Conformity Vs Individuality
In chapters 1-11 of Americanah author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie details in the lives of Aunty Uju and Obinze a shared willingness to conform to Nigeria’s corrupt politics and dog-eat-dog society, even though doing so went against their personal beliefs and values. As such, the repercussions of their compliance, ironically, come at the detriment of their own happiness and fortune. The theme of conformity vs individuality is, therefore, explored through the feeling of emptiness that consumes Uju and Obinze, as they question whether they were right to sacrifice their individuality once the momentary happiness they bought themselves dried up.
In the case of Obinze, the benefits of conforming, made clear to him during his time with “Big Man,” Chief, …show more content…
Before she became the mistress of the General, Uju had been hopeful about the future of Nigeria, and she herself, an intellectual like Obinze, was determined to play a part in it by opening her own clinic: “Nigeria will not be like this forever…. I will start my own clinic, and on the Island!”(pg.56) However, Uju tossed aside her aspirations and optimism on becoming the bedmate of the General, a government official whose power had roots in Nigeria’s corruption and instability. Moreover, it was not love for the General that convinced her to act so out of character and turn a blind eye on her country’s problems, but her infatuation with the General’s power: “I was attracted to him even with his teeth like Dracula. I was attracted to his power.”(pg.93) All of a sudden the way things were in Nigeria no longer bothered Uju, as they weren’t problematic for a woman who had been gifted a carefree life by the source of her nation’s anxiety: “we live in a ass-licking economy…. I’m lucky to be licking the right ass.”(pg.93) Along with her acceptance of a dysfunctional Nigeria, Uju turned to conformity, to the General, to get the clinic she had wanted for so long. What she got instead, was a job stripped of its dignity and significance, a job that had been bought not deserved: “my position that does not officially exist.”(pg.92) In addition, Uju’s newfound
In the case of Obinze, the benefits of conforming, made clear to him during his time with “Big Man,” Chief, …show more content…
Before she became the mistress of the General, Uju had been hopeful about the future of Nigeria, and she herself, an intellectual like Obinze, was determined to play a part in it by opening her own clinic: “Nigeria will not be like this forever…. I will start my own clinic, and on the Island!”(pg.56) However, Uju tossed aside her aspirations and optimism on becoming the bedmate of the General, a government official whose power had roots in Nigeria’s corruption and instability. Moreover, it was not love for the General that convinced her to act so out of character and turn a blind eye on her country’s problems, but her infatuation with the General’s power: “I was attracted to him even with his teeth like Dracula. I was attracted to his power.”(pg.93) All of a sudden the way things were in Nigeria no longer bothered Uju, as they weren’t problematic for a woman who had been gifted a carefree life by the source of her nation’s anxiety: “we live in a ass-licking economy…. I’m lucky to be licking the right ass.”(pg.93) Along with her acceptance of a dysfunctional Nigeria, Uju turned to conformity, to the General, to get the clinic she had wanted for so long. What she got instead, was a job stripped of its dignity and significance, a job that had been bought not deserved: “my position that does not officially exist.”(pg.92) In addition, Uju’s newfound