Sincere or Superficial?

    Leonie’s and Misty’s friendship can be heavily attributed to their shared desire for drugs. While Misty is the closest relationship Leonie has to a friend, there is no genuine care for the other as the only care in the world both women have is where the next dose of drugs can be found. Leonie says that Misty is her “best friend” and her “only friend,” but this thought crosses her mind while getting high (35). Even while on the trip together, it seems that Misty’s only purpose in coming is to get drugs as Jojo notices her “trying to act like she’s not holding a paper bag tucked into a plastic bag, her arm straight as a yardstick at her side, the bag crinkling and hissing when she walks” (89). 

    However, there is one thing that the two women share besides drugs: both are in an interracial relationship. Although Leonie is incredibly jealous of Misty’s whiteness and the ease of life she receives as a result, she is able to initially bond with Misty because her “boyfriend was Black [and it] was one of the reasons [they] became friends so quickly” (35). This specific mention of Bishop highlights the minimal similarities between Leonie and Misty. Leonie is so desperate for friendship that the both of them simply being in an interracial relationship is enough to befriend one another. 

    Besides drugs and interracial relationships, there is nothing more to tie Leonie and Misty together. The friendship, if it can even be classified as such, exists only to serve each woman. Both Leonie and Misty get something they want by being in the friendship: drugs and, perhaps occasionally, relationship sympathy. If either of these two similarities were to cease to exist, the friendship would crumble. Leonie longs for a true friend, but this is the closest she can get to such a relationship because it revolves around the only two things that she truly cares about.

Love's Many Forms Within Sing, Unburied, Sing

      Love is such a complicated thing within this novel. Ward gives it many forms, allowing each character to decide how they will give and receive love. There's a protective love or understanding love but also an obsessive love. There are two characters within the story for each type. Pop and Jojo for protective, Kayla and Mam for understanding, and Michael and Leonie for obsessive. The question becomes which of these Ward seems to think is the correct kind of love. 

    Pop and Jojo both put others before themselves, making sure no harm comes to the people they love and that all their needs are met. Richie notices this love in Pop while waiting for the chance to hear his story. He explains it as, "Riv hugs them even when he's not in the same room with them" (Ward 239). This love can be felt from anywhere but is a quiet sort of love. Pop simply makes sure the kids are dressed and clean without making a big deal about it. This is similar to how Jojo is with Kayla; he never complains or makes a showing out of caring for his sister. 

    Mam and Kayla's love is placed in the want to show understanding to their loved ones. Mam does not question Leonie when she says that she is taking the kids to pick up Michael, she instead allows her daughter the freedom to make her decisions with the implication that she will always be loved. Even after all the wrong Leonie has done, Mam still pushes the fact that Leonie is her "baby" (Ward 216). Kayla shows this level of understanding surprisingly well for someone so young but instead of her big moment being towards a family member it is with the ghosts in the tree. She understands what they need and does not show fear as she leads them down the necessary path. 

    Leonie and Michael's version of love, while possibly great for them, does significant damage to those around them. They lose themselves in the love for each other which makes their children fade into the background. This is prevalent from the moment Michael leaves the prison as the two of them become enthralled by each other and seem to entirely forget about their children.  

    It seems that Ward's ultimate version of love is one based in understanding. Despite the harm blindless understanding can allow, Kayla's desire to understand the needs of the ghosts pushes the plot to its culmination. It could also be said that it is Leonie's brief turn away from her obsessive love towards one of understanding which allows her to give Mam the power to move away from this world.

Addiction as a Way of Survival: Sing, Unburied, Sing

     Ward is an amazing writer being able to intertwine both fiction and nonfiction elements into a multi-perspective story. Addiction as a mechanism to escape the real world is a major theme we see in Sing, Unburied, Sing. As someone who works at a recovery center here in town, I’m all too familiar with addiction and the effects it can have on people and their loved ones.

We see Michael using drugs as a way to escape his depression and grief due to the oil rig he was working at blowing up. Michael started having nightmares about the explosion, guilt about all 11 of his coworkers dying, and after being unemployed for 6 months, Michael became depressed. It’s unclear if he started using before or after he started selling, but we see him start to deteriorate. He couldn’t find a job, he and Leonie had run through all the money they had saved up, he had a son and a baby on the way still living with his girlfriend’s parents, and there was a lot of disappointment between his parents and him due to his relationship with Leonie. And his solution, as a means of survival, was to use and cook meth and he ended up going to jail because of it. It not only affected him physically where “he started getting skinny.. [and] … his cheekbones started standing out on his face” (page 93). But it also affects his family.

 JoJo is now able to recognize drugs when they’re at Misty’s friend's house. He goes out back and knows he’s “seen this before, know[s] that smell because when Michael built his lean-to in the woods behind Mam and Pop’s house, it looked and smelled like this” (page 88-89). As a thirteen year old boy he is able to identify drugs and realize it was being cooked. And with Michael in jail, JoJo had to grow up faster and take care of Kayla because Leonie also started using. He doesn’t really expect much from Leonie as a mother because of it and because he’s used to her doing things only for herself. He gives her the same looks Given gives her: disappointment.

