigerian society while also portraying the theme of personal growth and the act of taking responsibility.

 

In “Purple Hibiscus” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Kambili takes responsibility by gradually breaking free from the oppressive influence of her father, Eugene, who is a strict and abusive figure. Her pursuit involves finding her own voice and identity, challenging the rigid rules imposed by her father, and embracing love and freedom. However, this pursuit also involves compromises, asHow to Persuade and Influence People to Achieve Personal Power Kambili must navigate the complexities of family loyalty and the impact of her father’s actions on her relationships. As the novel progresses Kambili’s relationship with her Aunt and cousins strengthens as she experiences true love and companionship. When she got out of her father’s control for a few days, she started to have a slow change in her voice too. In the beginning of her cousin and Aunt’s encounter, she was quiet and shy. Later on Kambili’s aunt pushed Kambali to talk back saying “ Kamabili, have you no mouth? Talk back to her” This is a significant step in breaking free from the silence imposed by her oppressive father.

 

 

Additionally, when she is back from her aunt’s home, Kabili begins to experience a prominent shift in her personality as she starts to grow a sense of responsibility. Prior to visiting, she was incredibly unsociable and often suppressed her own thoughts and desires. However, upon return she begins to develop a uniqueChanging Faces of Type: Understanding Personality Shifts & “Identity Crises” personality and worries less about the consequences that may face her. She begins to take more risks, doing things that she previously would not have even fathomed pursuing in fear of her dad’s disapproval such as bringing home a painting of her grandfather who is a heathen. She allows her personality to blossom like the purple hibiscus flower which symbolizes freedom.  Kambali evolves into a young woman by recognizing the importance of personal responsibility in shaping her identity and future.

Being Trapped in a Digital and Social Cave

Being Trapped in a Digital and Social Cave

Plato’s allegory of the cave illustrates the difference between the world of appearance vs. reality. The text depicts prisoners enclosed in a dark cave, facing a wall where shadows are cast by a fire behind them. These prisoners mistake the shadows for reality as they have never experienced the external view of the world. Plato portrays a prisoner to be freed from the cave and is exposed to the world outside the cave. The individual is disoriented and blinded by the newfound sunlight. As time passes, the individual gains more insight of the external world and has a greater understanding of reality. The freed prisoner realizes the fire and shadows were not the real world. Inspired by this, he decided to tell his fellow prisoners who were unaware of the natural worldPlato's Allegory of the Cave: A Simple Intro. & Interpretation - Arts of  Thought about this new discovery. However, when he re-enters the cave, he is blinded by its darkness as he has gotten used to the natural sunlight. The chained prisoners see this blindness and believe they too will be harmed if they attempt to leave the cave. Ultimately, the Allegory of the Cave by Plato serves as a powerful metaphor for the journey of conformity, enlightenment, and the importance of questioning the limits of our perception. 

 

I can deeply relate to this text as I have been liberated from the darkness of the several caves before. In society, we often find ourselves trapped in what can be described as a digital cave, dominated by the era of the internet. From my own life, I recall the days spent submerged in social media, scrolling through seemingly perfect images and filtered moments. Each photo on social media created a new shadow on the wall, creating a false need for me to achieve an unnatural level of perfection and belonging. Despite this,Trapped in a digital world. Nomophobia is defined as the fear of… | by  Emily Prosser | Digital Society | Medium there were moments when I questioned the world of social media. Similar to the prisoner who glimpses a world of truth, I began to realize the reality of the digital realm. The carefully crafted reels and the constant need for validation made me want to match the near to impossible ideas shown online. This can be tied to the shadows in the cave, holding the prisoners back. As my eyes adjusted to beyond just the screen’s glare, just like the prisoner exposed to the sunlight, I realized how genuine and imperfect the nature of the world is.

 

I recall a specific instance where a friend of mine posted her luxurious vacation to Mexico on Instagram. Even though I was doing well earlier that day, seeing her post made me insecure about my own life. Being in Calgary that day made me wish I was in Mexico also vacationing like her. Rather than appreciate the beautiful day in my own city, I was envisioning myself spending time somewhere else simply due to something a friend had shared on social media. To my surprise, when my friend came back from her trip she said she hated it. She told me she was only posting to let people know she was gone. This allowed me to realize that young people of this generation are so hardwired to post on social media for external validation. They seek happiness from the likes and comments their peers give them and often forget to truly live in the moment and appreciate what they have. 

