Checking Out

Adichie employs figurative language to underscore the unpleasant nature of Obinze’s immigrant experience. For example, the author personifies London in the opening paragraph to underline the city’s unwelcoming atmosphere for immigrants like Obinze. A similar effect is created in the description of police officers’ “stony eyes.” This metaphor suggests the hostility with which the British population seems to view immigrants.

In “Checking Out,” allusion is used to deepen the story’s cultural context through references to Nigerian culture, history, and events. For example, in the story’s exposition, Obinze recalls the violently oppressive tactics of General Buhari’s military regime during the 1980s, including “flogging adults in the streets” (Paragraph 32).

The allusion to “checking out” in the story’s title is central to the narrative’s exploration of the immigrant experience and cultural identity. As a child, Obinze perceived the infomercial “Andrew Checking Out” as confirmation of his belief that leaving Nigeria for the West would result in a better life. He shared Andrew’s frustrations with Nigeria’s limited resources, which meant that he could only drink Fanta on a Sunday.