Pragmatic Exploration of Cross-Cultural Encounters in Chimamanda Adichie’s Americanah

Abstract

This study examines the realities of the immigrant experience, specifically focusing on Chimamanda Adichie’s novel Americanah as a lens through which to explore the contextual dimensions of race, identity, and immigration in contemporary America. The purpose of this research is to unravel how the cultural context shapes the portrayal of cross-cultural encounters and informs the characters’ experiences in the novel. Employing a qualitative approach, the study examines key excerpts from Americanah to unveil how cultural context helps in conveying the different challenges and triumphs faced by African immigrants in the United States. The findings of this research illuminate the complex dynamics of race relations, identity formation, and the emotional challenges of migration as portrayed in the novel. The framework of contextualism provides a good understanding of how these themes are deeply intertwined with the broader societal and historical context of America. The study concludes that the novel serves as a poignant narrative that emphasizes the importance of contextual understanding in comprehending the immigrant experience, presenting a powerful message about the realities of cross-cultural encounters in the United States.