Leonie’s character is extremely hard to sympathize with given the way she acts, however, seeing addiction through her perspective, rather than JoJo’s, humanizes addiction. Through her character, readers can understand how addiction is not just a moral failing but often a response to a complex web of circumstances, including trauma, poverty, and lack of support. We see Leonie using drugs as a way to escape her trauma and difficulties in her life. “I knew I shouldn’t have: I was pregnant. But I couldn’t help… [it]”. (page 51) She faces a history of a dysfunctional family, the loss of her brother Given, and the challenges of being a young, Black mother in a racially divided and economically disadvantaged region. Her boyfriend's dad is racist, she get's a job in the food industry where working fast and hard is due to being on drugs. Her boyfriend goes to jail, she has two kids that she didn’t necessarily want to begin with, and to just feel numb to everything, to be able to carry everything and not just crumble, she started using. And later on to pay for the trip, to try and get enough money to move out of her parents house, to pay for the lawyer that helps get Michael out, she agrees to pick up and sell drugs.

Through Michael and Leonie’s characters struggling with addiction we see that addiction isn’t because of one single instance where they’ve blatantly decided ‘ok this one thing sucks I’m going to start abusing drugs’. It’s a combination of a lot of factors and there’s not one thing to be blamed. The experiences with drugs throughout the story also dives into the deeper issue of marginalized communities using substances as a way to cope with the weight of their experiences and the systemic injustices they face. The lack of access to resources for mental health and addiction treatment, as well as the prevalence of drug-related arrests, are woven into the narrative, shedding light on the systemic issues that contribute to the cycle of addiction.

Conformity and Authenticity in Americanah

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Americanah follows the main character Ifemelu and her long-term boyfriend Obinze as they navigate their new lives in the United Kingdom and the United States. Between troubles with visas and failed job hunts, their journeys explore everything from discrimination to budding love. Though apart, they share many of the same experiences in their respective countries; The United States and the United Kingdom promise a be a land of booming opportunity and a welcoming market where anyone can acquire wealth. Ifemelu and Obinze’s experiences outside of Nigeria reflect Europeans’ and Americans’ unwillingness to accept cultural differences and immigrants’ responsibility to assume a different way of life. 

One of the most notable themes in Americanah is conformity. Conformity is rampant throughout society in Nigeria, but more so–for immigrants from Nigeria–in predominantly white countries. The first time Adichie majorly touches on conformity, she does so through Kosi, Obinze’s wife’s, character. Kosi is desperate to please; her image, both physical and perceivable, was everything to her. Her societal standing paved her happiness, but even then, could she really be content if her joy stemmed from superficial tweaks to her appearance and personality, done to please others? Contrasted by Obinze’s stubborn authenticity in this part of the novel, it is clear that her apparent lack of appetite, her school preferences for their children, and her inclination towards falsity all maintain her harmonious lifestyle rather than achieve well-being and comfort. 

Directly opposing Kosi’s artificial facade, Ifemelu often serves as a beacon of authenticity throughout the novel. Though society often demands that she conform (i.e. relaxing her hair, doing an American English accent), she often retreats to her authentic self. When she relaxes her hair, she soon after cuts it all off to revive her natural curls. After speaking with an American accent for some time, she reverts back to her Nigerian English accent, speaking naturally. While Ifemelu does what she believes she must to get a job and feel accepted in a place foreign and harsh to her, Kosi struggles with none of the same challenges and adversity that Ifemelu faces. 

Most intriguingly, authenticity seems vacant in other immigrants in Americanah. The United States, in its capitalistic craze, sells a prosperous image to immigrants. Often labeled as the American Dream, immigrants are sold propaganda showcasing rich entrepreneurs who come from nothing and accumulate immense wealth and power. Only, assuming one acquires a visa/green card, even with education from a different country, a successful career is far from guaranteed. Instead, immigrants must bend to the will of white people in order to land even the most unwanted jobs. As a result of her fruitless job hunt and unwelcoming roommates, Ifemelu becomes severely depressed. Her perception of America is entirely different, the attitude that life is suddenly worth living in America suddenly gone. She sacrifices her identity, even her own name, to work a job that she does not want. 

Throughout the novel, the ladies from the barber shop resurface several times, each snippet expressing another derogatory fragment that encapsulates the United States’s effect on immigrants’ view of both their own cultures and those in similar positions. They are shocked to hear that Ifemelu plans to return to Nigeria, still deluded by the idea of the American Dream. To them, the more American they are, the better. They wonder why Ifemelu’s American accent is not as good as a woman who has been in the United States for less time than Ifemelu, and they treat a white woman, Kelsey, who wants braids, with more respect than any other client. Adichie’s portrayal of conformity in Americanah is fascinating and offers an often unheard perspective of the American experience. 

The Power of a Hundred Dollar Bill

        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.

Americanah: All about Hair, Hair, and Hair

 Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s passion for hair is acknowledged throughout the novel, Americanah. Passion, not infatuation, because Adichie expresses great knowledge in regards to the topic of hair, primarily the afro hair of waves, curls and kinky texture. Her zest is primarily geared towards sharing her knowledge of the afro hair, which Adichie introduces in the Author’s Note for the 2023 edition of her book; she’d said to a friend prior to the novel’s publication that she “wanted to write a novel about Black women’s hair… hair as just hair, but also as plot device, as descriptor and as metaphor” (Adichie xiii), then Americanah was born. So that will be the topic of this blog post.

