Abstract

This research examines Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Zikora (2020) through the lenses of feminist theories in intersectionality and deconstruction. The study examines how the works of feminist and deconstructionist scholars such as Judith Butler, Luce Irigarary, and Adichie herself, enrich our understanding of the protagonist’s struggles amid societal expectations, gender norms, and cultural traditions. Zikora’s rejection of certain inherited traditional norms such as circumcision and her decision to take an epidural during childbirth, serve as critical acts of resistance against deep-rooted patriarchal norms. By analyzing these feminist perspectives, the research reveals the sophisticated interplay between individual agency and societal structures by providing critical insights into themes of identity, power dynamics, and resistance within the course of the story. Deconstruction feminism further illuminates the complexities of Zikora’s journey by emphasizing the intersecting aspects of cultural heritage, motherhood, and bodily autonomy. In Zikora, the writer skillfully explores the signs of the conflicting societal pressures exerted on her and her rejection that creates a unique sense of the self. Eventually, this study contributes to the ongoing discussions surrounding self-signification and feminism. It highlights the relevance of feminist theories in revealing the complexities of gender, race, class, and cultural identity in contemporary nonmainstream narratives.