INTRO
The immigrant experience in America can differ depending on what you look like and where you come from. Immigrants in America get treated much differently because of the qualities immigrants may or may not have. So they have to assimilate and change the way they are to fit into the American melting pot. Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a novel about a Nigerian woman named Ifemelu. Ifemelu is a well-educated woman who immigrates to America for a better education. Her life becomes more than that when her experience in America becomes a bit hectic. She finds out that living in America isn’t easy and it’s expensive. She goes through a lot when living in America which includes her on and off relationship with Obinze, her ex-boyfriend, …show more content…
Eilis’ immigration experience can be compared to Ifemelus’ experience when immigrating to America.Eilis was originally from Ireland and decided to go to Brooklyn for a better life. This is similar to Ifemelu who came to America for a better education. However, Eilis didn’t face prejudice like Ifemelu did and that was because she was white. When Ifemelu came to America she had to take someone else 's identity and fake her accent. Eilis wouldn’t have to do that since she’s white and speaks English. It was also easier for Eilis to get a job because she was white. Ifemelu tried hard to get a job and basically did whatever she could to get some money. The men in America knew that Ifemelu was a foreigner and they wanted to take advantage of that. Also, not only did they know she was a foreigner but in America, some would argue that black people have an inherently more difficult time assimilating because of the legacy of …show more content…
“ Look at Elizabeth, I have to be very careful with her. If you are not careful in this country, your children become what you don’t know. It’s different back home because you can control them. Here, no.”(Adiche 137). Jane is afraid that her daughter will end up a reckless African American instead of a well mannered and intelligent American African. Growing up in America as an African American is a bit harder than immigrating from another country and living here. Being born in America exposes you to experiences you wouldn’t have in Nigeria. They learn about slavery and they believe that they are inferior to whites. They walk around America knowing that they can be judged and racially profiled at any time and there’s nothing they can do about it. An American African wouldn’t know much about slavery and how things were for black people in America. They wouldn’t know about how black people had to fight for their rights for a long time to be accepted by white people. So if a Nigerian person came to America they would either be surprised to see a white person or they’d think that black and white people are equal because they are two races living in America at the same time. An American African would have a hard time getting used to America and noticing that things are different here. If Nigerians were to bring
The immigrant experience in America can differ depending on what you look like and where you come from. Immigrants in America get treated much differently because of the qualities immigrants may or may not have. So they have to assimilate and change the way they are to fit into the American melting pot. Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a novel about a Nigerian woman named Ifemelu. Ifemelu is a well-educated woman who immigrates to America for a better education. Her life becomes more than that when her experience in America becomes a bit hectic. She finds out that living in America isn’t easy and it’s expensive. She goes through a lot when living in America which includes her on and off relationship with Obinze, her ex-boyfriend, …show more content…
Eilis’ immigration experience can be compared to Ifemelus’ experience when immigrating to America.Eilis was originally from Ireland and decided to go to Brooklyn for a better life. This is similar to Ifemelu who came to America for a better education. However, Eilis didn’t face prejudice like Ifemelu did and that was because she was white. When Ifemelu came to America she had to take someone else 's identity and fake her accent. Eilis wouldn’t have to do that since she’s white and speaks English. It was also easier for Eilis to get a job because she was white. Ifemelu tried hard to get a job and basically did whatever she could to get some money. The men in America knew that Ifemelu was a foreigner and they wanted to take advantage of that. Also, not only did they know she was a foreigner but in America, some would argue that black people have an inherently more difficult time assimilating because of the legacy of …show more content…
“ Look at Elizabeth, I have to be very careful with her. If you are not careful in this country, your children become what you don’t know. It’s different back home because you can control them. Here, no.”(Adiche 137). Jane is afraid that her daughter will end up a reckless African American instead of a well mannered and intelligent American African. Growing up in America as an African American is a bit harder than immigrating from another country and living here. Being born in America exposes you to experiences you wouldn’t have in Nigeria. They learn about slavery and they believe that they are inferior to whites. They walk around America knowing that they can be judged and racially profiled at any time and there’s nothing they can do about it. An American African wouldn’t know much about slavery and how things were for black people in America. They wouldn’t know about how black people had to fight for their rights for a long time to be accepted by white people. So if a Nigerian person came to America they would either be surprised to see a white person or they’d think that black and white people are equal because they are two races living in America at the same time. An American African would have a hard time getting used to America and noticing that things are different here. If Nigerians were to bring