How had Adichie explored hair as just hair, hair as a plot device, hair as a descriptor, and hair as a metaphor in Americanah?

Whether Americanah is all about hair isn’t an argument when seeing its use as a plot device because Adichie sets the setting in which the tale is narrated within a hair salon. Written from the third-person omniscient point-of-view of the protagonist, Ifemelu, (occasionally exploring the story from Obinze’s point-of-view), the setting of a hair salon presents Adichie’s idea to organize the story as a tale of the past as each event gets closer to the present. In other words, the setting in the salon is like the main topic in a bubble map where it sits in the middle while a number of events surround it, connected by a series of other events, but returning to the present setting in the hair salon. Additionally, Adichie makes hair a priority in Ifemelu’s life, making it both her insecurity and ultimately, expressing the author’s passion through that character.

Adichie used hair as a metaphor in multiple instances. However, we will only highlight one specifically while briefing on other events throughout the novel. Early in the novel, Adichie expresses Ifemelu’s insecurity for hair when introducing Ifemelu’s mother. The fact that Ifemelu had “grown up in the shadow of her mother’s hair” (Adichie 49) gives the readers insight on Ifemelu’s character as someone who once had hair insecurity and admiration for her mother’s. However, this section was about the time when her mother had shaved her head, changing her appearance as she’d switched the church in which she’d decided to be affiliated with. This tale Adichie spins about Ifemelu’s past presents as a metaphor for Americanah, the word, not the title of the book, which is a written form of American, but written how the Yoruba people pronounce (78). The change of appearance, primarily her mother’s hair, represented how Ifemelu also changed with her time in America. 

Hair is continuously explored in Americanah in multiple plot points of the novel such as when Adichie explores Ifemelu’s relationships and observations about hair and even using Ifemelu’s insecurity about hair to produce a character development. Like how her mother had changed with shaving her head, Ifemelu experiences the change in her Aunty Uju with changing her hair to one shaped by keratin treatment once she moved to the United States. Ifemelu battles insecurity of self when in her relationship with Curt as she notices his previous romantic relationships were with women of long, luscious hair… and Ifemelu’s was not.

Adichi’s voice is primarily heard through Ifemelu’s blog posts which are presented throughout Americanah. Ifemelu’s first blog post was about hair. She even has a blog post call “Michelle Obama Shout-Out Plus Hair as a Race Metaphor” (308), in which it is Adichie, not Ifemelu, who questions America’s view on beauty based on hair, and primarily the view of natural afro hair as “unprofessional”. Ifemelu’s blog post states that Michelle Obama would rock her natural hair (not the chemical drenched pin-straight hair), “but poor Obama would certainly lose the independent vote, even the undecided Democratic vote” (310). Adichie’s political views as a metaphor expressing her observations on American opinion drives many questions home on the place we call, the United States of America. Americanah is in another sense, a critique on the forced, yet illusionary natural change of the Negro people living in the States as losing their true Negro touch. Hair, as just hair, had revealed Adichie's uncensored thoughts on questionable change and the social rules of the American world.

Ifemelu: Adjusting and readjusting to cultural differences

Ifemelu has always known leaving Nigeria to attend school in a different country changes people, she always despised the thought of herself changing when she goes to study abroad. It took Ifemelu a while to settle into the culture of America but it also took time for Ifemelu to get adjusted to Nigeria's way of life again when she returned.

Ifemelu always made attempts to not fall into the traditions she felt were against her culture. In the very beginning, she notes herself going to a hair salon to have her hair braided however when the stylist suggests relaxing Ifemelu's hair, she is disgusted by the thought and disappointed of other Nigerian immigrants who would ever do that to themselves. Ifemelu has never needed to have her hair relaxed in Nigeria; she did not plan to start now as she knew how damaging it is for her hair and she would not risk it. She did this as a form of protest for herself to not allow herself to change now that she is in a country that is considered better than Nigeria. Ifemelu does not want America to corrupt her.

America is very race-conscious. That was the very first thing Ifemelu realized. She was no longer seen as Nigerian, she was now considered "Black." Everything in America has to do with race however no one wants to bring up race. Kimberly a mother of a child Ifemelu once watched and noticed how Kimberly always referred to black people as "beautiful" Anyone who was black Kimberly always associated with the term "beautiful" until one day when Ifemelu had enough of it and confronted Kimberly telling her to just say "Black" not all black people are beautiful.

After living in America for some time now Ifemelu finally decided it was time for her to go back home and settle there. Ifemelu expected to settle without any issues however she soon realized she missed what America had. Customer service was filled with people who executed projects without putting in good work in Nigeria. Ifemelu hired a contractor to renovate her new home however when he finished and Ifemelu saw the work he had done, Ifemelu was livid. The tiles were cracked, and rough with gaps in between. Ifemelu confronted the contractor when he asked to be paid as he claimed the work he had done was to his satisfaction and complete. Ifemelu said "Do you know who I am? You don't know who I am, that is why you can do this kind of rubbish work for me" (Adichie P.487). Most Nigerians would expect this kind of execution in a project and would have let it go however Ifemelu didn't and even talked to him in a degrading manner by asking him if he knew who she was implying she is of status and rank. America changed Ifemelu, she's now what her friends refer to as "Amaricanah."

