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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal – Vol. 10, No. 4

Publication Date: April 25, 2023

DOI:10.14738/assrj.104.14366.

Tia, D. (2023). Migration, Identity and Proleptic Dynamism. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 10(4). 123-138.

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom

Migration, Identity and Proleptic Dynamism

Daniel Tia

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2928-3257

American Studies, Department of English,

University of Felix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire

ABSTRACT

Migration is far from being a recent phenomenon. Nor is it the prerogative of the

twenty-first century. Wherever there are human beings, mobility emerges and

human history provides various reasons, which justify the presence of a given

community from one particular geographic region in another. Names, such as

melting pot, salad bowl, and tossed salad are attributed to the United States, for its

sociocultural construction was made of heterogeneous migratory flows. Those

respective waves represent an undeniable driving force in American cultural and

economic development. Like America, all other human societies have an experience

of migration, but to varying degrees. Political instability, colonial influences,

poverty, and armed conflict are the main factors of such an exodus. Individuals

migrate to other spaces either to acquire social security or to improve their

socioeconomic situation. In essence, migration creates the conditions for the

construction of a futuristic identity whose effective achievement requires the

acquisition of a stable and well-paid job. The more the world population increases,

the more the migration scourge grows. The second half of the twentieth century and

the first half of the current one are two periods in which the rate of migrants in

Western societies seems to have reached a peak. Chronologically, the novels under

consideration substantiate how the aforementioned periods remain paramount in

terms of displacement. This work will therefore examine the issue of that futuristic

identity, its related features and the conditions, which make it possible in Brown

Girl, Brownstones and Americanah. Through the lens of the comparatistic

perspective two points will be deciphered, inter alia "modalities of the migrants’

idyllic universe" and "impacts of hybrid identity."

Keywords: Migration, futuristic identity, mobility, sociocultural identity, Western society.

INTRODUCTION

A close look at human conditions helps to realize how nomadic the world’s population has

turned today.

This nomadism is explained by the recurrence of ethnic and armed conflict or other

sociopolitical crises in various regions of the world. In addition to that, other problems, such as

the aridity of lands in some areas, drawbacks of civilization, growth of poverty, and emergence

of corrupt systems in some countries, make impossible or complexify any eventual creation of

reliable and dignified jobs for the young generations. In the intellectual milieu, where scholars

try to suggest solutions, various disciplines or areas of knowledge are involved. Literary genres,

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such as novel, poeticize those social phenomena, using a dose of constructive criticism, whose

purposes are to decry deviationist practices, sensitize, and educate individuals. The novels

(Brown Girl, Brownstones1 (1959) and Americanah (2013) under study respectively emanate

from Paule Marshall and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Both writers have African ancestral roots.

The former is an African-American and the latter is a Nigerian migrant evolving in the American

society.

Their texts were published at different periods of time; however, they share a number of

commonalities, namely the themes of migration, identity, and materials. Marshall’s fictional

work describes the difficulties faced by a Barbadian family (the Deightons) in the American

society. Its members have opposing views –the wife (Silla Boyce) struggles to acquire a large

fortune in order to buy a brown house. As far as the husband (Deighton) is concerned, he is lazy,

lackadaisical, nostalgic and is more interested in his Barbadian roots. As to Adichie’s novel, it

depicts two young Nigerians (Ifemelu and Obinze) who leave their country, one for the United

States and the other for England. Once in those respective host societies, they are confronted

with the problems of integration. Obinze is arrested and repatriated to his home country

(Nigeria) while Ifemelu continues her adventure.

In those novels, identity semantically acquires both converging and diverging orientations. To

further comprehend its textual occurrences, the current study proposes to consider some of the

critical studies already achieved on Marshall’s and Adichie’s works. From a feminist

perspective, Joyce Pettis’s article sheds light on Marshall’s novel. According to her analysis, in

Brown Girl, the female characters embody exceptional charisma. This means they are devoid of

selfishness and undertake some concrete actions aiming to free themselves from social

bondage. Despite Deighton’s laziness, Silla Boyce demonstrates an unconditional leadership,

which helps her feed the Deightons (family) and fulfills her dreams. Analyzing the unerring

power of that Barbadian woman in the American society, Pettis writes: "The earliest reviewers

of Brown Girl acknowledged its textual qualities its emotion, its genuine power, its sharp insight

into women, its decisive characterization, the dramatic element of marital discord, and the vivid

locale of the brownstones" (Pettis, 2000).

