Kelvin Rex D.

Sumayao
III-English
Survey of the Afro-Asian Literature
Prof. April Leano

Half of the Yellow Sun

By: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

The country of Nigeria can be found on the western coast of Africa's continent,
meaning they have diverse geography, with climates ranging from arid to humid
equatorial weather (Udo, R. K.). The cover shows that feeling wherein the country's
status is in the midst of the civil war that is happening in the country. The civil war called
the Biafran War happened five weeks after the Republic of Biafran's independence. The
Nigerian Country gained its independence from Britain. After six years of independence,
the Muslim Hausas in the Northern part of Nigeria began massacring the Christian
Igbos in the region, leading them to flee to eastern Nigeria to survive and created their
own independent republic (History.com. October 22, 2009). Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
was one of the authors who had written "Half of the Yellow Sun" because she is part of
the aftermath of the Biafran war, for she also had lost both of her grandfathers in the
war (halfoftheyellowsun.com). The novel started when a young boy named Ugwu, who
is working in the household of Odenigbo, Odenigbo had fallen in love with a rich girl
named Olanna.

Olanna had left all of their riches to went to Nsukka to stay by the side of
Odenigbo, and she also has a twin sister named Keinana, who is responsible for the
business of their family. Keinene also has an English fiancé named Richard, who is a
writer and expatriate. Sadly, Richard left his first girlfriend, Susan, to pursue Keinene.
Olana had married Odenigbo, and while they are in the reception, an air raid is
happening in the Nsukka. Thus, making Olanna reminisce of the pre-war wherein
Odenigbo's mother had brought Amala to their house, though he had slept with Amala.
So Olanna had left Odenigbo and got drunk with Richard and slept together. She did not
tell Kainene, but she eventually found out what happened, yet she did not leave
Richard.

Amala had given birth to the child of Odenigbo, so they had taken custody and
care for the child. They had taken care of the child and up until she had grown up. The
novel ended up with the republic of Biafra being one with Nigeria's government, but
sadly, Kainene is still missing. The author had used many signs and messages to
introduce us to the main issue, which is the effects of war; it can be seen throughout the
novel that war will never bring a good effect to society. Another is that love within the
family is very lasting because whatever happens, our family will always be the people
who will accept us. Lastly, the experiences of the aftermath of the war, that it is the
reason why many people had lost their family and loved ones. The author intended to
create such scenarios to catch the interest of the readers. The novel's feelings and
emotions can be seen throughout the novel because each event and scenario is
meaningful to the characters and affects many people. Hence, using such techniques
can make the novel realistic and eye-capturing because she had her first-hand
experience of what had happened to Nigeria's country. Creating such a quotation can
affect the novel's outcomes, making the novel very timely for every reader. First, the
family creates a certain connection, just like what happened when Odenigbo's mother.
He was really devastated and wrecked because he was not expecting that to happen,
for they have a particular connection that is tied to the relationship of their family. Also,
when Olanna had slept with Richards and Kainene forgive Olanna for what she had
done because no matter what the outcome will be, your family will always forgive and
help you during the hard times of life. The Biafran war was one of the many forgotten
actions but created such effects on its people. The novel had won many awards, but I
would give it a five-star rating because it is realistic and gave a lot of feelings to every
character and scenario.
References
Civil war breaks out in Nigeria. (October 22,2009). [Electronic version]. HISTORY.
Retrieved from https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/civil-war-in-nigeria
Half of the Yellow Sun. (n.d.). [Electronic version]. Half of the Yellow Sun. Retrieved
from
https://www.halfofayellowsun.com/content.php?page=tsbtb&n=5&f=2
Udo, R. K. (n.d.). Nigeria [Electronic version]. Britannica. Retrieved from
https://www.britannica.com/place/Nigeria