Living an Honest Life: Ifemelu's Journey for an Authentic Identity

    In Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's acclaimed novel, Americanah, the theme of self-truth runs through the story, shaping the lives and experiences of the characters, especially Ifemelu's. This intriguing look into authenticity is an important part of what makes this novel stand out from others, helping us understand the way identity, culture, and race come together in our interconnected world. 

    At its core, Americanah tells the story of Ifemelu’s journey to find her true identity. As an immigrant, during her time in America, she wrestles with a strong feeling of dislocation, which leads her to question who she truly is. Authenticity becomes a key factor in her life as she seeks out ways to connect her Nigerian heritage with her new American experiences. Whether it is about hair care, language, or societal expectations, the novel shows the challenges Ifemelu faces while trying to embrace a new culture without losing her authentic identity. 

    Ifemelu’s blog “The Non-American Black’s Guide to the American Black,” serves as a thought-provoking examination of how authenticity is viewed concerning race. It raises questions about the feeling of pressure individuals from marginalized racial backgrounds face when conforming to racial stereotypes or expectations. The blog gives convincing commentary on the nuances of black identity in America. Similarly, Ifemelu’s romantic relationships contain the aspect of self-truth and authenticity. Her quest to find authentic love and connection is a central aspect of the novel. The way her relationships in Nigeria contrast with her relationships in America calls attention to how complex love and cultural identity can be, which emphasizes how authenticity comes together with someone’s close connections. 

    Self-truth and maintaining one's authentic identity is a cornerstone of Americanah, and it brings to light the diverse challenges of navigating identity, culture, and race. The way the novel is written allows for both the characters and the readers to be able to look at the complexities of life inside and outside of America. The novel serves as a reminder to be our authentic selves while embracing one’s cultural heritage, forming connections, and adapting to new environments. 

Relationships and Romance in Americanah

  Relationships played a very large role in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Americanah. Not only were relationships able to show the progression of feelings between people, but they were also able to exhibit the truths and problems of class and race. In the book, relationships are seen through more eyes than just Ifemelu’s, as we also see relationships through Obinze and many other people mentioned throughout Americanah that help to embody the truths of the world.

One of the earliest relationships that shows problems is less of a relationship, but more of a loveless affair. This relationship we see is between Ifemelu and the tennis coach in America. This affair did not come out of love, but rather Ifemelu’s struggles for money and jobs in America. Ifemelu had been consistently looking for jobs and ways to make money to survive in America, but the fact that she was black and foreign put her in a lower class that deemed it near impossible to acquire a job. This made Ifemelu have to resort to a job with a wealthy man that was able to pay her well for a very lowly job of having intimate times with him. On page 190, the book says, “Now, even after she has washed her hands, holding the crisp, slender hundred-dollar bill he had given her, her fingers still felt sticky; they no longer belonged to her.” Ifemelu, being a strong person, would not have usually stooped down to this level, and with her saying that her fingers no longer belonged to her this is clear. The simple problems of race and class caused her to have to change her ways, which very easily shows issues. 

Another important relationship that shows problems in America is Ifemelu’s relationship with Curt. Curt treated Ifemelu as best as he could, even spoiling her, but the ways that he was able to spoil her and his obliviousness to things exposed some hard truths. First off, Ifemelu had been struggling to find a true job in America, as she was a babysitter for a while. When Curt came around, this changed for Ifemelu. Because Curt was a wealthy, white man, he was able to pull some weight in places, getting Ifemelu a job that she would have previously been unable to acquire by herself. This goes to show that there was a large preference to upper class, white people in the workforce. Another part of this relationship that shows a racial problem is Curt’s obliviousness when he questions Ifemelu about why a magazine only has black females in it, not realizing that typically all magazines only have white females in it, and that this one is special. This shows the obliviousness of America to how racially preferred they are towards white people over black people.

In the end, these are only two relationships of many that highlight problems present in Adichie’s Americanah, which ultimately bring to light the problems of the real world. 

Race in Nigeria and America

   Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Americanah highlights the stark differences of the 

influence of race in Nigeria and America. Adichie explores how race is perceived 

and experienced differently in Nigeria and America, shedding light on racial 

dynamics in both countries.

    Race played a huge role in Ifemelu's life in America, more so than in Nigeria. 

In Nigeria, race is not a focal point because the majority of the population is black. 

However, issues related to skin tone and colorism still exist, where lighter skin tones 

are often considered more attractive. This leads to the use of bleaching creams by men 

and women alike. Additionally, in chapter 2, Obinze is told, "And after you register 

your own company, you must find a white man. Find one of your white friends in England. 

Tell everybody he is your General Manager. You will see how doors will open for you 

because you have an oyinbo General Manager."(Adichie, p. 33). It is implied that Obinze 

will get more respect and have others be more inclined to make deals with him with a 

white manager. This exchange is a major insight into the issues of race in Nigeria. 

Why should having a white man working for you make you more respected? 

