NIGERIAN IMMIGRANTS EXPERIENCE IN CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE’ AMERICANAH

Abstract

Human migration is not something new in human history; it is as old as human history itself. Right from ancient times, mankind has moved from one country to another in search of food and shelter. In modern era, the wave of human migration has increased due to some factors such as political instability, war, and starvation caused by natural disaster. This experience of dislocation has given rise to a new body of knowledge known as migration study. In literary discourse, migration study which studies immigrant experience has received wide attention in literary discourse of Caribbean, Indian and Latino literature. In Nigerian literature, immigrant experience has not received sufficient critical discussion. Consequently, this paper examines Nigerian immigrant experience, the sense of crisis, upheaval and up rootedness that Nigerian characters experience in America and Europe. This study will focus on two aspects of Nigerian immigrant experience namely: racial discrimination and economic exploitation. These two points will form the focus of our discussion on Nigerian immigrant experience in America and United Kingdom.