New Historicism and Cultural Materialism in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Novels

Abstract

One of the major schools of thought in anthropology is cultural materialism.  It's a relatively new area in anthropology.  It raises people's standards of conduct in public. British critic Graham Holderness described "Cultural Materialism" as a "politicised form of histography," or the study of historical material within a political framework. There are those who feel the economics and technology play a crucial role in improving society, and this is a fundamental tenet of cultural materialism. First used by Marvin Harris in his book The Rise of Anthropology (1968), the phrase "cultural materialism" has now entered the common lexicon. In her fiction, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie depicts strong, independent women who aggressively oppose the patriarchal systems that hold them back. Education, Adichie argues, is a powerful force for changing one's life and moving forward in the world. The women in Adichie's books work hard to educate themselves so that they may participate fully in their communities and question established standards. Adichie's depiction of historical power conflicts, which are mostly fought by men, reflects a universal desire to be at the top. Throughout history, men have exploited their superior numbers and abilities to define cultural ideals and keep themselves in positions of leadership. Because of this, women are oppressed and repressed; they have less access to resources like education and employment. Adichie's female protagonists, however, do not passively accept these restrictions, and they use knowledge to liberate themselves from them. They want to dismantle stereotypical gender norms and expectations by gaining independence via education. Adichie's depiction of women's liberation via education emphasises the value of education and individual agency in breaking down social obstacles. In addition, Adichie's works illuminate the disastrous nature of power conflicts by probing their complexity