Is Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie a Reading of Postcolonial Theory? A Re-reading of Purple Hibiscus and Americanah

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.