SR: Postcolonial Studies: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Hello viewers!👋
I am Maya Batiya,
A student of M.A. sem-3 Department of English, M.K.B.U.
This blog is part of the Sunday reading assignment given by Dilip Barad Sir. It will explore the concepts from Chimamanda Adichie's videos.
SR: Postcolonial Studies: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (born September 15, 1977, Enugu, Nigeria) is a Nigerian writer whose second novel, Half of a Yellow Sun (2006), gained international acclaim for its depiction of the devastation caused by the Nigerian Civil War. Her novels, short stories, and nonfiction explore the intersections of identity.
Early in life Adichie, the fifth of six children, moved with her Igbo parents to Nsukka, Nigeria. A voracious reader from a young age, she found Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart transformative. After studying medicine for a time in Nsukka, in 1997 she left for the United States, where she studied communication and political science at Eastern Connecticut State University (B.A., 2001). Splitting her time between Nigeria and the United States, she received a master’s degree in creative writing from Johns Hopkins University and studied African history at Yale University.
∆∆ Talk on importance of Story / Literature :
Chimamanda Adichie grew up reading novels filled with references to weather, apples, foreign characters, and other elements far removed from her own experiences. She initially didn't realize how different her reality was from the worlds depicted in these books.
Ngugi wa Thiong'o's work, "Decolonizing the Mind: The Politics of Language in African Literature," discusses the idea of rejecting the colonizer's language. However, he also emphasizes that writers must make a deliberate choice about their language, and the third phase of postcolonialism he describes is "Adept," with an "E" instead of an "O," signifying mastery of the language.
Adichie, in her writing, chooses language as a means to portray her own story, environment, and social context. She recognizes the significance of her own representation in literature and questions whether characters like her exist in the literary world. These are fundamental issues that often go unnoticed.
As an avid reader, I sometimes see myself reflected in literature but overlook this reality. For instance, while reading "Waiting for Godot," I relate to Vladimir's existential wait, though I’m unsure what for. Similarly, in "Jude the Obscure," Jude’s struggles and eventual demise resonate with me. Adichie also shares a story about her American roommate who assumed that, as a Black woman, Adichie couldn't speak English fluently and expected her to have a tragic background, reflecting a common Western stereotype of Africa.
In America, discussions about immigrants often focus primarily on those from Mexico, which is a problematic generalization. Chimamanda Adichie emphasizes that the details of stories—how, when, who, and how many times—are crucial. Asking about an event like rape in Africa to someone living in America with an African identity highlights the issue of the "single story."
Chinua Achebe argues for a balanced narrative, and Adichie builds on this by asserting that stories are vital for presenting multiple perspectives, interpretations, and experiences.
∆∆ We Should All Be Feminist :
In this video, Adichie highlights everyday incidents we often overlook. For example, a restaurant waiter might not greet a woman because he assumes the man with her is the primary person to be addressed. Similarly, a parking attendant might thank the man who paid, assuming he is the main source of income.
Adichie also points out that schools might neglect monitoring female students due to assumptions about gender roles. While biological differences between genders are acknowledged, social norms often exaggerate these differences. Wangari Maathai's observation that "the higher you go, the fewer women there are" reflects this reality, and Adichie resonates with Maathai's feeling of invisibility when women are ignored or undervalued.
When a woman earns more than her husband, she might feel pressured to compromise or downplay her achievements. Society often views unmarried, successful women as failures, regardless of their accomplishments. The language surrounding marriage can be complex and problematic.
Adichie advocates for focusing on individual abilities, creativity, adaptability, and interests rather than gender. She emphasizes that "culture does not make people, people make the culture," highlighting our capacity to shift societal attitudes toward gender bias. Her book's title reflects that feminism is not about gender but about advocating for equality.
∆∆ Talk on importance of Truth in Post-Truth Era :
In this video, Adichie emphasized the crucial role of truth and suggested that one should treat literature with the same reverence as religion. She noted that as Harvard students, individuals have the power and responsibility to influence their surroundings, which comes with high expectations.
In a world full of falsehoods, Adichie stressed the importance of standing by the truth, even admitting her own ignorance about Harvard as a way to challenge the aura of intellectual elitism associated with it. She encouraged people to embrace uncertainty and be willing to say, "I don't know."
Furthermore, Adichie highlighted the value of experimentation and persistence rather than adhering to traditional paths. She identified "self-doubt" and "self-belief" as crucial qualities that, when combined, help individuals confront falsehoods and maintain their commitment to truth.
Thank you.. 🍂🍁🍂
