Adichie's "A Private Experience" Passage Analysis by Cody Tucker

"Later, Chika will learn that, as she and the woman are speaking, Hausel Muslims are hacking down Igbo Christians with machetes, clubbing them with stones" (Adichie, 44).

Adichie uses irony and a bit of tension in this passage to emphasis how strange it is for each protagonist to be having fellowship as equals amid this conflict between both of their respective groups. This story acts as a unique promotion of peace, as it focuses a moment of actual peace as opposed to emphasis on the horrors of violence. In a way, this story allows the reader to understand the backstory and depth of such conflicts using the reference to deep racism and dogma on the part of the region’s Christians and Muslims. Chika practices tolerance in this story. Her educational back-ground has allowed her to understand certain nature’s of Islam, such as praying west toward Mecca. Chika also never questions nor contradicts the woman’s beliefs. Further, the element of survival seems to come into play as both women simply wish to not be found and killed. Tolerance may be a means to an end to live through this riot. Another aspect of peace and tolerance that this story promotes is the sake of individualism. It over-rules the generalizing ‘us’ versus ‘them’ mind-set that has started many a conflict throughout the years that parallels the one found in this story. Through this story, we see that not both Christians and Muslims are not, as individuals, inherently hateful and violent (as the opponents of this story’s riot no doubt believe of their rival-faction). This story demonstrates compassion and care for a fellow human-being. Chika lends medical advice to the woman’s damaged nipple. I find this to be an excellent story to give commentary on the times that we are currently living in. This tale argues that Muslims are as empathetic and human as anyone in the western world. Not all Muslims should be so quickly associated with their extremist-minority. Chika is a representative of the western world as she bears witness to this individual Muslim that wishes to only sell onions. Chika’s education in New York has no doubt made her an intellectual citizen of the western world. The Statue of Liberty on her outfit is a perfect symbolic visual of this aspect of her character. With the coming together of this odd-couple, Adichie’s story gives peace a brief chance.