Duce Sarasa, Violeta
Martínez-Falquina, Silvia (dir.)
Universidad de Zaragoza,
2024
Resumen: The main hypothesis of this PhD dissertation is that current globalization, modern-day technologies and the latest geopolitical changes have driven contemporary society to a new paradigm that has been defined by many academics as transmodernity. It is not surprising then that contemporary writers, devoted to their role of representing and foreseeing social changes, have been among the first to acknowledge this turn and delve into its complexity. As discussed in this thesis, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie stands out amongst the contemporary community of authors who are responding to this new cultural logic. Born in Nigeria, Adichie grew up academically in the United States, where she started publishing her first works. At present, she has permanent residency status in both countries and she spends different periods of time in each of them. The crossing of frontiers and cultures is therefore prominent in her works: transnationality becomes a key issue in most of her characters and narratives. On account of this, the present research project analyzes her three novels Purple Hibiscus (2003), Half of a Yellow Sun (2006) and Americanah (2013) and her short-story collection The Thing Around Your Neck (2009) in chronological order, highlighting how they echo and contribute to defining the most recent socio-cultural transformations.
After a brief introduction on the author's international impact, the first chapter of this dissertation is devoted to the above-mentioned working hypothesis. Drawing upon the definitions of transmodernity given by contemporary scholars, this thesis examines seven features which, as argued throughout the chapter, characterize the new cultural paradigm of the twenty-first century: the 'glocal' aspect of society, the current cultural diversity due to transnational movements, the hegemony of virtuality and the impact of new technologies, the new ethics of care resulting from the world's interconnection, the trauma paradigm we are living in, the latest conceptualizations of intersectionality and transnational feminism and the key role of literary representations to understand our new reality. The rest of chapters of this dissertation explore how the author's works give a new perspective on these matters. In the first analytical chapter, Purple Hibiscus and Half of a Yellow Sun are analyzed as examples of transmodern trauma to show how Adichie's fiction forwards a more inclusive and culturally-sensitive trauma theory. The third chapter of this research project is devoted to the conceptualization of transmodern contact zones in The Thing Around Your Neck. Gender, together with class and race, is examined as another intersection that complicates the transcultural experiences and identities of women on the move nowadays. The last chapter of this dissertation studies Americanah as a transmodern hero's quest. The analysis of the protagonists' self-identification journeys, marked by setbacks, discusses how our globalized world can potentially achieve plurality but still displays discriminatory practices.
The main aim of this dissertation is therefore to contribute to the characterization of the new paradigm of transmodernity from the field of literary studies. This analysis also contributes to the revision and conceptualization of modern-day feminist theory. It suggests that contemporary authors like Adichie articulate a feminist and transmodern ideology based on a plural sorority that defends independence and visibility at the same time that it faces the challenges that the complexity of the concept of gender and the new phase of globalization present in today's world. Finally, this thesis intends to demonstrate the crucial role of literature to comprehend our ever-changing world. By giving visibility to third-generation Nigerian authors such as Adichie, who are breaking with the stereotyped story of Africa, this dissertation evinces the need to include different voices and territories in the narrative of the current globalized society. As this thesis argues, this is vital to understand the ambivalence and potential of the present transmodern era.
Works Cited
Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi. 2003. Purple Hibiscus. London: Fourth State Limited.
Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi. 2006. Half of a Yellow Sun. London: Fourth State Limited.
Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi. 2009. The Thing Around Your Neck. London: Fourth State Limited.
Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi. 2013. Americanah. London: Fourth State.
Resumen (otro idioma):
After a brief introduction on the author's international impact, the first chapter of this dissertation is devoted to the above-mentioned working hypothesis. Drawing upon the definitions of transmodernity given by contemporary scholars, this thesis examines seven features which, as argued throughout the chapter, characterize the new cultural paradigm of the twenty-first century: the 'glocal' aspect of society, the current cultural diversity due to transnational movements, the hegemony of virtuality and the impact of new technologies, the new ethics of care resulting from the world's interconnection, the trauma paradigm we are living in, the latest conceptualizations of intersectionality and transnational feminism and the key role of literary representations to understand our new reality. The rest of chapters of this dissertation explore how the author's works give a new perspective on these matters. In the first analytical chapter, Purple Hibiscus and Half of a Yellow Sun are analyzed as examples of transmodern trauma to show how Adichie's fiction forwards a more inclusive and culturally-sensitive trauma theory. The third chapter of this research project is devoted to the conceptualization of transmodern contact zones in The Thing Around Your Neck. Gender, together with class and race, is examined as another intersection that complicates the transcultural experiences and identities of women on the move nowadays. The last chapter of this dissertation studies Americanah as a transmodern hero's quest. The analysis of the protagonists' self-identification journeys, marked by setbacks, discusses how our globalized world can potentially achieve plurality but still displays discriminatory practices.
The main aim of this dissertation is therefore to contribute to the characterization of the new paradigm of transmodernity from the field of literary studies. This analysis also contributes to the revision and conceptualization of modern-day feminist theory. It suggests that contemporary authors like Adichie articulate a feminist and transmodern ideology based on a plural sorority that defends independence and visibility at the same time that it faces the challenges that the complexity of the concept of gender and the new phase of globalization present in today's world. Finally, this thesis intends to demonstrate the crucial role of literature to comprehend our ever-changing world. By giving visibility to third-generation Nigerian authors such as Adichie, who are breaking with the stereotyped story of Africa, this dissertation evinces the need to include different voices and territories in the narrative of the current globalized society. As this thesis argues, this is vital to understand the ambivalence and potential of the present transmodern era.
Works Cited
Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi. 2003. Purple Hibiscus. London: Fourth State Limited.
Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi. 2006. Half of a Yellow Sun. London: Fourth State Limited.
Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi. 2009. The Thing Around Your Neck. London: Fourth State Limited.
Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi. 2013. Americanah. London: Fourth State.
Resumen (otro idioma):
Pal. clave: minorías ; razas ; historia de la literatura
Titulación: Programa de Doctorado en Estudios Ingleses
Plan(es): Plan 478
Área de conocimiento: Artes y Humanidades
Nota: Presentado: 02 02 2024
Nota: Tesis-Univ. Zaragoza, , 2024
Aportación del TFG/M a la Sostenibilidad: Alcanzar la igualdad entre los géneros y empoderar a todas las mujeres y niñas. Reducir las desigualdades entre países y dentro de ellos.
Fecha de embargo : 2026-02-01
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