In Americanah, a bestselling novel by Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the young Nigerian female protagonist Ifemelu, who had moved to America in hopes of creating a better life for herself, looks back on the stages and loves of her life as she prepares to return to Nigeria for the first time in many years. Adichie uses hair as a symbol to journey through the stages of Ifemelu’s life and relationships. A woman’s relationship with her hair can represent one’s struggle to find identity and confidence. In Americanah, Adichie addresses Ifemelu’s relationships with men but also with hair to mirror her journey of self-determination.
At a young age, Ifemelu witnessed the effect one’s hair can have on a woman’s life. Growing up in Nigeria, she admired her mother’s locks, beautiful hair that was constantly complimented. Nevertheless, her mother decided to cut it all off for the sake of her new found religion. “…When Ifemelu brought it [the scissors] to her, she raised it to her head and, handful by handful, chopped off all of her hair. Ifemelu stared, stunned. The hair lay on the floor like dead grass” (50). Ifemelu was shocked by her mother’s willingness to cut her hair with such ease because of religion. It was difficult for Ifemelu to understand how her mother could allow this new religion to control her independence.
As Ifemelu began her life as a …show more content…
Adichie explores Ifemelu’s journey for self-determination throughout the novel. Hair is used as a symbol for the ups and downs Ifemelu faces in America. Beauty for African- American women is a completely different journey from the journeys of other women. But an African woman in America can embracing their journey for beauty and identity despite the expectation to conform. Ifemelu struggled finding herself, and the reader witnessed this road to identity satisfaction through her stages of
At a young age, Ifemelu witnessed the effect one’s hair can have on a woman’s life. Growing up in Nigeria, she admired her mother’s locks, beautiful hair that was constantly complimented. Nevertheless, her mother decided to cut it all off for the sake of her new found religion. “…When Ifemelu brought it [the scissors] to her, she raised it to her head and, handful by handful, chopped off all of her hair. Ifemelu stared, stunned. The hair lay on the floor like dead grass” (50). Ifemelu was shocked by her mother’s willingness to cut her hair with such ease because of religion. It was difficult for Ifemelu to understand how her mother could allow this new religion to control her independence.
As Ifemelu began her life as a …show more content…
Adichie explores Ifemelu’s journey for self-determination throughout the novel. Hair is used as a symbol for the ups and downs Ifemelu faces in America. Beauty for African- American women is a completely different journey from the journeys of other women. But an African woman in America can embracing their journey for beauty and identity despite the expectation to conform. Ifemelu struggled finding herself, and the reader witnessed this road to identity satisfaction through her stages of