Chinaza

Outer characterization

Chinaza Udenwa is the main character in the short story “The Arrangers of Marriage” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche. She is a young Nigerian woman who was raised by her uncle and aunt as her parents died, probably when she was quite young. Her middle name is Agatha, and her new husband insists that she use this name from now on, as it sounds more American. Chinaza is a high-school graduate and she even mentions at one point that she wishes to take the “JAMB exam” which is a Nigerian exam for people who want to further their studies and go to university. While she was in school, Chinaza also worked in her aunt’s bakery.

Inner characterization

From the very beginning of the story, Chinaza refers to Ofodile as “my new husband”. T...