Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Americanah is rife with power imbalances that arise due to differences in class, race, and socioeconomic status. Aware of his status and ability to provide privately what otherwise might be inaccessible, the tennis coach benefits from a power imbalance and takes advantage of those in vulnerable situations, particularly in regards to economic insecurity and fears of deportation.
Ifemelu’s initial meeting with the tennis coach left her certain that she would not be taking the job. She was aware of his underlying intentions and sensed that he had talked many women into “helping him relax.” Adichie writes that the tennis coach was “mercilessly sizing [Ifemelu] up,” and uses the word venal, meaning corrupt, to describe his face (176). From the first interaction with Ifemelu, the characterization of the tennis coach is designed to demonstrate an imbalance of power. When she leaves his office, wishing she had not inquired about the job at all, the man is short with her, as if he doesn’t need her and would instead be doing Ifemelu a favor by hiring her (177). It is evident that the tennis coach is aware of Ifemelu’s desperation for money, and this encounter sets the scene for the humiliation Ifemelu experiences when she later agrees to work for him.
With rent a week late and job after job rejecting her, Ifemelu had no choice but to call the tennis coach and do what was required to keep a roof over her head. She was in a deeply vulnerable position that made her ripe to be taken advantage of—an unfortunately all too common narrative among immigrants who may not have the proper visa or documentation to work in well-regulated environments. In the bedroom, Adichie contrasts the tone in Ifemelu’s voice, shaky and uncertain as she declines to engage in sexual activity, with the coach’s confident and curt demands (189). This difference is key in illustrating the power dynamic that choked Ifemelu in that room and compelled her to provide for his desires despite her disgust with her own actions. At one point, Ifemelu even considers leaving, but both she and the coach knew she would not because this was her only means of obtaining the money she needed (190). True consent was impossible given the imbalance of power.
The hundred dollar bill that Ifemelu is given is also a symbol of this imbalance. Knowing that many undocumented workers must be paid under the table in cash, the tennis coach keeps a roll of hundred dollar bills in his nightstand. With the money easily accessible, he is able to offer a resource to vulnerable and desperate young women who will do what they must to keep themselves housed and fed. The bills represent the power he has over these women because he becomes the provider without strings attached. Without the requirements of showing a passport or completing tax forms, the tennis coach creates an easy opportunity to satisfy his own pleasure at the expense of the dignity of young women. Through his body language and swiftness as he tells Ifemelu exactly what he wants, it is clear that has become accustomed to having the upper hand and expects that women will submit because they have no other choice.
The effects of being taken advantage of are seen clearly in Ifemelu’s life, as she begins to regard herself as small and insignificant, feeling as though she has been stripped of her innocence and is perpetually unclean. Her cutting off communication with Obinze represents a deep loss of identity that stems from shame in having no choice but to satisfy the desires of the tennis coach. Ifemelu likely never imagined she would be in such a desperate situation, which leaves her to question who she has become in America.
In my opinion, this was one of the more powerful scenes in the entire book because of what it symbolized for Ifemelu and how it drastically changed not only her experience in America, but changed her as a person as well. Shortly after leaving the coach’s place, Ifemelu calls Aunty Uju looking for advice and comfort, but the phone call only reinforces the divide between them. Similarly, this was the point when Ifemelu’s mood drastically changes and we see a kind of anger and apathy she doesn’t show in the rest of the book. Adichie writes, “She could not sleep, she could not distract herself. She began to think about killing the tennis coach.” (191) and we see that Ifemelu continues to spiral downward as she refuses to reach out to Obinze. This was such a pivotal moment in the novel because it is the moment when Ifemelu realizes how alone she is. Obinze is “part of another time and place” (191) just like her family, including Uju.
ReplyDeleteSimilarly, I think that the sections that follow this event parallel parts of Obinze’s journey. He didn’t go through such a physically traumatizing event, but there are many moments he has in London that reinforce the idea that he is truly alone, despite having close friends and family nearby.
I agree that Ifemelu’s unfortunate experience with the tennis coach shaped her journey through America. I believe that after her night with the coach, the reality hit her of what her future lay ahead as a struggling immigrant in America and foreshadowed the wall that she would feel necessary to put up.
ReplyDeleteThis post is valuable because it recognizes the weight of being taken advantage of even if it was consented to. I also liked the way that you acknowledged the juxtaposition of Ifemelu’s shaky and wary demeanor compared to the coach's confidence and arrogance. Despite Ifemelu consenting, she still felt extremely violated by the tennis coach and it seemed as though she felt branded by him and felt as though “[her fingers] no longer belonged to her.” (Adichie, 190). Despite aggressively scrubbing her hand under scalding water, she still felt his presence lingering.
This post strengthened my previous opinion that the night with the tennis coach lingered for Ifemelu. However, it also changed my view slightly when you mention Ifemelu cutting off Obinze. I had not thought that losing Obinze was Ifemelu losing her identity, but after reading the post I agree that the “ghosting” of Obinze along with her traumatic night initially spirals Ifemelu into her depressive period. Only a day or two after her night with the tennis coach, Ifemelu talks about how she is “slowed by sadness,” and believed that there was “no point in being here, in being alive” (Adichie, 192).
I really appreciate your commentary on the overwhelming presence of power imbalances in the novel. I think this was one of the best instances to discuss since it was the first time Ifemelu was forced to truly and fully give into those power imbalances.
ReplyDeleteShe had spent her entire childhood judging Aunty Uju for submitting to the men above her in order to gain her many wants and needs. She even spent a good amount of time judging her mother for submitting to the churches she chose to attend despite them clearly taking advantage of her. Even though she deeply loved these women, she really longed to be like Obinze's mother, who refused to submit to someone simply because they held more power than her.
After moving to America, her judgmental attitude continued and she judged her Nigerian friends for conforming to American culture. She convinced herself that she would never be like these people but instead be so much better. When hard times hit, however, Ifemelu found herself becoming just like those women she had judged so fiercely.
After giving into this first power imbalance and losing contact with Obinze, Ifemelu spiraled and lost herself. This led to Ifemelu slowly making her way through her time in America without the love and support she truly longed for and trying her hardest to learn lessons and make sense of her life along the way. She encountered many more power imbalances, which she seemed to fall into easily after her first time giving in with the tennis coach.