The Thing Around Your Neck

by

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

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Chinaza Character Analysis

In "The Arrangers of Marriage," Chinaza's aunt and uncle arrange her marriage to Ofodile, a doctor in America. Their marriage is supposed to be a good thing, but Chinaza soon becomes homesick and disillusioned with her husband. She speaks Igbo to herself when Ofodile is at work, since he requires her to speak English when he's home. She misses Nigerian food and is generally unhappy in New York, though she doesn't believe she can return to Nigeria. Chinaza wants to remain connected to her Nigerian past and doesn't understand Ofodile's desire to entirely assimilate into American culture. Ofodile changes her name to Agatha Bell on her social security card.

Chinaza Quotes in The Thing Around Your Neck

The The Thing Around Your Neck quotes below are all either spoken by Chinaza or refer to Chinaza. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Women, Marriage, and Gender Roles Theme Icon
).
The Arrangers of Marriage Quotes

They did not warn you about things like this when they arranged your marriage. No mention of offensive snoring, no mention of houses that turned out to be furniture-challenged flats.

Related Characters: Chinaza (speaker), Ofodile
Page Number: 168
Explanation and Analysis:

You left your husband? Aunty Ada would shriek. Are you mad? Does one throw away a guinea fowl's egg? Do you know how many women would offer both eyes for a doctor in America? For any husband at all?

Related Characters: Chinaza (speaker), Ofodile, Nia
Page Number: 184
Explanation and Analysis:
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Chinaza Quotes in The Thing Around Your Neck

The The Thing Around Your Neck quotes below are all either spoken by Chinaza or refer to Chinaza. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Women, Marriage, and Gender Roles Theme Icon
).
The Arrangers of Marriage Quotes

They did not warn you about things like this when they arranged your marriage. No mention of offensive snoring, no mention of houses that turned out to be furniture-challenged flats.

Related Characters: Chinaza (speaker), Ofodile
Page Number: 168
Explanation and Analysis:

You left your husband? Aunty Ada would shriek. Are you mad? Does one throw away a guinea fowl's egg? Do you know how many women would offer both eyes for a doctor in America? For any husband at all?

Related Characters: Chinaza (speaker), Ofodile, Nia
Page Number: 184
Explanation and Analysis: