Tensions rise in the Achike house throughout the day. Kambili still takes pride in her father and his deeds, though he urges the family to stay humble. Kambili notes the fading black eye of her Mama Beatrice. However, inside his own home, he is a feared authoritarian and strict disciplinarian. Agnes’ white Father Benedict for using his power to spread the Gospel and speak the truth. A prominent and wealthy business leader, Eugene is praised by St. Kambili’s Papa Eugene is a revered member of Enugu, Nigeria. Papa then throws his heavy leather-bound missal across the room, missing Jaja but breaking his wife’s beloved figurines. Papa is shocked and reminds Jaja that not accepting the Host – the body of their Lord – is death. Why did he not receive communion? Jaja says it is because the wafer gives him bad breath. When the family arrives home from church, Papa demands an explanation from his son. 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. Palm Sunday marks a change in the Achike household.
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