To this critic, Silla Boyce overcomes any forms of discord between her and Deighton; further,

she toils both at home and at factory to maintain a positive atmosphere and social balance in

her family. Silla Boyce’s critical, timeless courage and persistent dynamism enable her to

acquire her gender status. Indeed, Silla can survive thanks to her hard work and firm

commitment. Even though she experiences difficulties, it should be noted that her disposable

income contributes to sustaining her charges and those of her family. In that sense, Pettis’s

approach shows that anyone can succeed in the American society provided they are given

chances or opportunities. Besides, Evelyn Hawthorne’s article brings out the innovative

characteristics of Marshall’s fiction. Through her critical analysis, one discovers that Brown Girl

devotes special credit to language, history, and tradition. In essence, those three cultural

markers are integral part of African descents’ process of identity construction. Their

poetization makes Marshall’s novel a "authoritative weapon." This is why Hawthorne asserts

that "Brown Girl served to re-define the literary subject, to give validation to culture-specific

1 For any other references to this novel, we will use Brown Girl.

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Tia, D. (2023). Migration, Identity and Proleptic Dynamism. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 10(4). 123-138.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.104.14366

values, language, histories and traditions, and to revise literary work as a weapon of struggle"

(Evelyn, 2000).

In "Caribbean Migration and the Construction of a Black Diaspora Identity in Paule Marshall’s

Brown Girl, Brownstones," a critical reflection by Timothy S. Chin, interrogates the theme of

identity in a migratory context. Building upon the Deightons’ case, Chin reveals that the

twentieth century is a period of intense migration in the American society. Further, he

maintains that the migrants’ displacement from one place to another always affects their

standard of living. In Brown Girl, Silla is fully americanized while her husband (Deighton)

struggles to fit into the American social fabric. Scrutinizing black Diaspora, Chin indicates that

"Marshall’s narratives present an especially ripe opportunity for thinking about how migration

and displacement, key terms of the diaspora experience, affect the formation of cultural

identities in the twentieth century" (Chin, 2006).

According to Chin’s approach, in the twentieth century, migration significantly contributes to

the transfer of cultures in the American society. In such contexts, some cultural values are

profoundly and considerably influenced by others. In keeping with the Deightons’ conditions,

one discovers that each member of that family differently face the realities of migration and its

related pangs. Through the theory of intersectionality, Candice A. Pitts, another critic of

Marshall, scrutinizes Brown Girl. In her analysis, she shows that migration impacts on human

relationships and gender. According to her analysis, the migrant beings are always away from

their ancestral roots and sometimes experience pathetic socioeconomic and sociocultural

situations. Selina Boyce, Silla Boyce, and Deighton are some of Marshall’s characters who

experience tremendous social pressures in the American society because of their cultural roots.

The following utterances substantiate some of the obstacles affecting them: "Migration to the

United States of America, however, as the novel indicates, shifts gender relations and

expectations, and, to an extent, even inverts some gender roles" (Pitts, 2015).

Distinctly, migration embodies sociological and psychological implications. It can promote the

migrants’ empowerment or can further bring about their social exploitation. As a result, the

latter suffer from a cultural lack, which cannot be made up in the host society. In spite of the

harsh trials, it should be noted that the migrant subjects are always anxious. Obviously, being

far away from their ancestral homeland is always problematic for them. They have to toil to

acquire a prosperous social status. In "A Black Diasporic Identity in Paule Marshall’s Brown girl,

Brownstones and The Fisher King" (2016), K. Ramajeyalakshmi declares that Marshall’s Brown

Girl praises black women: "Marshall’s representation of the Barbadian immigrant community

reflects the central role that women played in the production of Caribbean identity in the United

States" (Ramajeyalakshmi, 2016). Ramajeyalakshmi’s analysis validates that the Barbadian

women evolving in the American society swim by their own efforts. Economically, their self- sacrifice helps them construct their social identity and subsequently be well-perceived or

appreciated.

Similarly, Adichie’s novel describes the trajectory of a Nigerian woman named Ifemelu who,

after completing her studies in the United States, finds herself confronted with the problem of

social integration. Despite the discriminatory deeds against her, she does not despair. Her

activism through her blog helps her be an outstanding figure. In "Theorizing Race,

Marginalization, and Language in the Digital Media" (2021), Deepali Mallya M. & Rini Susanti

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reveal the following: "In her blog, Ifemelu observes and critiques the lifestyle of a racially

victimized African-American in a White-dominant America using a forthright and satirical

language" (Mallya & Susanti, 2021). Both critics points out the relevance of Internet in the fight

against inequality and racism between Blacks and Whites in today’s America.

In a related study, scholars, such as Mary Linda Vivian Onuoha Ihm and Chimmuanya Pearl

Ngele address the theme of migration. To them, that phenomenon is a pernicious evil for black

individuals. In accordance with their analysis, the relationship between Whites and Blacks is

never fraternal; it is rather sore. Indeed, due to colonization and slavery, Blacks continue to be

despised. They are pejoratively judged as subhumans. Indeed, construing Blacks’ social

conditions, Ihm and Ngele asseverates: "Black immigrants suffer a lot. Coming into contact with

these whites is always marked by some kind of humiliating experiences. Aunty Uju who used to

dress so well in Nigeria could afford to wear anything in America"2 (Translation mine). This

quotation unfolds the disgraceful or contemptible aspect of migration. Indeed, the migrant

individuals are preoccupied by the quest for materials. This pressing and dire concern holds

sway on them, thus tipping them into precariousness and making them more unshielded. Aunty

Uju’s physical appearance corroborates that social vulnebability.

