What is the conflict in the novel and how does it help communicate the author's purpose?

Building identity, coming of age, with an abusive religious zealot makes up the main conflict in the story. Kambili and Jaja both come of age in Purple Hibiscus as a result of their experiences. The book opens with Jaja rebelling against his devout Catholic father by skipping communion on Palm Sunday, an important religious holiday. The following chapters detail the events that culminate in Jaja’s defiance. The book is narrated by Kambili three years after this incident.