Aufgabenstellung

Please note: The solutions presented here are just one possible way to approach the task. There are often multiple valid methods and perspectives, and alternative approaches may be equally effective.

II.1 Leseverstehen

The excerpt from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s "The Arrangers of Marriage" provides important background information about the narrator and her husband.

The narrator is originally from Nigeria and has just arrived in New York, USA, to start a new life with her newlywed husband. Her marriage was arranged by her uncle and aunt, who have taken care of her since the death of her parents. At the time of the story, she is still unemployed, as she has not yet received her American work permit. Her husband, Ofodile, is also a Nigerian immigrant who has been living alone in a small New York flat before her arrival. In order to obtain a green card, he previously entered a bogus marriage with an American woman. Although their divorce was nearly finalised, it had not been legally completed when he married the narrator in Nigeria. This has led to serious complications, as the American woman is now blackmailing him and threatening to report him to immigration authorities if he does not give her more money.

II.2 Analyse

In the excerpt from the short story "The Arrangers of Marriage" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the narrator’s emotional journey is presented through a combination of narrative techniques and stylistic devices. Her state of mind develops from initial disappointment to growing disillusionment, followed by estrangement and eventually suppressed anger.
These feelings are effectively conveyed through the use of a first-person narrative, figurative language, and detailed imagery, allowing the reader to empathise with her experience.

The first-person narration plays a key role in making the narrator’s thoughts and feelings accessible. Her emotions are conveyed directly, for example when she says, “I felt light-headed” (l. 19), expressing her exhaustion and disorientation after arriving in the United States. Similarly, her relief is shown in “I relaxed moments later” (ll. 25-26), revealing her anxiety about the new marriage. Self-reflective comments, such as “I had imagined a smooth driveway snaking between cucumber-colored lawns, a door leading into a hallway, walls with sedate paintings. A house like those of the white newlyweds in the American films that NTA showed on Saturday nights” (ll. 6-8), show her personal expectations and cultural background, drawing the reader closer to her internal conflict and disappointment which allows the reader to feel empathy for the narrator. From the beginning, the narrator’s reaction to her new life in New York is marked by disappointment. The process of entering the USA is portrayed as difficult and dehumanizing, as she explains how “the officer raked through [her] suitcase” (l. 20). The narrator uses the imagery of a “head full of cotton wool” (l. 21), which further illustrates her confusion and lack of control. Having arrived at her new accomodation, the disappointment continues. Her new home does not match the dream she had imagined, which is shown by the strong contrast between the imagery of her ideal house which she imagined to have a “smooth driveway … cucumber-colored lawns … sedate paintings” (ll. 6-7) in contrast to the reality, which is described using negatively connotated words such as “brooding stairs,” “airless hallway,” and “musty smells” (ll. 2-11). Personification is also used when she explains that she felt like “the walls had become uncomfortable with each other” (l. 15), reflecting her own discomfort. An enumeration and anaphora—“No mention of offensive snoring, no mention of houses that turned out to be furniture-challenged flats” (ll. 28-30)—highlight her growing skepticism and sarcasm. The narrator’s disillusionment is especially evident in her reaction to her husband. Her hope that “no wifely duties would be required” (l. 25) underlines her reluctance and emotional distance. Throughout the excerpt, she refers to him as “my new husband” (l. 1) or simply “he” (l. 9), rarely using his name, which reflects her lack of closeness to him. The antithesis in “I curled up tight [...]. I relaxed moments later when I heard my new husband’s measured snoring.” (ll. 24-26) emphasises her unease and fear during their first night together. As time passes, the narrator also becomes more estranged from her surroundings. The description of winter supports this feeling of alienation. The season is personified when she says that “Winter sneaked up on [her]” (l. 31) and the imagery of “God … shredding tufts of white tissue and flinging them down” (ll. 32-33) suggests chaos and her emotional vulnerability. Her daily routine—“I scrubbed the kitchen floor again, cut out more coupons … and then sat by the window” (ll. 34-36)—shows her growing frustration and passive isolation. Finally, her suppressed anger is shown through physical actions rather than spoken words. When she learns the truth about her husband’s past, she begins “shredding the coupons into smaller and smaller bits” (l. 65) and later “threw…, clasped [her] hands together, and dug [her] nails into [her] skin” (ll. 74-75). These non-verbal expressions of frustration demonstrate the emotional pressure she is under and the lack of open communication in the marriage. The image of “broken-up pictures of detergents and meat packs and paper towels” (l. 66) symbolically reflects her broken expectations and emotional state. In conclusion, through the use of first-person narration, vivid imagery, and emotionally charged language, the author effectively conveys the narrator’s journey from hope to disillusionment. The combination of introspective commentary and symbolic actions allows the reader to understand and empathise with her psychological and emotional struggles in a new and alien environment.

II.3 Persönliche Stellungnahme bzw. gestaltende Schreibaufgabe

3a)

In both Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s short story excerpt "The Arrangers of Marriage" and Jhumpa Lahiri’s "The Third and Final Continent", the female characters leave their home countries and follow their husbands to the United States. In each case, the marriage was arranged in Nigeria and India respectively. While both husbands play a role in helping their wives settle in, they differ significantly in their approach and sensitivity. Below, it will be discussed to what extent the husbands support their wives’ integration into their new homeland.

In "The Arrangers of Marriage", the male protagonist, Ofodile, provides some basic support for his wife’s integration. He has secured an apartment in the US and promises to improve it now that she has arrived. He also appears to be financially stable, which is a key factor in allowing his wife to settle and eventually integrate.

Moreover, he married an American woman to obtain a green card, which, ironically, was a necessary step for bringing his Nigerian wife to the US.

