Quotes about Hair in Americanah (Fall 2023) by Nicole Siminski

Hair

kenyj1517 — 2023-10-10 18:53:49 UTC

"When she told Ruth about the interview in Baltimore, ruth said, "my only advice? Lose the braids and straighten your hair. Nobody says that kind of stuff but it matters. We want you to get that job". pg 250

kenyj1517 — 2023-10-10 18:57:43 UTC

"Relaxing your hair is like being in prison. You are cage in. Your hair rules you". pg 257

kenyj1517 — 2023-10-10 19:03:35 UTC

"Why did you cut your hair, hon? Are you a lesbian?" "No Miss Margaret, at least no yet".

She wondered if the woman have felt the same way had she walked into that office wearing her thick, kinky, God-given halo of hair, the Afro. Pg 252 I felt that Ifemelu Identifies herself with the lady because they had the same hair. She wonders how the lady did it to a job with her Afro hair.

brean279 — 2023-10-12 02:00:29 UTC

"I don't want my hair brave" pg 258 I identify myself when i went to cut my hair and the barber in accident cut part of my hair, so i decided to cut my hair similar to Ifemelu and i had to use a hat.

brean279 — 2023-10-12 02:08:29 UTC

Hair

2023-10-12 03:18:32 UTC

well what i think that everyone god something from one of each of some of the paragraphs form the novel it was intresting to see what we have researched or learned about each othe characters hair

After Wambui convinced and cut Ifemelu’s hair short, Ifemulu’s initial reaction was that she looked like a boy; at worst, like an insect. Oftentimes we need to take that bold move, out of our comfort zone to discover something new. Initially, it may seem awkward like Ifemelu, but this action helped her find a wonderful online support group. Soon she learned to love her hair all naturally, no more chemicals, and no more pain because of chemicals. She gained not only peace but freedom. (P.258)

2023-10-14 18:49:53 UTC

Hair

2023-10-16 06:42:44 UTC

"Her hair was hanging down rather than standing up, straight and sleek, parted at the side and curving to a slight bob at her chin." (P.251)

"She looked like a boy, at worst, like an insect. "Page 258 Ifemelu shares an experience where she cut her hair but was not pleased with the outcome. She admits that she looked unattractive and even scared herself, adding that she resembled a boy. However, it is crucial to note that Ifemelu was not unhappy with her decision to cut her hair; rather, she felt different and did not conform to the conventional feminine beauty standards.

2023-10-18 05:32:11 UTC

Hair

crisgrijalva22 — 2023-10-22 20:49:51 UTC

"She looked in the mirror, sank her finger into her hair, dense and spongy and glorious, and could not imagine it any other way. That simply, she fell in love with her hair." (p.264)
Ifemelu's love for her hair represents her appreciation for her heritage. Ifemelu has learned to embrace and love her natural hair, but she didn't get to this point suddenly; just like getting rid of her American accent, she had to learn to appreciate herself.
Cristina G.

"all your girlfriends had long flowing hair" she said, her tone thick with accusation."

2023-11-02 18:22:05 UTC

how the fact of all the ex curt girlfriends had long hair could affect Ifemelu like this? and for sure it was not a significant argument for curt to fell in love just because girls have long hair, it was for something less superficial i think.

White-girl swing

karolsantiagoba — 2023-11-10 03:25:51 UTC

"Just a little burn," the hairdresser said. "but look how pretty it is. Wow, girl, you've got the white-girl swing!" (page 251)(student Karol Santiago)

Concepcion Gallegos

2023-11-12 16:59:14 UTC

In part of chapter 19 of the novel Americanah, Ifemelu is preparing herself for a job interview. Obviously, she wants to look “professional” for the interview. She went to a salon to straighten her hair, so her hair was burned by the hairdresser. When Ifemelu realized that her hair was burning the hairdresser said, “Just a little burn”, “but look how pretty it is. In this part, Ifemelu felt sad because she did not even recognize herself. (pg251)

Hair

2023-12-12 23:22:55 UTC

"but I'm never putting horse hair on my head again" (page 264) This is a bit sarcastic about the fact that some people are willing to add horse hair to fit the standards.

What Aunty Uju said

tamsmarnoz — 2023-12-13 22:54:15 UTC

It was something Aunty Uju said when she met with Ifemelu after she cut her hair and it connects with part of their identity because she has this idea that her natural hair is scruffy and that she should "adjust" it, a thought that was probably instilled by foreign cultures

Tamara Martinez.

Hair

2024-03-24 07:10:14 UTC

"Look at the way he behaves as if anything you touch starts smelling like perfume. He really likes you," Aunty Uju said, and then, face wrinkling, she added, "And even with your hair like that." (page 268-269)

This quote connects to the theme of love because Aunty Uju said that Curt really loves Ifemelu and that he doesn't care how her hair looks, he will be in love with her no matter what.