I think one safe topic I could write about would be the comparison
between the relationship of Kambili and Jaja and the relationship of the
brother and sister in Adichie’s short story Cell
One. It’s really interesting because both of these stories end with the
brother in jail for a crime that he didn’t commit. Yet, the way the sister
views and discusses the brother is different—Cell One’s sister is still questioning her brother, wondering if he
has changed his arrogant behavior at all and if he deserves to be in Jail,
while Kambili knows that her brother
is completely innocent. I would look at the communication within the two
relationships, the way that Kambili and Jaja are continuously connected,
speaking with their eyes, yet at this moment when Jaja is in jail Kambili
thinks that “he will never understand that I do not think [Jaja] should have
done more.” Yet, the brother and sister in Cell
One seem a bit more estranged—there is more tension between them about the
way the brother acts.
A likely topic to write about would be something surrounding Amaka’s
affect on Kambili and also kambili’s behavior before visiting her aunt’s and
cousins/when Amaka confronts Kambili and after Kambili visits—and also why
Amaka has this affect on Kambili. I would look at why Kambili behaves the way
she does in the “first half” of her behavior (How she always wants to please
her father, and how she is considered a “backyard snob”) and then the “second
half” of her behavior after Amaka confronts her and try to understand why Amaka’s
behavior has such a significant impact on her. I also want to explore the way
that Amaka and Eugene have an equally significant place in Kambili’s life, as
they both are so linked to the way Kambili behaves.
One risky topic to write about would be comparing the relationship of
Eugene and Beatrice (that’s the name of Kambili’s mother…right?) and Eugene and
Ifeoma. Both women are constantly influencing Eugene’s life and how he acts and
speaks (Eugene is more abusive to Beatrice while Ifeoma is able to cause Eugene
to change his mind. I would also examine the relationship between the two women
and the way that Beatrice’s actions (poisoning Eugene as well as general
passive behavior) affected her relationship with Ifeoma (and what this ultimately
says about her relationship with Ifeoma).
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ReplyDeleteI agree, it is really interesting to see the sibling relationships in Adichie's stories; it seems that is a topic she really likes to write about, as it is a commonality in many of her stories. I like how you focused the other two possible comparisons on family relationships, also--I'd be really interested to explore how Eugene deals differently with the two women in his life as well! For your likely topic, I would talk about not just Kambili's behavior in the first vs the second part of the story, but also Amaka's behavior, and what made it change; I think it would be cool to see how her behavior almost contrasts Kambili's.
ReplyDeleteI like these ideas. I also tried to focus a little on the family relationships with my topic choices. I never thought about the relationships between Papa/Mama and Papa/Ifeoma, though! I definitely think that you'd have a good time writing about that topic.
ReplyDeleteThe relationships between characters is something Adichie really focuses on throughout her stories. Each of your topics are good, maybe go with the third one and take some risk. Eugene is a complex character and someone to definitely look into. Maybe explore the feelings you have when it comes to him as well. Why you do or do not like him.
ReplyDeleteI really like your last idea, although I agree that it might be a little difficult to do. I think that taking risks is good, though! I would definitely continue to contemplate using it.
ReplyDelete