I think the title Americanah is not given as a criticism
to Ifemelu but rather suggests an accurate word to embody not only Ifemelu’s
fears of becoming it but also her observations of how she sees others changing.
When Ifemelu returns to Nigeria, we
see that she has changed, as Ifemelu notes when she mentions, “She was no
longer sure what was new in Lagos and what was new in herself” (478). This line
suggests Ifemelu is expressing her fears that she has embodied Americanah.
However, in her case, it is not that she has adapted to America and is now
hypercritical of Nigeria but rather that she doesn’t feel she belongs in either
place, which then complicates the idea of the word Americanah. When Ifemelu
returns to Nigeria and meets up with her friends, Ranyinudo notes, “You are
looking at things with American eyes. But the problem is that you are not even
a real Americanah. At least if you had an American accent we would tolerate
your complaining.” (475-6) In noting that Ifemelu is not a “real Americanah,”
Ranyinudo is pinpointing that Ifemelu has gotten used America’s routines and comforts
but has not changed by losing herself in trying to conform to the American way.
From Ranyinudo’s statement, it is suggested that Americanah is conforming to
the American lifestyle in such a way that you’re fundamentally different, which
makes you critical, and Ifemelu lacks the former.
In fact, we see the duality in
Ifemelu critiquing both Nigeria and America in equal measure, finding negatives
in both. Ifemelu faces discomfort in America because of the issue of race, as
she notes, “I only became black when I came to America,” (359) but she faces
discomfort in Nigeria because of its lack of modern conveniences as she notes
when “Warm, humid air gagged the room, and soon Ifemelu was tossing in the
wetness of her own sweat.” (481)
Because of this, the line “…she
felt suddenly guiltily grateful that she had a blue American passport in her
bag. It shielded her from choicelessness. She could always leave; she did not
have to stay.” (481) shows that Ifemelu is not tethered to one place, but
rather in saying the passport “shielded her from choicelessness,” it is
suggested that a part of Ifemelu rests in both places, giving her the option to
travel between them and not resigning herself to being strictly American or
Nigerian.
Therefore, the book’s title does
not seem to stem from critique of Ifemelu, as she has not conformed to America in
many ways. Ifemelu contrasts figures like Ginika who have conformed entirely to
the American lifestyle, as Ifemelu observes, “her American-accented words”
(152) and how she “was struck by how like her American friends Ginika had
become.” (152) America has made Ifemelu more outspoken and experienced, but it has
not fundamentally changed her like it did Ginika. Because of this, Americanah’s title is more an account of
Ifemelu’s fears and observations than a title she earned herself.
Continuing with this post, I agree that Ifemelu did not let America change her roots and customs. She did not completely conform to the American customs and lifestyle choices, however, she did change a little bit. I support the opinion that Ifemelu is truly not an Americanah and it stems from the fact that she is very observant, but I disagree that Ifemelu is fearful of becoming an Americanah. Ifemelu could have easily succumbed to the American lifestyle filled with convenience, but she made a consciences effort to also stay true to her Nigerian heritage. I believe that if Ifemelu had not been around Ginika and realized how much Ginika had changed, Ifemelu would not have realized how much America has changed her thus far. I agree with the observation made by Rebecca that Ifemelu is contrasting figures who have been engulfed by American lifestyles and these observations are a key reason why Ifemelu did not fully conform to the American lifestyle. However, I do not think that Ifemelu doesn’t become an Americanah because she is fearful. I believe that Ifemelu makes an effort to not become an Americanah because she is guilty about changing her true identity of being Nigerian. I believe that it’s more about maintaining her cultural identity and embracing the fact that she is Nigerian, rather than being scared to become an Americanah. Ifemelue wouldn’t feel “suddenly guiltily grateful that she had a blue American passport in her bag.” if she was fearful of becoming an Americanah (481). The fact that she is grateful to be able to come and go to America as she pleases, shows that she appreciates the American lifestyle, not fears it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the emphasis placed on Ifemelu's feeling of being untethered to either place, and it reminded me of her observation regarding Dike and the African Students Association vs. the Black Student Union - "she thought of Dike, wondered which he would go to in college, whether ASA or BSU, and what he would be considered, whether American African or African American. He would have to choose what he was, or rather, what he was would be chosen for him" (173). This “oppressive lethargy of choicelessness” came to mind when discussing Ifemelu's 'fear' of becoming a stereotypical Americanah because at least she has a choice, whereas others like Dike do not (341). Ifemelu can choose who she wants to be while many others will unfortunately have their identities dictated by society. She has her American passport and she is unencumbered by any strong feelings of identity associated with either Nigeria or America, so she is free to travel and identify however she pleases. Now, a lack of identity can be a problem, given this novel is a coming-of-age story about a young woman who’s struggling to find herself, but there’s so much more to Ifemelu than where she comes from or where she lives. “Hungry for choice and certainty,” she is on a journey to discover herself separate from American expectations and Nigerian expectations (341). So I do agree with Rebecca and Tiana in that Ifemelu is free to pick and choose certain aspects to embrace from both cultures and that, by appreciating the American lifestyle (rather than fearing it), she has not changed by losing herself in conforming exclusively to either culture or lifestyle.
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