Beyond the preceding critical studies, various other critics have interrogated the themes of

identity and race in Adichie’s Americanah. Although race is frozen out from the process of

identity construction, Shuchi and Josephine Ramdinmawii Zote’s analysis shows that America

is torn apart by racial crisis. Inherited from colonization, racial ideology still brings about

tensions between Whites and Blacks in the American society. Adichie’s novel exemplifies that

reality by depicting a Nigerian girl named Ifemelu who suffers from racism. Both scholars

Shuchi and Ramdinmawii declare that "as someone who has come from a place where

difference was measured through ethnic identity to a place like America where differences are

determined by racial identity, Ifemelu was confronted with the need to go through a process of

identity formation that forefronts her race" (Shuchi1 & Zote, 2020).

Through this quotation, the identity paradigm highlighted by Adichie’s fiction is more

discernible or noticeable. Thus, it can be argued that in the African societies, cultural markers,

such as ethnic affiliations or ethnic backgrounds are relevant in the process of identity

construction. However, in the racialized America, priority is given to race. Consequently, the

migrants who evolve there, feel constrained to confirm with that new paradigm. As we can see,

this critical review of literature is far from being exhaustive, nor does it include all the critical

studies based on Marshall’s and Adichie’s fictional works. This choice is rather explained by the

interest given to the themes of migration and identity. Through this review, those critics agree

on the thesis according to which migration arouses a cultural shock and change.

Given that the sociocultural realities differ from one place to another, the individuals who settle

elsewhere, are always nostalgic about their ancestral roots. In various other circumstances, the

subjects belonging to migrant families do not have a perfect knowledge of their ancestral

culture. Socially, they are part of the host society; however, in terms of culture, they sometimes

2 "Les immigrés noirs souffrent beaucoup. Entrer en contact avec ces Blancs est toujours marqué par une sorte

d’expérience humiliante. Tante Uju qui s’habillait si bien au Nigeria pouvait se permettre de porter n’importe quoi

en Amérique." (Onuoha Ihm, 2021)

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Tia, D. (2023). Migration, Identity and Proleptic Dynamism. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 10(4). 123-138.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.104.14366

feel lost and marginalized. Through this critical review, the Deightons’ and Ifemelu’s difficulties

are openly displayed. In fact, those characters have varied ways of experiencing identity –some

struggle to acquire financial independence and others embark on the construction of their

cultural heritage. In terms of value, those critical studies help to have a profound insight into

Marshall’s and Adichie’s fictional works. However, the futuristic and dynamic features of

identity remain of paramount interest.

To pinpoint the theme of identity, the use of the comparatistic approach as a methodological

tool will be helpful. To Henry Remak, that literary perspective requires "the study of literature

beyond the confines of one particular country and the study of relationship between literature

on the one hand, other areas of knowledge and belief, such as the arts (e.g., painting, sculpture,

architecture, music), philosophy, history, the social sciences, politics, economics, sociology), the

sciences, religion, etc. on the other. In brief, it the comparison of literature with another or

others and the comparison of literature with other sphere of human expression" (in Bassnett,

1993). In accordance with that methodological tool, two axes will be analyzed, namely

"modalities of the migrants’ idyllic space" and "impacts of hybrid identity".

MODALITIES OF THE MIGRANTS’ IDYLLIC SPACE

This stage aims at deciphering the universe for which Marshall’s and Adichie’s characters yearn.

To learn more about that universe, let us indicate that it is an ideal. From a toponymic point of

view, it is unnamed. However, its advent is made possible thanks to the host societies. In terms

of modality, that location is wonderful, sublime and can provide the migrants with

psychological stability. Ideally constructed, the idyllic universe is economically substantial and

motivates the migrants to leave their homelands. Obviously, migration towards the Western

world covers varied reasons, but the one depicted by Marshall and Adichie is socioeconomic.

Most of their characters are migrant characters settle in the Western societies to recreate

themselves in the sense of improving their living conditions. For instance, in Brown Girl, the

Deightons settle in Brooklyn, New York to acquire an upward economic mobility. In

Americanah, Ifemelu settles in Princeton, New Jersey to complete her studies, Aunty Uju settles

in Brooklyn, New York to work and improve her social conditions. As far as Obinze is concerned,

he moves to London for economic purposes. As we can notice, all the characters whose names

are mentioned above turn nomadic to accede to economic independence and be embalmed with

the wonders of the idyllic world.

To fully grasp the modalities of the migrants’ idyllic universe, it is relevant to dig into the

conceptual metaphor associated with to the host spaces. For that purpose, the use of the

diagram below will be helpful:

This diagram is composed of a double level of significance. The first level is called "source

domain" and the second one is named "target domain." In Brown Girl and Americanah, the

former is apparent while the latter is abstract and needs to be sought in the characters’ vision.