1
Q
Defiance, rebellion, bravery, courage
A
- Papa tells Jaja, “it is death” to refuse Christ’s body and Jaja replies with, ‘“The I will die.” Fear darkened Jaja’s eyes to the colour of coal tar, but he looked Papa in the face now. “Then I will die Papa.”’
- Refuses to praises Papa’s soft drinks and says, MBA there’s are no words in my mouth’ and later leaves the table before Papa has said the prayers after his meal.
- Refuses offer of a Soft drink at Papa Nnukwu’s house and claims they would have a drink if they were thirsty. He tells Kambili, “I just wanted to say something to make him feel better.”
- ‘The wafer gives me bad breath.’ and ‘And the priest keeps touching my mouth and it nauseates me.’
- ‘Jaja of Opobo’ , ‘never returned to Opobo’, ‘he refused to let them control all the trade.’
2
Q
Change, growth, maturity
A
- Voted ‘neatest junior boy last year’ and during the discussion at the meal, he praises the ‘fresh taste’ of the biscuit sample bought from Papa’s factory.
- When Jaja isn’t aware of his culture, Kambili wonders ‘ if the dimness in his eyes were shame’
- ‘His shoulders seemed broader.’
- After wiping down Anita Ifeoma’s car, Kambili describes Jaja, ‘ like someone proudly wearing clothes that were not his size.’
3
Q
Protective, Caring, Empathetic, Selfless
A
- When Mama tells Jaja of the pregnancy, Jaja replies, ‘We will take care of the baby; we will protect him.’
- When Kambili is found by Papa eating in order to have painkillers while fasting, Jaja tries to take the blame and, ‘cuts her (Mama) short’ and says, ‘ I told her to eat the cornflakes …. I made it for her.’
- After Mama feels sick at father Benedict’s house, Jaja tells her, ‘You should rest before lunch Mama.’
4
Q
Bond with Kambili / distance as book progresses
A
- ‘Speaking with our Spirits’
- Jaja tells Kambili ‘“Papa is hosting a church council meeting today”’ and ‘ with his eyes says, “We can spend time together then.”’
- When Jaja lies to Papa Nnukwu about the drinks Kambili asks if he will confess this.
- He wants to join in the singing during her evening prayers and Kambili describes, ‘ His eyes were watery, full of suggestions.’ and tells him, ‘No!’, ‘with a tight blink’
- ‘Jaja smiles so widely that I saw dimples I did not know he had.’ when Ifeoma tells him he will be staying in Nsukka for a few days longer than planned.
5
Q
Paragraph topics
A
- Defiance
- Kambili
- Protective
- Change
