"Checking Out"

“Checking Out" by Chimamanrda Ngozi Adichie highlights the plight of the undocumented immigrant. The character of Roy Snell portrays the effects of the notion of the single story. Though Roy seems to care about Obinze, he doesn’t step away from his ill-conceived notions as to what Africans are like. Roy refers to women as “birds” and he often brings women up in his conversations with Obinze. Insomuch that he says, “I think I’ll take a holiday and go to Nigeria when you’re back there for a visit.” (71) Many of Roy’s comments are offensive as reflected by the following “with another jab at Obinze’s belly” this description comes after every ignorant comment Roy makes. Another example is when says, “You look like you know what to do with the birds.” (71)

Obinze travels to England for the sole purpose of ending up in the U.S.A. He’s an educated man that comes from a family of money but society attaches the single story to him of what Africans are like. Then there’s the other side of the spectrum; Obinze’s national identity is forsaken due to stereotypes and the fact that he is no longer standing on the soil of his own country.

Adichie concludes this story with these poignant words, “A thing to be removed. A thing without breath and mind. A thing.” (73) Obnize is no longer a human being. He’s a thing. As with many undocumented immigrants throughout the world that are not seen for who they are, but more so for what they are. They are society’s issue and unlawful “things” that flee to other countries just to rob those countries of something/s.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie quipped: “Lasting love has to be built on mutual regard and respect. It is about seeing the other person. I am very interested in relationships and, when I watch couples, sometimes I can sense a blindness has set in. They have stopped seeing each other. It is not easy to see another person.”