Traumatic Experiences of Nigerian Women: An Archetypal Representation in Adichie’s Purple Hibiscus

Abstract

One of the most reprehensive subjugation among the so called cultural practices in Nigeria, is the oppression born out of widowhood, poverty is yet another great cause of trauma amongst many Nigerian women, especially among the no/low income earners, polygamy is as well seen to be a great causative agent of psychological disturbances amid Nigerian women chiefly in the northerners, and of course the recent Boko Haram terrorist acts that subjected many Nigerians to psychological distortion. Women in a patriarchal society like Nigeria, are treated with gender subordination which subjects them to experiencing indelible traumas. Trauma, however is today regarded as one of the leading causes of death. As such, its theorist put to light its various sources as: intimate partner violence, natural disasters, loss of loved one, sexual assault or any physical or mental wound, rape, and witness of violence. Chimamanda Adichie’s Purple Hibiscus is an epitome of Nigerian women’s difficulties and their traumatic experiences. This paper would explore the conformity of Trauma theory and the fictional presentation of Nigerian women’s trauma in Adichie’s Purple Hibiscus.