First: Identify a rhetorical device in Americanah (that is: ethos, pathos, and/or logos). Cite textual evidence.
Then: Respond to the following -
What do you think about Ifemelu's interactions with Black Americans vs. her interactions with other Africans? What does this say about Pan-Africanism and Black Nationalism?
Finally: How does this enhance, change, or complicate your view of Blackness?
One rhetorical device that can be identified in Americanah is pathos. One instance of pathos occurs in Chapter 9 when Ifemelu is sharing her experiences of racism with her friend Ranyinudo. In this excerpt, Ifemelu uses powerful and emotional language to invoke a sense of sympathy and empathy:
"It was like walking into a roomful of farting people and wondering who had let the gas… It was not comfortable. Still, she could not stop, because each time she came back from Nigeria, the waiting privet took hold of her spirit, the arrogant privet, full of itself."
This use of pathos in the vivid description of the discomfort and oppression Ifemelu felt highlights the emotional impact of her experiences and aims to elicit an emotional response from the readers.
In terms of Ifemelu's interactions with Black Americans versus other Africans, she experiences a sense of alienation and difference among both groups. With Black Americans, Ifemelu often feels like an outsider due to her Nigerian identity and culture, while also facing racial discrimination as a fellow black person. This leads to a sense of disconnection and a cultural divide, as Ifemelu grapples with the complexities of assimilation and racial identification.
On the other hand, Ifemelu's interactions with other Africans (specifically Nigerians) are often portrayed as more familiar and comfortable. These interactions represent a shared cultural background and a sense of belonging. However, Ifemelu also faces the challenge of navigating her relationship with Nigeria, questioning its societal norms, and feeling a certain level of detachment due to her experiences abroad.
This depiction showcases the complexities of Pan-Africanism and Black Nationalism. Ifemelu's experiences suggest that while there is a desire for solidarity among black people worldwide, the cultural, racial, and historical differences create divisions and challenges in achieving a unified black identity. It also highlights the importance of recognizing and embracing individual cultural identities within the broader notion of blackness.
Overall, this portrayal of Ifemelu's interactions with different groups enhances and complicates the view of blackness. It challenges the notion of a singular black identity by showcasing the diversity and complexities within the black community. It reinforces the idea that blackness cannot be reduced to a monolithic experience, and that individuals should be allowed to embrace their unique cultural backgrounds while still working towards a collective progress.