The title of Americanah is likely reflective of both what Ifemelu fears the most about being in American society and what inevitably happens to her, albeit to a lesser extent than her fears. Ifemelu fears that she will change as a result of living in American society. She fears the perceived importance of race in America will begin to impact her, as in America people are much more socially aware of the color of an individual's skin. Fortunately though it appears as though she is changed for the better through being able to analyze unique aspects of American society from an outsider’s perspective, thus resulting in a viewpoint that would likely be unachievable for Americans and Nigerians individually.
Ifemelu clearly sees the importance of race within American society, such as how it groups people together who may have initially seen themselves as different. This can be seen through her blog posts in which she describes how in America immigrants from vastly different countries must learn to accept that they are now grouped together based on the color of their skin (Adichie, 273). This demonstrates a clear shift in what Ifemelu is used to, and she further understands that other immigrants will likely also need to understand this different aspect of American society. Ifemelu also clearly shows discomfort when she must make changes to her physical routine due to living in America, such as beginning to pay closer attention to the style of her hair. This can be seen as she describes how relaxing her hair feels “like being in prison”, since it is a socially imposed burden she never had to deal with in Nigeria (Adichie, 257).
Although Ifemelu clearly shows disklike and discomfort for the unique importance of race in America compared to Nigeria, her spending time in America allows her to uniquely analyze American society from the perspective of an individual who didn’t grow up in that society. Through this unique perspective Ifemelu is able to acknowledge the importance of race in society (a clear change from her perspective when she lived in Nigeria), but is able to not simply accept the importance of race in America as normal. She questions the impacts of race’s importance in American society, as often seen within her blog. Ifemelu “only became black” when she entered American society, and therefore is able to compare and question the specific differences between a society where race matters (America) and one in which it does not (Nigeria) (Adichie, 273). This allows Ifemelu to make unique insights about race that likely wouldn’t be possible for those who have always grown up in such a system, such as her view that “in America, you don’t get to decide what race you are” (Adichie, 419). Additionally Ifemelu is able to use this unique perspective to help others through her blog, since her blogs can be a source of genuinely helpful information for immigrants who may be placed in a situation similar to hers in the future.
I share the view that the use of “Americanah” represents Ifemelu’s assimilation into America as an immigrant. Beyond what Ifemelu becomes as a result of her American experience, I also believe that the label “Americanah” reflects the view of people like Ifemelu upon return to Nigeria.
ReplyDeleteUpon Ifemelu’s return to Nigeria, Ranyinudo points out her Americanized perspective by calling her “Americanah.” However, this innocent nickname seems to carry a complex perception about Nigerians who are returning home. Ifemelu’s experience with race may have been left back in America, but she finds herself in an identity ambiguity upon her return to Nigeria. She is no longer just a Nigerian as she was before she immigrated, as now the way that others perceive her is very well based on her having lived in America.
Ranyinudo uses “Americanah” to respond to Ifemelu’s seemingly exaggerated complaints. Tochi calls Ifemelu “Madam America” and seems to be “determined to battle Ifemelu’s Americanness” (Adichie 491). Ifemelu’s new boss seems to be more compliant of Ifemelu’s critical opinions because she comes from America, otherwise, she would have been fired immediately (Adichie 484).
As you’ve said, Ifemelu’s feared change after time in America comes true, but she only begins to completely grasp it after returning to Nigeria. For better or for worse, America is a crucial part of Ifemelu’s identity now. Through the fictional tale of Ifemelu, Adichie portrays a very much real phenomenon of the “Americanah” faced by returning immigrants all around the world.