The present research paper aims to prove in a first step that the American Dream acts as a leitmotif throughout the entire novel, thus showing that it is ideally suited as an object of investigation, in order to explore and discuss in a further step whether Ifemelu's American Dream can ultimately be regarded as fulfilled or disappointed, including the emphasis on important literary topoi such as race, the question of women’s rights and social matters.
Due to the paper’s given length and the particular subject chosen, the following analysis will mainly focus on Ifemelu and her experiences, as she actually leaves Nigeria for the U.S. and then comes back to her home country, thus representing the perfect research subject under the thesis of the American Dream, it’s reliving and consequences through her personae. As for Obinze, who experiences similar difficulties in the U.K., a comparison does present itself, but can only be the subject of another research paper.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Notions of the American Dream in Americanah
2.1.American Dreaming
2.1.1. Stereotypes
2.1.2. Perspectives on femaleness and independency
2.1.3. Outward circumstances
2.2.Culture shock
2.2.1. Race
2.2.2. Poverty.
2.2.3. Black Femininity.
2.3.Homecoming.
2.3.1. Identity
2.3.2. Home
2.3.3. The Nigerian Dream.
3. Conclusion
Objectives & Themes
This research paper examines the American Dream as a central literary leitmotif in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s novel Americanah, exploring how the protagonist Ifemelu's experiences in the U.S. and her eventual return to Nigeria shape her evolving identity and redefine her understanding of success and belonging.
- The role of the American Dream in driving migration and shaping immigrant experiences.
- Intersectionality in the U.S., specifically focusing on race, black femininity, and institutionalized poverty.
- The impact of cultural expectations and gender roles on the protagonist's identity formation.
- The socio-political contrast between Nigeria and the United States as catalysts for personal growth.
- The transition from a foreign, idealist American dream to a self-defined "Nigerian Dream."
Excerpt from the Book
2.2.1. Race
In a 2014 interview on the release of Americanah, Adichie states the following: “When I came to the U.S., I found myself taking on a new identity, or no, rather I found a new identity thrust upon me. I became black […].” (The Aspen Institute “Americanah”, 00:03:01-00:03:10 min). This very same declaration applies perfectly to Ifemelu upon her arrival in America: she quickly becomes aware of herself being branded as black and realizes even quicker that this attribution does in general not carry a positive connotation. Much later in the story, she resumes this awakening of her racial awareness at a dinner party at one of her boyfriend Blaine’s friend’s:
The only reason you say that race was not an issue is because you wish it was not. We all wish it was not. But it’s a lie. 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 290)
The reason Ifemelu sounds so angry in a seemingly soothing atmosphere is due to the fact that previously, every single aspect that went wrong when starting her life in America, can be traced back to racism, sometimes obvious and raw but more often hidden and supposedly well-intentioned. Her first personal encounter with racism happens on registration day in her new university in Philadelphia. The student who is responsible for freshmen admissions, Cristina Tomas, boldly supposes that Ifemelu might not understand her even though they both share the same native tongue – judging her solely based on her skin color and accent (Adichie 133).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the author and the novel, establishing the American Dream as a primary analytical leitmotif for the protagonist's migration journey.
2. Notions of the American Dream in Americanah: This section provides a structured analysis of Ifemelu's motives for leaving, the cultural challenges faced upon arrival in the U.S., and the eventual process of returning home to Nigeria.
2.1.American Dreaming: This chapter analyzes the preconceived notions and stereotypes Ifemelu holds before moving to America, as well as the social and political influences that shape her decision.
2.1.1. Stereotypes: An examination of the naïve, media-driven image of the U.S. that Ifemelu adopts before migrating.
2.1.2. Perspectives on femaleness and independency: This analysis explores how specific female role models in Nigeria influenced Ifemelu's early perceptions of gender and independence.
2.1.3. Outward circumstances: A look at the socio-political factors, such as academic strikes and corruption, that encouraged the protagonist to seek better opportunities abroad.
2.2.Culture shock: An overview of the clash between Ifemelu's expectations and the reality of her life as an immigrant in the United States.
2.2.1. Race: This chapter explores Ifemelu’s racial awakening and her experiences with institutional and everyday racism in America.
2.2.2. Poverty.: An analysis of the systemic barriers and economic struggles faced by immigrants, regardless of their qualifications.
2.2.3. Black Femininity.: This chapter discusses the intersectional challenges of black women, focusing on hair politics and underrepresentation in the beauty industry.
2.3.Homecoming.: This section covers Ifemelu's return to Nigeria and the subsequent shifts in her self-perception and identity.
2.3.1. Identity: A discussion on how Ifemelu reconstructs her identity through her blog and her return to the familiar Nigerian context.
2.3.2. Home: This chapter analyzes the hybrid feeling of being "at home" and how Ifemelu reconciles her memories with the changed reality of Lagos.
2.3.3. The Nigerian Dream.: This final analytical chapter shows how Ifemelu applies her international experiences to create a unique, self-determined vision for her future in Nigeria.
3. Conclusion: A summary of the findings, confirming the American Dream as a leitmotif and reflecting on the importance of the novel in addressing contemporary social issues.
Keywords
American Dream, Americanah, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Immigration, Identity, Race, Black Femininity, Diaspora, Nigeria, Cultural Appropriation, Socio-political context, Gender roles, Homecoming, Literature Analysis, Migration
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s novel Americanah, analyzing the American Dream as a central leitmotif that drives the protagonist's journey, transformation, and ultimate return to Nigeria.
What are the primary themes discussed in the work?
The central themes include the complexities of immigrant identity, systemic racism in the U.S., the specific experiences of black women, the struggle for independence, and the concept of "home."
What is the main objective of the researcher?
The objective is to demonstrate that the American Dream acts as a leitmotif throughout the novel, ultimately exploring whether the protagonist’s dream is fulfilled or disappointed.
Which scientific method is utilized in this paper?
The paper uses a literary and sociological analysis, dividing the narrative into chronological stages and contrasting the protagonist's idealist expectations with the realities of migration.
What is covered in the main body of the paper?
The main body covers Ifemelu's motives for migration, her experiences with culture shock and race in America, and the processes of identity formation during her eventual return to Nigeria.
Which keywords best characterize the paper?
The paper is characterized by terms such as American Dream, identity, migration, race, black femininity, and cultural appropriation.
How does the author define the "Nigerian Dream" in the context of the novel?
The "Nigerian Dream" is conceptualized as a shift in Ifemelu’s identity after returning from abroad, where she applies the work ethic and independence gained in the U.S. to redefine her life in Nigeria on her own terms.
In what way does the paper address the role of female role models?
The paper highlights three key women in Ifemelu's early life—her mother, her aunt Uju, and Obinze’s mother—whose disparate lives and struggles with Nigerian patriarchal structures influence Ifemelu’s decision to move to America.
How does the concept of race differ for the protagonist in Nigeria versus the U.S.?
The paper explains that for Ifemelu, race was not a prominent issue in Nigeria, whereas in the U.S., she is suddenly thrust into an identity as a "black woman" and must navigate the implications of that label.
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- Annabelle Koberg (Autor:in), 2020, Notions of the American Dream in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s novel "Americanah", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/990423
