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Exploring Situational Authenticity in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Americanah: Can Ifemelu Remain Authentic While Adapting to American Culture? R149,36
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Exploring Situational Authenticity in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Americanah: Can Ifemelu Remain Authentic While Adapting to American Culture?
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  • Course
  • English literature and composition
  • Institution
  • Junior / 11th Grade
  • Book
  • Americanah

In Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s novel Americanah, the term “Americanah” is more than just a slang word; it encapsulates a complex cultural and social phenomenon experienced by Nigerian immigrants in America. This document delves into the intricacies of situational authenticity as it relates to ...

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Document information

  • August 13, 2024
  • 3
  • 2022/2023
  • Presentation
  • Unknown

Subjects

  • americanah meaning
  • ifemelu character study
  • immigrant experience
  • nigerian slang americanah
  • cultural adjustment
  • immigrant identity
  • literary an
  • literary analysis america
  • chimamanda ngozi adichie analysis

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  • Themes in Americanah
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  • Junior / 11th grade
  • English literature and composition
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Is situational authenticity Americanah?

“Americanah” is a slang term commonly found in Nigeria; it is used when referring to

someone who is “pretending to belong,” primarily to Nigerian immigrants going to America who

change some of their mannerisms and ways of life once they get to America. Americanah by

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie introduces the slang term when Ranyinudo and Priye talking to

Ifemelu before she leaves for America; Ranyinudo says, “She’ll come back and be a serious

Americanah like Bisi,” (Adichie 70). Throughout Ifemelu’s time in America, her ability to adjust

to the society around her is tested; her ability to be “Americanah.” Eventually, this ability to

adapt and change to fit into her surroundings becomes a natural skill to Ifemelu; despite this,

Ifemelu’s authenticity stays the same because her values never change.

Though Ifemelu may have fit into “Americanah,” she did not lose her authenticity.

At first, Ifemelu was shocked at the little things that went into being “Americanah,” such

as her time spent in the car with Aunty Uju. “Aunty Uju’s cell phone rang. “Yes, this is Uju.” She

pronounced it you-joo instead of oo-joo.” (109). Despite Ifemelu’s shock, It did not take her long

to adjust to being “Americanah.” It is a necessary part of being an immigrant in America. If one

does not walk, talk and act like a born-and-raised American, one will not receive as much respect

from those born and raised in America. Because of this, many immigrants are passed over.

Ifemelu quickly adjusts to this truth and changes her Nigerian accent so she can “pretend to

belong.” By definition, this makes Ifemelu “Americanah.” As the book progresses, Ifemelu is

forced into many other situations where she must continue adjusting to fit in.

Is it possible to be “Americanah” and authentic simultaneously? On the one hand, no,

because once a person lies, they can never stop lying regardless of how big or small of a lie. This

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