In the book we are currently reading called “Americanah” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie we see that hair is a symbol in the novel. It shows an abstract meaning to us the reader. At first I did not see the big picture until we later discussed it class. I can see much clearly now due to fact that so far most of what we read has taken place in a salon as Ifemelu is getting her hair braided. On page 34 in my version of the book it stated that when Ifemelu was ten, her mother came home looking a bit different and cuts off all of her hair. She then asks for a bag and puts all the Catholic objects in their home in it and then burns it. She comes back inside and tells Ifemelu on page 35 “I am saved,” and they will start going to a new church the following Sunday. By doing this her mother is feeling reborn in a sense with that of a new religion. With her aunt Uju she had to have her hair a certain way to get a job.

However for Ifemelu her hair represents her not only as a Nigerian immigrant but now also also as a black American. Back in Nigeria she always braided her hair, but not that she has come to America she learns that she is supposed to straighten her hair or else people will look at her funny. When she does this it feels that she is losing a part of herself that makes her stand out against the rest.