Oscar Wilde once wrote “Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else’s opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation.” Wilde’s unsettling depiction of human life is tragically relevant and true, and elements of his analysis are quite prevalent in Adichie’s Americanah. As human beings, especially in a highly structured, stratified country like America, it is virtually impossible to maintain all aspects of one’s character without facing severe consequences.
When Uju first steps foot into America, she is a healthy, strong, independent women, both passionate and intellectual. However, after facing dreadful economic circumstances, she trades her identity for financial access. Uju forms an unromantic, soulless relationship with the General in order to financially support herself. As an outsider to her situation, it may be easy to judge her actions. Identity and character are the only elements in this life that truly belong to each and every human being. Sacrificing her sacred identity seems appalling and unreasonable, but given her dire circumstances, her actions should not be scoffed at. From her perspective, it was the right decision in the short term. In the long term, when she is eventually described “her skin dry, her eyes shadowed, her spirit bleached of color” (132), it is apparent that it was wrong for her to compromise her own identity. When I first read her story, I thought to myself that I would never let something like that happen to me, but looking through her perspective I understand her reasoning and now empathize with the sadness consuming her misshapen character.
It is important to note that Uju is not acting alone in compromising her character to gain respect from others. For instance, the foreign taxi drivers change their names to accommodate the unreasonable Americans who do not take the time to understand several “different” syllables. Additionally, Ifemelu relaxes her hair in order to appear more professional and have a greater chance at a successful interview. Ifemelu, the girl so quick to pass judgment on Uju, is also trapped by and gives into the societal leach seeking to strip away what makes humans unique. In several quick examples, it is easy to see that the compromising of identities is a regular occurrence, and while I do not think it is acceptable, I regretfully believe it to be necessary to both “fit in” and “succeed” in this life. The compromising of one’s identity does not occur rapidly. Over time, bits and pieces are chipped away, until what was once so pristine and firm, is disfigured, disillusioned and unrecognizable.
Wilde’s statement that “most people are other people” becomes increasingly more believable upon observing the high school scene. As a young adult in high school, one’s identity is still forming. As a teenager, it is hard to know what to believe and value. Some students decide to follow along in the footsteps of their parents, while others decide to enter into the “rebel” phase and do everything opposite of their parents. Either way, no one is acting true to their own character. They are following cues, and their identity is being traced from an outline previously sketched before them. In high school, it is nearly impossible to be firm in your character. Sometimes it is cool to be hipster, or gothic or preppy. You wear the clothes to be popular. You wear the clothes to be anti-popular. Sometimes it is cool to be the nerd, while sometimes it is more commendable to slack off on homework and throw the best parties. Regardless of what trend is being followed in the high school world, one theme remains the same. Every move made is an attempt to please someone else. It is not about defining character, but defining social status and moving up the ladder because superiority is the goal, whether or not you are willing to admit it or not. I am not saying it is impossible to stay true to yourself, your values and your beliefs, but it makes life a lot more difficult, especially in the cruel world of high school.
Unfortunately, the identity stripping does not end in high school. For example, several years ago, parents complained that Valedictorian status is unfair because no one person should be given such a prestigious title. In essence, an intellect should not be allowed to flaunt their commendable identity alone. My school, Hampton High School, a school that was built with the motto “Tradition of Excellence,” chipped away at its identity to appease the crowd. In the end, high school is a perfect microcosm depicting the identity stripping horrors in the real world.
In the professional world, people talk differently, dress differently and act differently to appease their bosses and work on gaining better economic status. Those who do not play the game are often left behind, wishing they had decided to trade in themselves for the money or the fame. As of right now, I am at Penn State, hoping to earn a degree in Secondary Education for Mathematics. I know my identity will be put to the test in many ways in my future career, whether it be dealing with a teacher’s union, or being told to appease a complaining parent who is certainly in the wrong, or simply teaching what I believe or what the school tells me to believe. Each and every day, I will face the decision to trade a piece of me for momentary gratification, or remain true for long term acceptance of who I really am. This world is not an easy place to live. There are hardships and struggles at every turn, but it must be known that our identity is the only thing we have, and we have one life to help it prosper. We must learn from the mistakes of those who have faltered before us, and attempt to preserve the beauty we all hold inside. Let us stray from mimicking and let us work toward defining a life of truth and deeper meaning.