EXPLORING THE MYTH OF THE AMERICAN DREAM IN AMERICANAH: A CLASSICAL MARXIST PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

This research work critically examines the portrayal of the American Dream in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Americanah (2013) through the lens of classical Marxist theory by performing textual analysis. The classical Marxism theorized by Karl Marks, including its concepts of materialism, class struggle, alienation, and exploitation of the working class has been used as a theoretical framework for the textual analysis in this research. The main objectives are to investigate the reality of the American dream in Americanah; to analyze it from the lens of classical Marxism; and to identify its effects on the behaviors of the people. The study investigates how the themes of materialism, Americanization, prosperity, and upward mobility are central to the ideology of the American Dream which perpetuates a class-based social system. The study finds that Americanah depicts characters struggling with the illusion of upward mobility and success promised by the American Dream. The novel presents the characters' growing aspirations and disillusionment due to economic determinism and highlights their continuous class struggle, false consciousness, and alienation. Based on the detailed analysis performed under the established framework, the study reveals the continuous economic and societal exploitation experienced by the protagonist due to the capitalist nature of the American Dream in a society divided by social classes. It challenges the ideological accuracy of the American Dream and exposes it as a myth by highlighting the material realities of capitalism.