MIGRATION IN CHIMAMANDAADICHIE’S HALF OF A YELLOW SUN

OKPUKPARA, NMESOMA PRAISE (2025) MIGRATION IN CHIMAMANDAADICHIE’S HALF OF A YELLOW SUN. Other thesis, GODFREY OKOYE UNIVERSITY, ENUGU.

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Abstract

This study critically examines the theme of war-induced migration in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Half of a Yellow Sun, with a focus on how the Nigerian-Biafran Civil War reshapes the identities, relationships, and psychological landscapes of the novel’s characters. The research is guided by four specific objectives: to explore how migration is portrayed as a consequence of war; to analyze its emotional, psychological, and economic impacts; to evaluate Adichie’s narrative techniques; and to situate the novel within broader migration literature. Employing trauma theory as its analytical lens, the study draws from Cathy Caruth and Dominick LaCapra to interpret the lingering effects of displacement and violence on individuals such as Ugwu, Olanna, and Richard. Through a qualitative methodology involving textual and thematic analysis, the research demonstrates that migration in Half of a Yellow Sun transcends physical dislocation, encompassing cultural loss, identity reconstruction, and emotional fragmentation. Adichie’s literary strategies—non-linear narration, multiple viewpoints, intertextuality, and symbolic imagery—are shown to deepen the representation of trauma and resistance. The findings reveal that the novel is not only a fictional recollection of historical events but also a counter-narrative that gives voice to the silenced and displaced. It bridges literary inquiry with real-world implications, contributing to African war literature and deepening understanding of conflict-induced migration. Ultimately, the study argues that Adichie’s narrative rehumanizes those erased from official histories, urging a more empathetic engagement with the realities of war and displacement. It concludes by recommending the inclusion of African war literature in educational curricula, the promotion of grassroots storytelling, and further comparative studies on migration across post-colonial times.

Item Type:	Thesis (Other)
Subjects:	P Language and Literature > PE English
Depositing User:	HILARY OBIEKWE
Date Deposited:	26 Aug 2026 11:18
Last Modified:	26 Aug 2026 11:18
URI:	http://eprints.gouni.edu.ng/id/eprint/6308

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