Americanah: Flashbacks 1 key example

Chapter 9
Explanation and Analysis—Heat Waves:

Americanah’s first flashback takes place at Mariama African Hair Braiding in Chapter 9, where the hot afternoon at the salon awakens Ifemelu’s memories of years prior:

Each heat wave reminded Ifemelu of her first, the summer she arrived. It was summer in America, she knew this, but all her life she had thought of “overseas” as a cold place of wool coats and snow, and because America was “overseas,” and her illusions so strong they could not be fended off by reason, she bought the thickest sweater she could find in Tejuosho market for her trip.