A Comparative Study of Identity and Estrangement in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Americanah and Teju Cole’s Open City

Abstract

With the present wave of migration that has ravaged Africa, literature is expanding to meet a variety of domestic and international challenges. Identity and estrangement are twin concepts that have not garnered the level of critical attention it deserves. The study, therefore, compares the representation of identity and estrangement in Adichie’s Americanah and Cole’s Open City. This study employs the postcolonial theory, which explores the experiences of the formerly colonised and how African narratives correct preconceived notions about Africa. The paper explores the different experiences of the two main characters in the texts – Ifemelu and Julius, who both find their way to America in search of better opportunities. While Adichie’s Americanah exposes Ifemelu’s grappling with the challenges of navigating a new culture, which leads to her alienation from her roots, Cole’s Open City portrays the issues of the mind exemplified in Julius’ feelings of extreme loneliness in America even though he is a successful doctor. Ultimately, her return to Nigeria signifies her resolution to her identity crisis, wherein she reclaims her sense of belonging and reaffirms her identity. However, this is not the same as that of Julius whose feelings of estrangement remain unresolved at the end of the narrative.

Keywords: Identity, estrangement, postcolonialism, Chimamanda Adichie, Teju Cole.