Wealth and Class in Americanah

    Throughout Adichie’s novel, Americanah, the effects of wealth and class can be seen in two ways: those who assimilate and adapt rich mannerisms, and those who resist and still retain certain humane qualities such as empathy, kindness, and respect. These divisions are most prevalent from Obinze’s perspective throughout the book, depicted in interactions he has with Eminike, and the way that Obinze acts with his wealth and social position. 

    During Obinze's journey to England, he attempts to contact Eminike when he arrives to ask for a loan to start his new life. It takes weeks for Emenike to make time to talk to Obinze in-person, and even when he finally does meet Obinze, he is constantly trying to impress with his designer clothes and past vacation destinations. Emenike laughs about the idea of returning to Nigeria again, and dissociates himself with the idea of being Nigerian entirely (Adichie 269). He is a completely different person than the one Obinze remembers going to school with, one who in the past he could talk to intelligently about books and their shared dream of going abroad. When Emenike presents the money to Obinze, it is double the amount that he asked for and Emenike asks Obinze if he wants to count it, a complete disrespect of Nigerian tradition where “you certainly did not count the money, sometimes did not even look at it until you were alone” (Adichie 270). Emenike, with his newfound class and wealth, has chosen to forget about his Nigerian heritage and act as if he has always been rich, not honoring his friendship with Obinze properly, telling Obinze that the money is “not a loan” (Adichie 270) and expecting it to be paid back. 

    On the other side of the coin, Obinze uses his wealth and class in Nigeria to help others and chooses to remain himself in the face of the others who surround him. He never truly compromises who he is, recognizing that he is wealthy and that he has to associate with those like him in order to “play the game” in a sense. Obinze describes a “disorienting strangeness because his mind [has] not changed at the same pace as his life” (Adichie 33), still wanting to be the same person he’s always been. With his newfound wealth though, he is expected to act differently. He goes to Chief’s parties not because he wants to, but because he is expected to. He finds them “boring,” leaving all of the greetings and mingling with high-class personnel to Kosi (Adichie 29). Obinze becomes a philanthropist and someone unlike Eminike, honoring the place that he comes from, telling Ifemelu that he “[pays] school fees for a hundred students in [his] village and [his] mum’s village” (Adichie 434). Understanding and recognizing his humble beginnings, he is more than willing to provide for so many others so that they have the opportunity to become successful like him. Obinze is expected to take part in a lavish lifestyle as a wealthy man, but he chooses not to flaunt his money or try to be overly impressive. He even states himself that he feels like he is always just borrowing his money and like it’s never truly his (Adichie 428). He doesn't act like he can do whatever he wants, but that he must be responsible with his money. 

    Adichie develops the idea that money and class have control over certain people, changing them to a point where they seem unrecognizable. However, she also provides the reader examples of how some wealthy people can still be themselves and give back like Obinze. Life isn’t perfect and there will always be sacrifices that come with gaining money, but helping others to succeed along with yourself is the true meaning of wealth.