Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Nigerian literature Women's Studies African American Studies
Abstract:
Abstract
ChimamandaNgoziAdichie is a Nigerian writer who explores areas of social inequality for people of color through her writing. In her three novels, Purple Hibiscus, Half of a Yellow Sun, andAmericanah,Adichiechallenges social norms in both Nigeria and the U.S. by directly addressing racism, sexism, and classism. Unlike many Black women authors of the past, Adichie has received overwhelming approval from the literary community as well as the general public. Even though addressing similar subjects, Zora Neale Hurston, Michelle Wallace, and Alice Walker experienced backlash from the Black community as well as criticism from their contemporaries. Adichie’s approach is straightforward and confrontational, raising awareness of the issues within the Black community, yet she has had more success than these women. Using analysis based in reception theory, this thesis proposes that Adichie’s success lies in the readiness of her audience to read a work like hers while also comparing the reception of Adichie to that of other Black women writers.
