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Focalisation and Polyvocality in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Half of a Yellow Sun

2013; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 56; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/00138398.2013.856556

1943-8117

Aghogho Akpome,

African history and culture studies

While interest in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's growing oeuvre continues to increase, commentary on issues of structure and narrative technique remains limited. For several reasons, the bulk of criticism of Adichie's works remains slanted towards ideological and thematic concerns. This article explores her deft use of the decentred narrative technique in her award-winning second novel, Half of a Yellow Sun (2006). Using one of the novel's central characters, Ugwu, as an example, the article focuses on the novel's particular method – or methods – of focalisation, and how its multiple voices are combined to achieve a unified and coherent narrative. In addition, a brief contemplation of the possible consequences of Adichie's particular narrative strategies for interpreting the narrative material is offered.