What is the emotional atmosphere in Kambili's home? What effect does this have on Kambili and Jaja? Why is their father so strict? Be sure to cite evidence to support your response.
THe emotional atmosphere at the Kambili home is tense ,stressful, and abusive. Palm Sunday marks a change in the Achike household. Narrator Kambili, the 15-year old daughter of a devout Catholic, is terrified of the punishment her brother Jaja will incur for missing the day’s mass. When the family arrives home from church, Papa demands an explanation from his son. Why did he not receive communion? Jaja says it is because the wafer gives him bad breath. Papa is shocked and reminds Jaja that not accepting the Host – the body of their Lord – is death. Jaja responds that he will die. Papa then throws his heavy leather-bound missal across the room, missing Jaja but breaking his wife’s beloved figurines.
