Class
Article
College
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Department
English Department
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Abstract
Critics of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's novels identify her as a nationalist author, as representing the voices on the periphery, and as advocating for multiple voices and perspectives. Critics have also largely dismissed sexuality as a factor in her representations and have regarded her graphic descriptions of intimacy as mere entertainment or as a means to provoke criticism. I will argue that Adichie does include many instances of sexual intimacy in her novels, not as an escape from the tough subjects that she details, but to express the effects of public problems on individuals. Ultimately, the complexity of sexuality in her novels demonstrates that sexual intimacy for women can exist outside of the expectation of motherhood. In this project, I will analyze the abundant descriptions of sex in Adichie's novels Half of a Yellow Sun and Americanah to determine the parallels between intimate moments and public turmoil. I will contrast Adichie's novels with other depictions of female protagonists and their relationships with sexuality, particularly by Nigerian women authors. Adichie's work stands out from other accounts because of the complexity of sexuality and the noticeable rift between motherhood and intimacy not typical in depictions of Igbo-Nigerian women. I have found these unique representations of female sexuality defy stereotypical representations, which Adichie identifies as an important practice. Adichie, while addressing an international audience, directs the representation of sexuality to fellow Nigerian women as a means of empowering them to have varied sexual experiences outside of expected motherhood roles.
Location
Room 101
Start Date
4-10-2019 1:30 PM
End Date
4-10-2019 2:45 PM
Included in
"The Grittiness of Being Human": Individualizing Sexual Expectations in Adichie's Novels
Room 101
Critics of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's novels identify her as a nationalist author, as representing the voices on the periphery, and as advocating for multiple voices and perspectives. Critics have also largely dismissed sexuality as a factor in her representations and have regarded her graphic descriptions of intimacy as mere entertainment or as a means to provoke criticism. I will argue that Adichie does include many instances of sexual intimacy in her novels, not as an escape from the tough subjects that she details, but to express the effects of public problems on individuals. Ultimately, the complexity of sexuality in her novels demonstrates that sexual intimacy for women can exist outside of the expectation of motherhood. In this project, I will analyze the abundant descriptions of sex in Adichie's novels Half of a Yellow Sun and Americanah to determine the parallels between intimate moments and public turmoil. I will contrast Adichie's novels with other depictions of female protagonists and their relationships with sexuality, particularly by Nigerian women authors. Adichie's work stands out from other accounts because of the complexity of sexuality and the noticeable rift between motherhood and intimacy not typical in depictions of Igbo-Nigerian women. I have found these unique representations of female sexuality defy stereotypical representations, which Adichie identifies as an important practice. Adichie, while addressing an international audience, directs the representation of sexuality to fellow Nigerian women as a means of empowering them to have varied sexual experiences outside of expected motherhood roles.