Cultural Mimicry and the Erasure of Self: A Postcolonial Reading of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s “Imitation” (2009)

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The main protagonist in Imitation by Chimmanda Ngozi Adichie, Nkem becomes the subject in this analysis, which further explores the post colonialism theme through the use of symbolism presented throughout the short story. This analysis uncovered Nkem experiences regarding identity deletion and the culture  alienation that happened after her move to America. This research is part of the study of intrinsic elements using a qualitative descriptive method, which focuses on symbols and their meanings. Several symbolic findings in the story reinforce this, namely the Benin mask as a symbol of cultural heritage that has lost its sacred meaning, reflecting the disconnection of the diaspora from its cultural roots. Also, the body of the diaspora woman becomes a space of conflict between past memories and the reality of life faced. The symbol of beauty is no longer about one's taste but the demands that must be met in order to be considered sufficient. Furthermore, the new environment that is designed in such a way as to be an ideal place to live actually becomes a symbolism of a place where cultural alienation occurs. The results of this finding emphasize that through the character of Nkem written by Adichie, characters who live far from their place of origin often experience erosion of their identity. The pressure to adapt to dominant culture and forced imitation can be quite complex as it harms personal identity, especially for diasporic women. Through this, adaptation without the freedom to choose is not a path to acceptance, but rather another form of erasing one's identity.

Keywords: diaspora, gender, standart, identity, culture

ABSTRAK

Protagonis utama di cerita Imitation karya Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Nkem menjadi subjek utama dari pembahasan ini, yang mengeksplorasi tema poskolonialisme. Penelitian ini menyelidiki pengalaman Nkem terkait penghapusan identitas serta alienasi budaya yang terjadi pasca kepindahannya ke Amerika. Penelitian ini merupakan bagian dari studi tentang unsur intrinsik dengan menggunakan metode deskriptif kualitatif, yang berfokus pada simbol dan maknanya. Beberapa temuan simbolik dalam cerita memperkuat hal ini, yaitu topeng Benin sebagai simbol warisan budaya yang kehilangan makna sakralnya, mencerminkan keterputusan diaspora dari akar budaya. Serta, tubuh perempuan diaspora menjadi ruang konflik antara ingatan masa lalu dan realitas hidup yang dihadapi. Simbol kecantikan bukan lagi mengenai selera seseorang tapi tuntutan yang harus dipenuhi agar dianggap cukup. Lebih lanjut lagi, lingkungan baru yang dirancang sedemikian rupa untuk menjadi tempat tinggal