    On the other hand, the influence of race in America is drastically different. In the 

United States, race relations are deeply ingrained, and systemic racism affects many 

various aspects of society that Ifemelu cannot avoid, including employment opportunities. 

For instance, Ifemelu faces immense difficulty securing job interviews due to racial biases 

against her. Her initial job offer is based solely on her physical appearance rather than valuing 

her qualifications, and her first official job is only obtained because of her white 

boyfriend's assistance in arranging the interview. Adichie portrays the struggles 

faced by many non-American black immigrants, highlighting how appearance can be a 

determinative factor in their experiences and how these factors can be detrimental to surviving in America. These events serve to raise awareness of the privileges that America 

affords to some, while others face persistent challenges due to their appearance. 

    Adichie invites readers to reflect on broader issues of race, beauty standards, and privilege

in our world as a whole. By Adichie drawing attention to the influence of race in Nigeria and 

America, she shows the impacts that race has on communities everywhere.

Race as Perceived in America vs Nigeria

    Reading Americanah, I was exposed to the different ways race is perceived in America and Nigeria, among both immigrants and citizens, and how race plays a role in the structure of both societies. In Nigeria, no one is black. Race is not viewed as a predeterminer of one’s worth or ability to move classes. When calling Curt from Nigeria at the end of the novel, Ifemulu describes to him that “race doesn’t really work here. I feel like I got off the plane in Lagos and stopped being black” (Adichie 586). Compared to American society where race plays a sizable factor in someone’s social status, skin color is practically disregarded in Nigeria according to Ifemulu. It is, however, not completely irrelevant as seen by Kosi who takes pride in the ambiguity of her lighter skin color, or Aunty Onenu who uses bleaching creams to lighten her complexion. This idea that lighter skin tones are more attractive stems from the Nigerian elite who idealize America and the UK, emulating Western dialects (Ifemulu’s dad), cuisine (English food at Chief’s party), and in this case, skin tone. Despite this, Nigerians do not consider race as a factor in one’s social status, but rather personal connections and financial well being. 

    Upon moving to the states, Ifemulu experiences what it means to be black for the first time, albeit as an immigrant. Social status in America is multifaceted, being influenced by class, gender, nationality, and most importantly race. Ifemulu learns of racial stereotypes (meant for Black Americans), told her natural hair is unprofessional, and generally finds that many white people have varying views on race and the black experience in America. The latter leads her to open her blog as Curt’s understanding of some black hardships in America but not others leaves Ifemulu irritated. Plenty of Americans are racist, but of those that claim otherwise, a lot choose to either don a white savior complex such as Kimberly or ignore race entirely. Ifemulu detests those that choose not to see race, as this discredits any hardship or hate crime experienced on racial grounds. These “color-blind” Americans, according to one of her blogs, will say "oh, it's not really race, it's class," or "gender," or "the cookie monster," or really any other scapegoat to explain prejudiced behavior but racism itself (Adichie 403). Something I found interesting is the discussion of race in American politics. To be a black politician in America is to conceal any radical views on racism until you’ve secured office. Ifemulu keeps a close eye on Obama’s candidacy and claims he can only win if he acts as the “magic” black man who “never gets angry, is never threatening, [and] always forgives all kinds of racist shit.” (Adichie 398). Many supporters of Obama are hesitant even to call him black, using words such as “biracial” and “multiracial," as if admitting that the election of a black man into office is too radical.

    Ifemulu's interactions with both white and black Americans give insight into what it means not only to be black, but a black immigrant in America. In Nigeria she is not black just as she is not white. She is a middle class returnee from the states whom, as society dictates, should find a rich man to marry. In America, she is black and will always be seen as such.

Race: A Predetermined Destiny

    Throughout Adichie’s Americanah, readers observe a recurring motif: society separates with racial designations, accompanied by preconceived stereotypes. Through Adichie’s lens, readers watch as this ideology shapes the decisions and lived experiences of characters throughout the novel.

Arriving in America, Ifemelu quickly realizes that those around her see her as black without regard for her story. In Nigeria, “race was not an issue” and Ifemelu even remembers that she “did not think of myself as black and I only became black when I came to America” (Adichie 359). This new designation is accompanied by a litany of expectations, such as her aspirational boundaries, preconceived education, and professionalism. She is inherently different. In a world where a hierarchy emphasizes the white appearance and culture, even braids can be perceived as unprofessional (Adichie 146). Expectations cause Ifemelu to conform to society’s standards in hopes of minimizing this separation. She relaxes her hair, adopts an American accent, and limits speaking out on racial issues, starting to assimilate and conform. Adichie’s portrays Ifemelu as a well-educated, confident, headstrong woman--and even she succumbs to the societal pressures in hopes of being seen as an American instead of black or an immigrant, suggesting that without conformity, there is seemingly no chance of equal perception. Even outside of America, other blacks shape to fit a mold. Obinze, a capable, respected businessman in Nigeria relies on a white man he met in England, Nigel. On the advice of others, Nigel helps him see “how doors will open for you because you have an oyinbo General Manager” (Adichie 33). Once again, light skin comes with automatic assumption of prowess. In Adichie’s commentary on race, she establishes that with a skin color comes a specific designation, separating groups within society.