 

Customer Perception is Reality (For Your Customers) - J&E Media Corp

We often have a preconceived notion surrounding particular hobbies or interests. Oftentimes we do not realize what we have been missing out on until we actually get the opportunity to try it. For instance, growing up I would see my grandmother knit all the time. I used to think that what she was doing was quite boring. As a consequence, I had this negative idea that knitting was only associated with elderly people and would not be something I would enjoy. However, one day I had to try knitting for an elementary school activity. Initially hesitant I slowly realized that I actually loved knitting. I enjoyed the tranquility and peacefulness of the process. This made me realize the importance of trying new things at least once. It is often impossible to know whether we will enjoy or hate something without actually experiencing it. Since then, I have been significantly more open-minded towards new hobbies and interests, even if they do not seem appealing at first.

 

Similar to Plato’s cave, humans can often find themselves limited to their own cave of comforts. Without the desire to leave this cave and try new things, we are limited in our worldview and perspectives. Uncomfort is often associated with negativity, however, without experiencing it we can never be certain of what we will gain. In conclusion, I have found myself trapped in a digital and social cave. By leaving these dark spaces, I was able to gain a broader understanding of life. It taught me to truly appreciate everything the world had to offer and to expand my horizons in terms of innovative ideas and knowledge. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Citations

Plato’s Allegory of the Cave: A Simple Intro. & Interpretation

https://medium.com/digital-society/trapped-in-a-digital-world-ca8772315624

https://www.jemediacorp.com/customer-perception-is-reality/

How To Use PR To Change Perceptions

 

 

Learning to Embrace Change

Learning to Embrace Change

No matter how insignificant change can be, it is inevitable for everyone. It can have a considerable influence on one’s life. Throughout life, growth and transformation are unavoidable as one gains wisdom and experiences new things. Change does not only shape an individual’s identity but also molds their perspectives and how they perceive the world around them. Through her poem “In Progress”, Christina Rossetti shows readers the power of maturity and the personal growth that often follows. The poem portrays an individual Personal growth: How to prepare ourselves and embrace itundergoing a drastic transformation over a decade. Rossetti emphasizes how this individual had an identity shift, one that she never previously envisioned having. This poem provided imagery of the subject’s transition as she became more calm and collected. This was suggested in the quote, “Silent with long-unbroken silences”. Additionally, this may indicate that the subject is growing older and feels that her life is less thrilling than it once was. With the line “Mindful of drudging daily common things”, Rosetti implies that the individual is becoming bored of the repetitive and mundane tasks that occupy her daily life. The author also writes the following lines, “Her head shoot forth seven stars from where they lurk; And her eyes lightnings and her shoulders wings.” The part about her wings may suggest that the individual is embracing her age. I believe that the author views this in an optimistic manner where the subject is soaring through life. 

 

 

After reading the poem “In Progress” by Christina Rossetti,”  I was truly inspired by the captivating message in her words. I was touched by various aspects uncovered such as unanticipated developments, self-acceptance, and the overall personal growth that one undergoes as time passes. I was initially scared of aging, as I was not sure whether it would result in positive or negative changes. This poem made me realize that although aging has uncertainty attached to it, it can still be beautiful due to the valuable lessons it may teach. Aging is a process I will never be able to The Fundamentals of Change Orders in Constructionescape, so I hope to gain wisdom and maturity like the character in the poem. 

 

 

 

 

I can relate to the message in this poem, as I myself have undergone drastic personal changes over time. A relevant situation is when I moved schools. For most of my life prior I had been at one school. I had learned to be comfortable with my same group of friends and teachers. When I switched schools to FFCA, my life changed drastically. I was no longer around people I had grown up with, and knew nobody at my new school. Although it was a struggle initially, I learned to become more sociable and outgoing. This allowed me to make new friends and build connections with others. My situation reminds me of the poem as the subject herself experiences a transition in her own personality similar to how I did. 

 

 

The New Aging | City Journal

In conclusion, this poem underscores the significance of personal growth through time. Rossetti suggests that time often leads to alterations in one’s personality. Although filled with surprises, the journey of life can be filled with positivity and joy. Changes that occur may be appreciated and should not be feared. Life should be utilized as an opportunity for self-reflection, resilience, and the personal growth that follows. I hope to use the powerful lessons that Rosetti fills this poem with to guide my own journey through life.

 

 

 

 

 

Citations

The Fundamentals of Change Orders in Construction

https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/610/227859.html

https://www.city-journal.org/article/the-new-aging