Doubleness of Identity in Adichie's "Imitation"

Abstract

The rate of migration from the third world to America has increased considerably
during the last century. Mostly, these people leave their country for a better situation of life in
the other country. However, when they arrive in such countries like America, they should not
only deal with the external problems such as unemployment and homelessness but also should
cope with some inner problems like the doubleness of identity. As a result, they are torn between
two cultures without any stable base for their identity. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a Nigerian
writer, has portrayed the various difficulties situated before the Nigerian emigrants who have
emigrated to America. In her short story "Imitation", she has followed the life of a Nigerian
couple living in American. She has tried to portray the difficult situations they encounter when
they are entangled between two different cultures. Consequently, it is shown how this oscillation
between the two cultures has caused the doubleness of identity in the male character of the story.