In Chapter 14, Ifemelu gives her perspective on American college, where she says it is easy. She observed how Americans were taught to “always say something in class, no matter what.” (Adiche, 164). She saw the students sat comfortablely in class, acting like they know, nothing of “the subject. . . but of how to be in the classes.” (Adiche, 164). Ifemelu observes how in American college, students answer in a way that implies that they had the possibility of knowledge. No one gave direct instructions, rather with the possibility that there was another option, even if there wasn’t one. When something bad would happen to someone, another person would always say ‘Oh, it’s not your fault.” She also observed how excited everyone was about everything.
I think this paragraph is intriguing, especially for me personally after going to college for almost four years. I felt this observation of Ifemelu lines up with how I personally have seen people acting in college. However, Ifemelu brings a different perspective for us to consider because she grew up in Nigeria.
What does this observation imply that Americans value in education, success, and life?
“Chapter 14.” Americanah, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Anchor Books, A Division of Random House LLC, New York, 2013, pp. 164-165.
Within our classroom setting participation has often contributed to our final grade. If we do not speak, sometimes our teachers will purposefully call on us to get us to participate. Or sometimes we just lose those points. When Ifemelu was talking about this, I was in total agreement with her. I hate that participation is a requirement in class. It is not because I don’t feel like talking, it is because I do not always feel passionate enough to speak or debate on the given topic.
To Ifemelu, this observation can imply that she thinks Americans aren’t doing enough in their educational system. For example, in chapter 14 on page 164 she says “it merely made students talk, class time wasted on obvious words, hollow words, sometimes meaningless words”. She is saying that they could be doing more than focusing their time on participation points.
I appreciate you bringing attention to this detail within this chapter, but I would need some clarification on your question at the end. Are you asking us what we believe this observation implies about Americans, or what this observation implies about what Ifemelu believes about Americans?
“Chapter 14.” Americanah, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Anchor Books, A Division of Random House LLC, New York, 2013, pp. 164-165.
Answering this question from the latter of the two, I think it falls back on appearance and credibility. I could see how Ifemelu’s observation can be noticed in college classes today. As students we all try our best to get work done, understand information, and get good grades. I have been in classes that Ifemelu deems as easy. In the book American classes are deemed easy because you turn in your work through email, classrooms are air-conditioned, and make up tests are given freely (Adichie 163). I would imagine education in Nigeria to be more rigorous as they may not have the available resources listed there that we have and take for granted at times. As far as appearance and credibility, I think students don’t “Participate” because they are not sure; which is the middle ground between knowing and not knowing. People would rather say not sure over not knowing out of politeness or to save face. Sometimes students keep their thoughts inside in fear of causing confusion, being wrong, or sadly, to avoid conflict. I admire how straight-forward Ifemelu is when it comes to communication in class. However, for Americans I feel participation is a must. Without participation more students would take advantage of teachers. Ifemelu actually wants to learn and most likely had a different teaching style in Nigeria which is why classes seem easy.