In addition, Ofodile insists on speaking American English and corrects his wife’s vocabulary, which he believes is important for her to blend into American society.

However, these actions are outweighed by his lack of emotional support and openness. His wife feels uncomfortable and disappointed with the apartment, which does not match her expectations of a home in America.

Although she expresses interest in finding employment, Ofodile fails to acknowledge her wish or support her ambitions. In fact, his unresolved marital status with the American woman becomes an obstacle to her obtaining a work permit and thus a job.

Furthermore, even though she already speaks English well, she prefers to speak Igbo to herself, indicating her need for cultural comfort. Yet Ofodile dismisses this and pressures her to adapt completely, disregarding her Nigerian identity. His insistence on Americanisation and his dishonesty, such as not telling her about his previous marriage, create a sense of alienation, rather than helping her feel at home in the new country.

By contrast, the narrator in "The Third and Final Continent" is more supportive of his wife Mala’s integration. He provides a home in Cambridge, an international city that is relatively welcoming to immigrants. Having previously lived in Britain, he is already familiar with the experience of adapting to a new culture and is therefore more understanding and patient. He helps his wife adjust gently by speaking Bengali at home and eating traditional Bengali meals with her, which reduces the culture shock. Rather than forcing her to assimilate quickly, he allows her time and space to adapt, and is open to experiencing American culture alongside her, treating their relationship more like a partnership.

Nevertheless, there are certain limitations. The international environment of Cambridge may delay full integration into American society, as the couple might mostly interact with other immigrants. Also, since the narrator has not lived in the US for long himself, he may not be fully able to guide his wife through every cultural challenge. Additionally, the fact that they mostly speak Bengali at home might slow down her ability to learn or practise English, which would be helpful for integration.

In conclusion, while both husbands provide some level of practical support, the narrator in "The Third and Final Continent" is ultimately more helpful and sensitive to his wife’s emotional and cultural needs. He understands that integration is not only about learning a new language or getting a job, but also about feeling respected, secure, and connected to one’s roots. Ofodile, on the other hand, fails to recognise his wife’s individuality and cultural identity, and his dishonesty and controlling behaviour make her feel even more disconnected. Therefore, it is clear that the narrator in Lahiri’s story plays a far more positive role in helping his wife integrate into their new homeland.

3b)

Speaking Your Way Home: How Language Shapes the Immigrant Journey

By Liv Thompson, for the "Language and Identity" Project

When immigrants arrive in a new country, they don’t just carry bags, they carry identities, histories, and most importantly, languages. But how does language affect their ability to integrate into their new home? Can it help them feel like they belong, or can it actually hold them back?

In this article, we’ll explore how language plays a powerful and complex role in the integration process of immigrants, using the short story “The Southside Raza Image Federation Corps of Discovery” by Luis Alberto Urrea as an example.
The story follows Junior, a bright Chicano teenager in America, and Shadow, an older Chicano who represents a very different attitude toward language and identity.

Language as a Marker of Belonging

For many immigrants, language is the first link to community. Speaking a shared language can make someone feel like they are part of something bigger, especially in a foreign environment.
In Urrea’s story, Junior and Shadow both speak a mixture of English and Spanish, often referred to as “Spanglish.” This hybrid language is a strong part of their Chicano identity. It connects them to their roots and gives them a way to express who they are — not fully Mexican, not fully American, but something in between. This shared language helps build trust and familiarity between them, showing how language can create a sense of belonging among immigrants from the same background.

Language as a Marker of Integration

At the same time, mastering the language of the host country, in this case, English, can open doors and help immigrants connect with the wider society.
Junior is an excellent example of this. He is eager to learn and deeply interested in American culture and history. His fascination with Lewis and Clark, two iconic figures of American exploration, shows that language isn’t just about speaking, it’s also about understanding the world around you. Through English, Junior gains access to the values, ideas, and knowledge of the host country, making integration more possible.

Language as a Marker of Enrichment

Language can also be a tool for self-improvement and recognition. Junior’s passion for reading has given him a strong command of English, and this sets him apart from his peers, especially Shadow, who struggles with grammar and has not done well in school.

Because of his language skills, Junior is appreciated and respected even within his Chicano group. He is someone who can move between two worlds: he feels at home both in the white American environment and in his Chicano community. This ability gives him more opportunities, socially, academically, and possibly even professionally in the future.

But: Language as a Marker of Separation

However, language can also be a barrier, especially when it keeps people stuck in their own cultural bubble.
Shadow, for instance, socialises mostly with other Chicanos and avoids school and academic life. He sticks to his group and his way of speaking, which may feel comfortable but also limits his chances to integrate fully into American society. In this way, heritage language, when used exclusively, can sometimes prevent immigrants from taking part in the mainstream culture.

Language as a Marker of Power

Finally, language can be used to include or exclude, to show superiority or resistance. Shadow, for example, mocks American language and culture, calling Lady Gaga “Lady Caca” and criticising Junior for speaking “like a white boy.” At the same time, he uses English to assert power over other Mexicans, scolding them and making himself feel more American than they are. This shows how language can become a kind of weapon, dividing people rather than uniting them. It reminds us that integration is not just about knowing a language, but also about how we use it.

Conclusion: A Two-Way Street

Language plays a crucial role in an immigrant’s integration, but it is neither simple nor one-sided. As seen in “The Southside Raza Image Federation Corps of Discovery”, language can be a bridge to understanding and opportunity, or a wall that separates and isolates.

In the end, successful integration often depends on balance: keeping a connection to your roots while also being open to learning and adapting. Junior’s journey shows us that language is not just a skill, it’s a part of our identity, and how we use it can shape our place in the world.