Curriculum text vocabulary

Apprehensive – anxious or fearful that something bad or unpleasant will happen. Example: Kambili felt apprehensive before every family meal, unsure if Papa’s temper would flare.

Benediction – a blessing, often at the end of a religious service. Example: Father Amadi gave a gentle benediction that left Kambili comforted.

Benign – gentle and kindly; not harmful. Example: Aunty Ifeoma’s benign smile calmed Kambili’s nerves.

Civility – formal politeness and courtesy in behaviour or speech. Example: Despite Papa’s harsh punishments, Jaja spoke to him with civility.

Communion – the sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings; in a Christian context, a religious rite. Example: Kambili longed for communion with her cousins, but words often failed her.

Consecrate – to declare something sacred, often through a religious ritual. Example: Papa helped consecrate the new altar at their parish.

Contemptuous – showing disdain or lack of respect. Example: Papa-Nnukwu gave a contemptuous laugh when religion was discussed.

Defiant – openly resistant or disobedient. Example: Jaja’s defiant refusal to attend Mass shocked everyone at the table.

Devout – deeply religious or committed to a cause. Example: Papa was a devout Catholic who rejected traditional beliefs.

Erratic – unpredictable or inconsistent. Example: The power supply in Enugu was erratic, plunging the house into darkness without warning.

Ethereal – extremely delicate and light, almost heavenly. Example: Father Amadi’s singing had an ethereal quality that enchanted Kambili.

Excommunication – formal exclusion from participation in the sacraments and services of the Christian Church. Example: Papa threatened excommunication for anyone who questioned the priest’s authority.

Forlorn – pitifully sad, abandoned, or lonely. Example: Kambili’s forlorn gaze worried Aunty Ifeoma.

Frangipani – a tropical flowering plant with a distinctive fragrance, symbolically used in the novel. Example: The scent of frangipani drifted through Aunty Ifeoma’s compound.

Genuflect – to bend one knee in reverence or respect, especially in a church. Example: Kambili would genuflect quietly before slipping into the pew.

Heresy – a belief contrary to orthodox religious doctrine. Example: Papa considered Papa-Nnukwu’s traditional practices heresy.

Immutable – unchanging over time or unable to be changed. Example: Papa’s rules seemed immutable, no matter how much Jaja resisted.

Inflection – a change in pitch or tone of the voice. Example: Kambili noticed the warm inflection in Father Amadi’s voice.

Insubordination – refusal to obey authority. Example: Jaja’s insubordination at Palm Sunday marked the beginning of change.

Liturgical – relating to public worship or liturgies. Example: Papa insisted the liturgical calendar guided their family life.

Melancholy – deep, persistent sadness. Example: Kambili carried a quiet melancholy that only Father Amadi could ease.

Misanthropic – disliking humankind and avoiding human society. Example: Eugene’s misanthropic rants about “heathens” unsettled his family.

Missal – a book containing the texts used in the Catholic Mass. Example: Kambili clutched her missal tightly during the service.

Ominous – giving the impression that something bad is going to happen. Example: The ominous silence at dinner made Kambili tremble.

Orthodox – conforming to traditional or established beliefs. Example: Papa’s faith was fiercely orthodox, leaving no room for doubt.

Penance – voluntary self-punishment to show repentance for wrongdoing. Example: Papa performed penance after every perceived sin.

Pious – devoutly religious or reverent. Example: Kambili admired her father’s pious routines, even if they frightened her.

Prodigal – wastefully extravagant. Example: Papa was generous but not prodigal; every gift came with discipline.

Reverence – deep respect for someone or something. Example: Kambili spoke of Father Amadi with quiet reverence.

Sanctity – the state or quality of being holy or sacred. Example: Papa treated the sanctity of the Eucharist with rigid seriousness.

Solemn – formal and dignified; serious. Example: Their home was filled with solemn prayer and silence.

Stoic – enduring pain or hardship without showing feelings. Example: Mama remained stoic even when Papa’s anger left her bruised.

Subversive – seeking to undermine an established system or institution. Example: Aunty Ifeoma’s laughter felt subversive in Papa’s rigid household.

Tranquil – peaceful and calm. Example: Kambili found the university town oddly tranquil compared to Enugu.

Unnerving – causing anxiety or a loss of confidence. Example: Papa’s sudden outbursts were unnerving for the whole family.

Zealot – a person who is fanatical and uncompromising in pursuit of their beliefs. Example: Papa was a religious zealot who demanded absolute obedience.