Abstract:
The study examines two of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s novel – Purple
Hibiscus and Americanah within the context of postcolonial theory. The overall
research purpose stressed on whether or not the two works (Purple Hibiscus and
Americanah) are readings of postcolonial theory. This was because, Adichie
herself, through her comments seems to reject the postcolonial theory.
However, researchers and other academician argue that her novels fall within
the purview of postcolonial theory. Therefore, the study sought to assess, how
her works support or differ from the postcolonial theory. Additionally, the study
examine how Adichie’s feminism stance and TED talks are opposed to
postcolonial theory The study, adopted the interpretivists approach where the
content of Adichie’s works were qualitatively analysed in comparison with
postcolonial theory. The findings from re-reading of her works revealed that,
Adichie does not pursue a postcolonial theoretical objective but one of women
emancipation and gender parity. Furthermore, concerning Adichies’ stance on
feminism, the study revealed that the historical rifts between postcolonialism
and (liberal) feminism gives rise to gender blindness of postcolonialism due to
its unfettered anti-colonial focus and lack of attention to internal injustices.
Adichie therefore believes that postcolonialism’s suspicion of feminism
implicate it in the activities of imperialism; hence Adichie’s aversion to the
postcolonial theory gains meaning. To help create clarity the study
recommended that further studies should examine the inherent stylistic devices
used in the Purple Hibiscus and Americanah.
