Characterization of Nkem

Outer characterization

Nkem is the main character of the short story “Imitation” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Her outer characterization reveals that she is married to a rich Nigerian man called Obiora, with whom she has two children, Adanna and Okey. Nkem lives in Philadelphia with her children and a housegirl named Amaechi, while her husband works in Lagos for ten months a year. 

The story reveals that, before marrying Obiora, Nkem used to date several married men, hoping that she could marry well and provide for her modest family. 

Physically, Nkem is attractive. She has long hair, “Mermaid eyes” (p. 21, l. 14) of slightly different sizes, a “perfectly oval” (p. 21, l. 16) face, and “flawless (…) dark skin” (p. 21, l. 16). After she finds out about her husband’s mistress, Nkem cuts her hair.

Inner characterization

Nkem is a woman who struggles to find her identity. The news that her husband has a...