What’s more, these expectations are predetermined, even if an individual doesn’t fit the stereotype they might look like. For example, Ifemelu realizes that Dike will never autonomy in his identity. Instead, “what he was, [African American or American African,] would be chosen for him” (Adichie 173). Dike was born in Africa, but raised in America, and he likely has an interesting story to tell. Yet, he will be judged without any regard for these nuances. African lived experiences are quite different than African American lived experiences in the United States, but Dike’s perceived experience will be chosen for him. Furthermore, just for the color of his skin, he should expect to “be hyper-mellow, never get too excited, or somebody will worry that you’re about to pull a gun” (Adichie 274). Adichie makes these claims showing that despite upbringing nor experiences, race equates to a designation that is general for all. Being marked as black impacts Dike’s experience in America, where he is labeled as a violent child and treated differently by church officials.

Many blacks in the novel realize that even by trying to conform, equality didn’t often follow. The preconceived notions on race were engrained, and only when Obama was elected President did Ifemelu, Blain, Dike, and other blacks see a glimmer of hope: “I can’t believe it. My President is black like me” (Adichie 447). For with a black President elected, perhaps those lines of differentiation truly had a chance of disintegrating.

Finding Love

In Americanah, we get a long look at both Ifemelu’s romantic relationships and how she perceives the relationships of those around her. There are recurring instances where Ifemulu witnesses and criticizes toxic relationships, such as in one of her blog posts about “Women in Lagos who define their lives by men they can never truly have, crippled by their culture of dependence” (Adichie, p.521). Yet in America, she can’t seem to find a relationship she can be fully fulfilled in either. By the end of the book, we see Ifemelu reconnect with her only genuine romantic love, Obinze. 

Ifemelu often faults the relationships she sees around her. On page 198, Ifemelu pities Kimberly and her relationship with Don, imagining he is probably cheating. However, when Ifemelu discovered Curt’s potential infidelity, she accepted it, claiming “Sparkling Paula was one more small adventure of his” (Adichie, p. 261). On page 184, “It saddened her [Ifemelu] that Aunty Uju had settled merely for what was familiar.” (Adichie) Later, Ifemelu feels like she doesn’t belong in Blaine’s social circle and their philosophies (Adichie, p. 399). I think feeling stable but not fulfilled is something Ifemelu has gotten used to in her relationships with Curt and Blaine. 

Ifemelu’s romantic relationships start and end with Obinze. We never see her feel the same way for others as Obinze, like how she describes her love on page 583. Her relationship with Obinze is the only relationship where she feels completely comfortable.  Not only can she finally open up to him about her encounter with the tennis coach, but he also understands her in a way no one else has. She tells Obinze, “I always saw the ceiling with other men“ (Adichie, p. 563). Likewise, Obinze wondered if she knew “how each day was infected by her, affected by her” (Adichie, p. 563). With Obinze, Ifemelu was finally valued for who she was and not expected to change into who her partner wanted her to be. I think it is interesting that during this time, she was also her most independent. She made her own decision to move back to Nigeria, and after quitting her initial job she began another blog. Although she, of course, wants Obinze, she doesn’t need to rely on him in the way we see many of the women rely on their partners in the book. I think Ifemelu finds the kind of love she has desired since the beginning of the book.

Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi. (2014). Americanah. New York: Anchor Books, a division of Random House LLC.

Ifemelu: Becoming an American

Ifemelu's relocation was more difficult because she did not know what to expect. Unlike Obinze who had read books about America and was well-versed in its culture, most of the experiences Ifemelu had in America were unfamiliar and because of that, she was eager to fit in. We can see this in the type of food she starts eating, the company she keeps and the blog posts she writes. Some areas of America were relatively easy for Ifemelu to adapt to but a major aspect of American culture that she struggled with was the way Americans talk and by talk, I do not just mean their accent, I also mean the mannerisms that occur. 

Ifemelu's conversation with Cristina Tomas was a significant turning point in her journey in America. After meeting Cristina who says "I bet you do, I just don't know how well" in response to Ifemelu telling her she speaks English (Adichie, pg 163), Ifemelu starts faking an American accent. This reminded me of my first class here which was a presentation class. During the class, I had to repeat myself three times before the professor could understand me and I was worried that my accent was going to affect my grade. This led me to start practicing an American accent also. In terms of mannerisms, Nigerians have been raised to be polite, greeting people, saying sorry even when they are not in the wrong but also only talking when they have something valuable to add to the conversation. So when Ifemelu comes here she is shocked by how different things are but she also starts adapting to it. Even Obinze notices this and tells her "You know you said "excited "?" about her media class (Adichie pg 167). This shows that sometimes it's almost impossible not to adapt to our new environment. However, I like that Ifemelu made a conscious effort to go back to her Nigerian accent because I believe you don't need to change everything about yourself just to fit in. The question Ifemelu asked herself "Why is it a compliment, an accomplishment to sound American?" (Adichie 215) made me think a lot and I realized that British people in America don't fake an American accent, instead, they get complimented but when people from countries in Africa or South Asia talk, it is suddenly difficult to understand what they are saying. This made me make a conscious effort to talk the same way I would if I were back in Nigeria. 

