Ifemelu Analysis
The three major themes of Americanah in the first two thirds of the book that I believe play a role in shaping the story include family values, racial prejudice, and identity. While I’ll be focusing on Ifemelu in these examples, there are other characters who shared similar experiences regarding these themes. The story sets Ifemelu in present-day America; it isn’t until the beginning of chapter 3 that Ifemelu’s rough past is introduced. Although raised by caring parents, often financial problems in her parents’ lives would lead them to fall behind on rent. Regardless, her parents continued to care for Ifemelu themselves - determined to command their own lives, usually even reluctant to ask others for help. Ifemelu thought to herself, “Her father
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Although she agreed to recognize certain American lifestyles - for instance, settling to wear a dress she thought was “shapeless” for Ginika’s intern party - the aspects that were the most difficult for Ifemelu included her adopting an American accent as well as straightening her hair. Originally, one of the most difficult things she gave up was her Nigerian accent, which was a part of her. After being rejected from job after job, Ifemelu began to blame herself. She wondered, could it be because of her accent? In addition, she was beginning to be fed up by the people who would over-enunciate words because her accent made them believe she didn’t speak or understand English well. Later, however, after reaching the lowest point in her life, she would find more success in building a new identity - one that would make her give up her new American accent. Another aspect, Ifemelu gave up of her Nigerian self, was her braided hair. When Ifemelu had an interview coming up in Baltimore, Ruth and Aunty Uju both gave the advice that she should lose the braids and straighten her hair to look more presentable. After putting on artificial relaxer, she barely recognized herself. Soon after, she noticed that her hairline was beginning to recede. Appalled, she was done pretending what her hair was not, and reverted to a more natural hairstyle, and to who she really
Although she agreed to recognize certain American lifestyles - for instance, settling to wear a dress she thought was “shapeless” for Ginika’s intern party - the aspects that were the most difficult for Ifemelu included her adopting an American accent as well as straightening her hair. Originally, one of the most difficult things she gave up was her Nigerian accent, which was a part of her. After being rejected from job after job, Ifemelu began to blame herself. She wondered, could it be because of her accent? In addition, she was beginning to be fed up by the people who would over-enunciate words because her accent made them believe she didn’t speak or understand English well. Later, however, after reaching the lowest point in her life, she would find more success in building a new identity - one that would make her give up her new American accent. Another aspect, Ifemelu gave up of her Nigerian self, was her braided hair. When Ifemelu had an interview coming up in Baltimore, Ruth and Aunty Uju both gave the advice that she should lose the braids and straighten her hair to look more presentable. After putting on artificial relaxer, she barely recognized herself. Soon after, she noticed that her hairline was beginning to recede. Appalled, she was done pretending what her hair was not, and reverted to a more natural hairstyle, and to who she really