W.E.B. Du Bois vs Papa Eugene vs Aunty Ifeoma

After reading W.E.B Du Bois's letter to his daughter, I was immediately thought back to the part in Purple Hibiscus when Kambili realizes the difference between the way that Aunty Ifeoma and Papa Eugene encouraged a desire for success in their children. The two characters are almost entirely different from each other and the way they encourage their children is no different. Aunty Ifeoma's children strive for greatness because they can believe they are can. This means that they are not afraid of failure and are willing to put themselves outside their comfort zone for the greater good of learning. On the other side, Papa Eugene's children strive for greatness because they are afraid of what will happen if they fail. They spend so much time cooped up in their rooms studying that they do not get any real world experience. Although both parents want the same thing—for their children to be great—the way in which they support their children differs greatly, thus the results do as well. This where W.E.B. Du Bois's letter comes in. His letter is one of encouragement, as he reminds his daughter that she came from privilege and must earn merit. Here, W.E.B. Du Bois's letter eerily resembles Papa Eugene's speech to Kambili when she comes second in her class. However, this is where the resemblance stops. Du Bois goes on to tell his daughter how what is important is her ability to be great, to conquer the world. He encourages her to try new experiences and to "take the cold bath bravely". He firmly tells her that she needs to work hard, but then quickly follows that up by telling his daughter she has it in her to achieve greatness, much like Aunty Ifeoma and her children. W.E.B. Du Bois's letter to his daughter is an exemplary model of a parent who knows how to raise successful children.