Another area in her journey to becoming an American that was difficult for Ifemelu was the concept of race in America. Coming from Nigeria where practically everyone was black to America which is very diverse was shocking. We see this throughout the book but particularly when Ifemelu says "I came from a country where race was not an issue; I did not think of myself as black and I only became black when I came to America." (Adichie, 359). Throughout the book both Adichie and Ifemelu explore this concept and though they might not get familiar with it, they understand it to a level.     

Does cross-culture affect relationships?

    Growing up in a primarily white community, I was put into a bubble where race and culture didn't seem to impact aspects of life. However, the novel, Americanah, revealed that many layers of life are affected by this. The most interesting layer is the impact race and culture have on relationships. As Ifemelu states to Obinze, "' The thing about cross-cultural relationships is that you spend so much time explaining'" (Adichie 562). All of Ifemelu's relationships in America support her claim. They're filled with power-hungry, objectifying, and intelligent-doubting men. Is it truly culture-indifference that explains these failed relationships? First, let's look at the relationship with Curt. He is a very wealthy, white male. In their relationship, he showered her with gifts, fancy trips, and new opportunities. He was able to spoil her in a way that she had never experienced before. However, there is a certain intelligence gap between them. She would read novels, while he watched football games. She would tease him about the stupidity of the sports (Adichie 246). This may seem like a silly example; however, Ifemelu wasn't ever able to grow intellectually with him. Does this have to do with the cultural difference? Ifemelu grew up in a world where education was prioritized because it provided opportunities for a better life. Curt grew up in a world where opportunities were handed to him. This major difference between them created a gap in their relationship that could never quite be fulfilled. Next, let's investigate Blaine's relationship. Even though differences in race weren't a factor in their relationship, they still faced issues. Their relationship was a professor-student style. For example, in Ifemelu's blog, he urges her to go into more depth, yet that is not the style Ifemelu is trying to portray. Her reluctance to follow her advice causes him to say, "' You're being lazy, Ifem'" (Adichie 387). There is a sense that he is trying to change her, to mold her into a more "intelligent" woman. Even though they both had to work hard to gain opportunities, there is still a disconnection between them. Is it because he grew up in a country where race is everything, while Ifemelu grew up in a country where race was invisible? These are the types of questions that strike me. Her relationships had many bumps potentially because of the cross-culture. I fully believe that relationships can work with anybody; however, there is always going to be extra effort put in when differences in culture occur. As soon as Ifemelu returned to Obinze, it was like destiny. It was so easy for them to dive right back into it (besides him having a wife, which is a different story). Is their relationship so easy because there is no explanation needed?

Aunty Uju's Relationships

   

    Adichie's portrayal of Aunty Uju undergoes a transformative journey throughout the novel, reflecting the evolving nature of her relationships. Initially, Aunty Uju serves as a mentor figure to Ifemelu, providing guidance and support. However, as her relationships shift and change, Aunty Uju takes on the role of a cautionary figure due to her willingness to sacrifice elements of her identity for comfort and acceptance in American society.

    Aunty Uju's relationship with The General is representative of the power dynamics that often exist in romantic relationships. Aunty Uju willingly becomes The General's mistress in exchange for financial security. She justifies this decision by characterizing Nigeria as an "ass-licking economy," where success is contingent on aligning oneself with those in positions of power (Adichie, 93). For Aunty Uju, aligning herself with influential individuals appears to be the only way to secure her future. She must compromise her values and ideals to submit to The General's demands, effectively restricting her personal freedom and decision-making abilities. Aunty Uju undergoes costly and painful beauty treatments and invests her time in maintaining superficial relationships. This success proves to be futile when the General dies, forcing Aunty Uju to uproot her life to move to America, demonstrating the fragility of her relationship. This relationship underscores the complexities of the power dynamics that often occur for women, especially immigrant women, who feel tied to their partner for economic stability.


    Upon her arrival in America, Ifemelu observes a significant change in Aunty Uju's persona. Aunty Uju quickly endeavors to "Americanize" herself to assimilate into her new society. Her initial interest in Bartholomew appears to be driven by a desire to replicate her previous relationship dynamics with The General. When explaining to Ifemelu her decision to quit her residency and move to Massachusetts with Bartholomew, Aunty Uju expresses the hope that they will marry in court to secure Bartholomew as Dike's legal guardian, further emphasizing her willingness to make sacrifices for economic stability (Adichie, 175). However, Aunty Uju ultimately abandons this relationship after realizing that it does not provide the financial security she had anticipated as she finds herself financially supporting Bartholomew when her expectations of him providing for her and Dike go unmet.


    Aunty Uju's relationships are complex, offering insights into the immigrant experience and power dynamics as well as the sacrifices necessary to support herself and her family. Aunty Uju serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating the consequences of sacrificing one’s values and identity in pursuit of economic stability.

The Tales of Two Beings: Different Sides of the Immigrant Experience in "Americanah"

    Adichie's portrayal of the immigrant experience in Americanah is multifaceted and everchanging through the parallelism in Ifemelu and Obinze's livelihood in foreign surroundings.

