The protagonist Kambili and her mother Beatrice are forced to live in a chaotic environment by Eugene. He is an ardent Catholic who has rejected his father’s religious beliefs, including Pagan ones. Eugene is a devout Catholic who rejects his father’s traditional beliefs and Pagan religion. This idea that religion dictates Eugene’s behavior is evident throughout the book. Eugene is a hypocrite who wants his children to be perfect. His duplicity and censorship in both the home and office are also used as a justification for oppression.
Eugene has a prosperous business career and discourages speaking Igbo. Kambili says “we had a duty to sound civilized and speak English in front of others” Eugene despises the language. He is also portrayed as being a white colonialist. His sister Aunty Ilfeoma refers to him as “too colonial” because of his Catholic education and the fact that he does not accept his Pagan dad’s religion. Eugene, a local philanthropist and generous man, is well known to the people of his hometown. He is a philanthropist and helps disabled people. He ignores the plight of his father and does not visit him because he’s not Catholic. His children are allowed to visit him for “fifteen” minutes, but “they cannot touch or consume anything” during that time. You burn yourself.”
Eugene continues to hurt his children, because they’re not Catholics. The novel begins with Eugene throwing his “heavy Missal” across the room at Jaja, his son. Readers are immediately aware that religion is a major theme in the book. Kambili learns from him that “heathens”, or non-Catholics, are bad and different. But when she sees Eugene’s grandfather praying, she realizes it is just the medium of worship that separates Catholics from Pagans. Papa-Nnukwu prays constantly, “Bless Eugene, my son.” Kambili’s observation is shocking, because Papa Nnukwu seems to be happy with his religion and finds it fulfilling. But Papa’s faith seems oppressive to her. Eugene, despite the fact that he is cared for by his father, ignores him and appears to prefer his Father-in-law who was an Albino. Eugene teaches his children to avoid looking in mirrors. He holds a radical position on Christianity and places his faith above all else. He also expects others to follow suit.
Eugene has no problem with criticizing the pastors or priests of St. Agnes. He does it with his entire family. Father Amadi’s disapproval of his singing in Igbo was evident when Eugene visited the church. He does not want his children listening to music or watching television in the house. Kambili was punished for coming second once, as “God demands perfection” of his children. She never finishes second in class again. Jaja as well as Kambili are also Catholic students, in order to support Eugene’s views. Eugene also enforces Catholic teachings on his family and beats the children if they don’t follow them. Jaja is a good example of this.
Ade Coker commented once on Jaja’s and Kambili’s silence. He tells Eugene to imagine what the Standard will be like if everyone is quiet. Eugene and his children do not laugh. This statement demonstrates his despotic character. Eugene is a proponent of free speech, democratic values and liberal views in The Standard. Yet he continues his oppression of his wife. He blames his wife and children for their behavior, saying they did not follow the rules set forth by Christianity. Eugene shows his despotic side by whipping Kambili in the back with a belt after she ate just a little cereal before taking a pill that would reduce her period’s pain. He whips Kambili because he finds her eating just ten minutes prior to Mass.
Eugene oppresses and coerces his family to accept Christian values. He doesn’t care about the well-being of his father, and dislikes him as a result. Eugene also abuses his wife and children when they do not follow his interpretations of Christianity’s rules. Kambili even thinks about punishments she should receive. Her thoughts cause readers to consider abuse’s effects on the mind. The novel has a strong religious influence, which leads to many internal conflicts for both Eugene and the children.
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