35 pages • 1 hour read
The Headstrong Historian
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Summary: “The Headstrong Historian”
“The Headstrong Historian” is a short story by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie that was first published in The New Yorker in 2008 and later as part of the anthology, The Thing Around Your Neck, in 2009. A highly decorated and award-winning author, Adichie often writes about cultural legacy, feminism, and identity, particularly as they relate to postcolonial Africa and the African diaspora—themes that echo throughout “The Headstrong Historian.”
The story centers on Nwamgba, a Nigerian woman who, after her husband’s sudden death, seeks justice against his cousins, whom she believes killed him, as well as the reinstatement of her family’s inheritance. Her efforts ultimately push her son into the hands of colonial missionaries, who threaten to disrupt and subsume Nwamgba and her family’s culture and identity. As her characters navigate their relationships within an increasing colonial power dynamic, Adichie underlines the importance of history and legacy, female resilience, and the dangers of colonial education.
This guide refers to the version of “The Headstrong Historian” in Adichie’s 2009 anthology, The Thing Around Your Neck.
The story begins as Nwamgba recalls memories of her husband, Obierika, and how they came to be married. The Unlock all 35 pages of this Study Guide Plus, gain access to 8,900+ more expert-written Study Guides. Including features:
Related Titles
By Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
