#218 The Arrangers of Marriage- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
A young Nigerian woman has just married. It was an arranged
marriage to a Nigerian man who has lived in America for many years. When they
arrive in her new Brooklyn home, she is surprised at the reality of her new
life. And she is surprised at her husbands need to Americanize her.
“You don’t understand how it works in this country. If you
want to get anywhere you have to be as mainstream as possible. If not, you will
be left by the roadside.”
“Look at the people who shop here; they are the ones who
immigrate and continue to act as if they are back in their countries…They will
never move forward unless they adapt to America. They will always be doomed to
supermarkets like this.”
Even their names are changed. Chinanza Okafor becomes Agatha
Bell, and Ofodile Emeka Udenwa becomes Dave Bell. Although she finds it strange
that in her building is a young woman that after visiting Tanzania decided to
rename herself from her African roots: “A black American had chosen as African,
name while my husband made me change mine to an English one.”
Culture shock, entitlement, independence, cultural value…all
themes found in this entire collection.
Notable Passage: lacking in dignity, about this place, this
open space of too many tables and too much food.”
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