"Americanah" Week Five (Ch. 31 - 37)

I am going to break down each chapter by what is happening and some of my thoughts. My overall thoughts will be saved for the last section, where I discuss my opinions, feelings, and thoughts on both what happened, and what I think will happen. **It is also to be noted that "Americanah" is adult fiction, so please be advised.**

Ch. 31: Ifemelu and Curt break up after Ifemelu cheats on him with her neighbor. Ifemelu says that she broke up with him, but he dumped her so fast that she was left crying outside his building. He also wouldn't answer her phone-calls after that. Ginika calls Ifemelu out on the fact that she is self-sabotaging her relationships. I love Ginika so much for stating this, even though Ifemelu ignores her comment because she doesn't like self-reflecting. All her problems are caused by someone else. Then we get a fast-forward to a party (she's dating Blaine at this point) where Ifemelu talks about how love is what is going to bring races (specifically white and black) together. She sounds like she's talking out of her ass because she couldn't make it work with a white guy and she struggles to communicate in relationships. Truthfully, open communication between whites and blacks is probably what is going to help heal the divide. Both sides need to listen to each other and talk about their points of contention. People also need to get off their pedestals and not talk at people or tell them they are wrong. Everyone experiences life differently, and there are many sides to racial issues in America.

Ch. 32: This chapter jumps back to Ifemelu post-break up with Curt. We see Aunty Uju in a new relationship with a guy that treats her and Dike well. Ifemelu's parents come to visit and pressure her about settling down. Their entire visit puts emotional strain on Ifemelu and she falls deeper into depression. However, she tries to make changes by quitting her job and focusing on her blog full-time. I got to be honest with the fact that I am not really empathetic with Ifemelu because she caused her relationship to fail through her infidelity and not communicating. Curt had a part in it due to him doing things that Ifemelu didn't like (some of it coming from him not understanding issues she has because he's a rick, white male and never experienced racism) but Ifemelu never really talked to him about these issues.

Ch. 33: Ifemelu's blog starts to take off and she is asked to speak about race at a company's HR seminar. Her speaking engagement doesn't go well and Ifemelu starts changing what she says at her speaking gigs from what she actually thinks to what people expect her to think. In my mind, Ifemelu has lost her integrity and in a way becomes truly an American because she sells out for capitalism. She keeps her blog the same, but it feels hollow due to her not talking about what she really thinks about race at her speaking engagements. She becomes fake and doesn't hold to her values. She might be doing this because she saw her father lose his job due to him speaking his mind/keep to his beliefs. Either way, she can use her platform to help make changes, but folds so easily after one engagement that shows she has little backbone if money is at stake.

Ch. 34: This chapter is about how Ifemelu meets Blaine again and she begins dating him. It's been about 8-10 years since they last saw each other on the train. Ifemelu is now in her late twenties and her blog is still on the rise as they meet at a convention that focuses on POC. Them both being POC is a focal point between them and the biggest thing they have in common. However, they view racism and how they approach it differently, which causes a contention between them. Their relationship moves quickly, which is never a good sign in my mind. Ifemelu moves in with him really fast and I just don't understand. I feel like they need to be dating longer than they are (it's been less than a year when she moves in) and that rushing the relationship is just going to cause problems in their relationship later. However, I'm also the kind of person that likes their independence in relationships and doesn't make big romantic decisions until I've thought everything through.

Ch. 35: We meet Blaine's narcissistic, older sister, Shan. She is the epitome of trying too hard and melodramatic. However, Shan has a charisma about her that is enticing but tainted. Ifemelu doesn't understand why she wants Shan to like her so much, especially since Shan is so dismissal of her if Ifemelu disagrees with Shan's viewpoints. Blaine is no help and a total doormat for his sister. I actually kinda felt for Ifemelu because I've encounter people like Shan, and it really makes you question yourself because you want them to like you. Interactions with narcissistic people can be really trying and make you feel insecure in yourself and viewpoints because they make you feel horrible if you don't agree.

Ch. 36: This chapter focuses on Ifemelu interacting with Blaine's "intellectual" friends at a birthday dinner. They're a mixed bag that includes Blaine's ex, Paula, and her new partner. Blaine's friends talk about Ifemelu's blog and politics, which cause tension between those who had differing views on Obama and what he means to people. Truthfully, all of these people sound tiring as fuck. The dinner is reminiscent of the one that Obinze had with Emenike's friends. Obinze and Ifemelu are the outsiders looking in. Ifemelu doesn't feel comfortable around Blaine's friends, and they all don't really seem to have anything in common because she thinks of America and it's politics differently then they do. However, like the previous chapter with Shan, this chapter shows off cracks in Ifemelu's relationship with Blaine.

Ch. 37: We see time changing as Dike is now a teenager. We also get to see more of Shan, and man, she is such an egomaniac. Doing a party that Shan is throwing, Shan is rude to Ifemelu in front of everyone (and a little racially charged), and it creates a tense, awkward silence. Ifemelu just brushes Shan's attitude off, but Blaine slightly defends Ifemelu, which pisses off Shan. Ifemelu wonders if Shan is the reason that she and Blaine get into a fight a few months later due to Shan giving Ifemelu a "cruel smile" after what happened at the party. I don't know if Shan had anything to do with the fight, but Ifemelu is selfish, so her action could have easily caused the fight. Vice-versa with Blaine because he can be annoying and headstrong too. I will say that Shan is just as bad as Ifemelu, maybe even worse.

Final Thoughts: These chapters really start to get into race in America and Ifemelu's blog posts, as well as Ifemelu's flaws. The first few chapters were easy to get through, but it was a struggle to finish once Blaine was brought back. I find him annoying and bland as flour. I also just wish that Ifemelu could reflect on her actions and learn from them, but she never does. Her lack of growth is my biggest issue with her as a character. I don't see any redeeming qualities at this point. Flawed characters can be great if they have one or two redeeming qualities.

Week Six will be posted right after this one is up. I worked on both at the same time. "The Shadows Between Us": Week One and Two will be up by next Friday, barring anything going happening in my life. I was behind on posting the rest of "Americanah" due to my dad having a heart attack recently and being diagnosed with congestive heart failure. My mom needed my support and the entire ordeal took a toll on us all (he was hospitalized twice).