Exploring Diasporic Identity in Adichie's Americanah

Abstract

Taking Bhabha’s concept of hybridity as an analytical tool, the present study aims to explore the process and problems of diasporic identity, its process, and problems through the protagonists’ diasporic experiences in Chimamanda’s Americanah through inductive approach by using textual analysis. The newness and attractiveness of a host land and the rootedness of a homeland problematize life for Ifemelu, the protagonist. She struggles hard to cope with the diasporic situation; however, the dominant narrative of identity and belonging of a host country does not assimilate her who live in an “in-between” space. As a result, she is torn between two cultures without any stable base for her genuine identity and is in continuous struggle for constructing, deconstructing, and reconstructing her genuine identity.       

       Keywords: diasporic identity; hybridity; mimicry; ambivalence; unhomeliness; Homi K. Bhabha; Americanah