   Ifemelu's first instances in America reduced the small hope she had for herself. Growing up with Obinze, she familiarized herself with the glorification of the American experience through his fanaticism, where he only read American books because to him,"'America is the future'" (Adichie 84). Obinze's curiosity was a window of hope that traveled with her but that, after a couple of months, closed because of her lack of luck. She fell into a shadow of hopelessness and depression because she could not find a job and had no support system, to the point where "she left the dirty plates under her bed until greenish mold fluffed up around [them]" (Adichie 192). She always had Aunti Uju and Ginika, but both were wrapped up in their own problems and adaptations to America.

   Obinze's immigrant experience was the opposite of Ifemelu's from beginning to end. After several failed attempts to migrate to America, Obinze ultimately settled with the clandestine efforts of trying to create a life in England. Yet, despite the smoothness of finding a job, he felt unhappy, stressed, and unlike himself because he had to lie to maintain a life he wasn't sure of. He could not have a lasting life there because of those contradictions and doubts. Yet, unlike Ifemelu, he started with the support of his mother, who made sure "to clear away dirty plates from [Obinze's] room" (Adichie 289). The difference in plate status represents the contrasting circumstances of support both characters were in. While Ifemelu felt alone and neglected in her struggles to the point where she let all her worries pile up with no one to contact for help, Obinze always had the silent unconditionality of her mother.

   The beginning of these characters' respective immigrant lives would allow the reader to assume that Obinze, who had an immediate job opportunity and family support, would succeed and adapt faster despite his illegal status. Yet, the irony of their immigrant tales is that the opposite happened. While Ifemelu's miserable migrant life ascended into vast professional opportunities, Obinze's promising adventure descended into a self-perception of failure.

   Even though several reasons exist for the descent and rise of each character, the ultimate reason for their circumstances is each's relationship with their past lives. While Ifemelu's "ghosting" of Obinze marked the turning point of opportunity in America, Obinze's reminiscence of Ifemelu came in the most unwanted moments. The only chance Obinze had of staying in England was if he contrived matrimony with Cleo. Yet, despite his efforts to form a bond, the whole thing felt like a "forced intimacy" (Adichie, 283) because "Ifemelu came to his mind when he thought of love" (Adichie, 319), not allowing him to detach and start anew.

   They were each other's nostalgia trap. While one let go and the other held tight, one progressed professionally while the other was left behind. 

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.

Maternal Figures in "Americanah"

Maternal Figures in Americanah

    Americanah presents three maternal figures for Ifemelu: Ifemelu’s mother, Obinze’s mother, and Aunty Uju. They convey contrasting and complementary ideas about womanhood and personhood that influence who Ifemelu becomes. 

    Emotional instability defines Ifemelu’s mother, especially when she cuts her hair, proclaims that she has been “saved,” and announces that the family will attend a new church (Adichie 50). Cutting her hair is symptomatic of Ifemelu’s mother minimizing herself to conform to her new identity. “She bartered with [God], offering starvation in exchange for prosperity… She fasted herself bone-thin…” (Adichie 51). Enmeshment within a religious community educates Ifemelu about corruption in Nigeria. “Ifemelu did not think that God had given Pastor Gideon the big house and all those cars, he had of course bought them with money from the three collections at each service…” (Adichie 53). Ifemelu’s mother, however, uses religion to hide from reality, exhibited by her declaration that Aunty Uju’s newfound wealth is a miracle despite its obvious source (Adichie 54). 

    Aunty Uju is almost a progressive figure. Aunty Uju is a doctor, but her professional and financial security in Nigeria is derived from her proximity to the General (Adichie 55). Though her reliance on men as sources of stability leads directly to instability, Aunty Uju still instructs Ifemelu, after her breakup with Curt, “... to save the relationship, because she would not find another man who would love her as Curt had,” (Adichie 370). Ifemelu’s mother’s opinion is similar. “‘Remember that a woman is like a flower. Our time passes quickly,’” (Adichie 373). Additionally, Aunty Uju shrinks herself to assimilate in America. “Sometimes, while having a conversation, it would occur to Ifemelu that Aunty Uju had deliberately left behind something of herself, something essential, in a distant and forgotten place,” (Adichie 146). This mirrors Ifemelu's mother regarding religion. 

    Unlike Ifemelu’s mother and Aunty Uju, Obinze’s mother confronts power and asserts herself as a woman. The best example comes from Obinze’s explanation of why they left Nsukka. “‘She was on a committee and they discovered that this professor had misused funds and my mother accused him publicly and he got angry and slapped her and said he could not take a woman talking to him like that… She said she should not have been slapped because she is a full human being, not because she doesn’t have a husband to speak for her,’” (Adichie 71). Upon learning of her death, Ifemelu writes, “‘She was everything I wanted to be,’” (Adichie 459). 

    Ifemelu strongly embodies the principles of Obinze’s mother, going mostly in the opposite direction of her mother and Aunty Uju. Through her blog, she voices her opinions, gaining the financial stability to fully support herself (Adichie 378). While working at the magazine in Nigeria, she remains unafraid to express her thoughts, even if it could jeopardize her financial stability (Adichie 516). Ifemelu has learned, after observing her mother, Aunty Uju, and Obinze’s mother, that her greatest asset is her own intelligence and independence.