Resistance to Patriarchal Ideology and Colonial Legacy in Adichie's Half of a Yellow Sun

Abstract

Chimamanda (Ngogi) Adichie’s Half of a Yellow Sun, a novel set in the background of the Nigerian Civil War, exuberantly constitutes the postcolonial feminist elements. Adichie explicitly portrays the pains and pathos along with the resistance the female characters undergo amidst deep-rooted patriarchy as well as the colonial legacy. The sufferings these female characters bear throughout the novel itself provides strength to them to revolt against the oppression imposed upon them. There are several female characters who become the victims of the patriarchal system and male chauvinism. However, Adichie gives a new dimension to the novel imparting the colossal strength to her female characters who employ several tools to resist patriarchy and colonial legacy. Furthermore, these characters are themselves ready to take agency of their own bodies and assert their sexual rights. One step ahead, the protagonist even uses her sexuality as a means to resist against male chauvinism. By characterizing both types of traumatized and empowered characters, Adichie’s novel mirrors double marginalization of females as well as the increasing awareness among the Nigerian females in postcolonial era.