dc.description.abstract | Adichie’s Half of a Yellow Sun, Americanah and “Jumping Monkey Hill” feature diverse
forms of narrative embedding. Although embedded narratives have attracted considerable
attention, narrative analysts have not accounted for new forms of embedding such as
blogs. This research examines the nature and function of embedded narratives in
Adichie’s selected works while evaluating the effectiveness of the embedded narratives
in communicating themes. The research draws upon Russian formalism to examine how
the form of the work contributes to the overall meaning of the work. It also adopts the
theory of narratology which outlines the basic approach to narrative levels. A close and
comparative reading of the texts reveals the nature and function of the embedded
narratives and the relationship between the primary and secondary narratives. The
relationship between narrative levels in Half of a Yellow Sun and Americanah is
complicated both by competing structural models and clashes between narrative levels.
Adichie transgresses the norms of narrative embedding thus bringing into focus the
assumptions that exist around it. Adichie’s deft use of embedded narratives is seen
through the many functions it serves and its efficacy in developing central themes. This
research adds to studies done on Adichie’s fiction by attempting a narratological inquiry.
It also, hopefully, contributes to future research of structure and other narrative
techniques applied in Adichie’s works. | en_US |