Fiction as a Blend of Fact and Imagination in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s <i>Purple Hibiscus</i>

Abstract

Fiction is an imaginative story rather than being a documentation of any historical fact. However, fiction,as a branch of literature,reflects the author’s society. This is why fiction is believed to be a mirror through which a society is seen. Since fiction is something that mirrors society, facts and imagination are always well blended by the author. What this means is that historical and realistic facts are always the writer’s source of inspiration. The question now is how well has the writer blended facts and imaginations in his work? This research work therefore aims to ascertain how well Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has blended facts and imagination in her Purple Hibiscus. The researcher has equally reviewed scholar’s opinions on the concept “Fiction.” This he believes would aid him pass judgment on Adichie’s work. To consolidate his work and make it very categorical, the researcher draws copious excerpts from the novel. This he believes will enable the reader to understand the work with ease. In analyzing the work, the researcher believes that among other approaches, sociological approach is more adequate in analysis of the fiction.