From the first few pages of Purple Hibiscus, it is clear that Eugene takes Catholicism to a whole new level of radical. Eugene has completely discarded all aspects of African culture and requires that his family do so too and is completely intolerant of any religion or belief that differs from his own. However, there is one concept of Catholicism that Eugene seems to have forgotten: mercy. Even small mistakes in his family cause him to punish or shame them with belt beatings, which hardly seems Christian to me.
As for the main character, Kambili, it is hard to tell by this point in my reading whether or not she realizes the extremity of her father's beliefs and whether she shares the same beliefs. Her brother Jaja has begun to reject some Catholic practices and rebel against their father. Kambili, overall, seems very unsure of who she is and struggles to find a place, socially, in her class and extended family. I am interested to see what type of person she will become once she is away from her father's judgemental and controlling presence.
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