Identity

The author uses Ofunne's departure from home to university to initiate her quest for identity. When Ofunne first arrives at her new school, she is flooded with compliments and praise. When people call her "fine girl," she says: "I say to them with determination that I'm not here to be fine girl and agree with myself: I am not here to be fine girl" (192). She carries herself with confidence, convinced that she can remember where she has come from, and who her parents hope and expect her to be. She wears "the long skirt Dad bought with the oversize shirt Mum bought" (192). Clothing herself in the garments of her childhood past, Ofunne believes she might retain her origin, and keep her promise to her father to be "good" and "godly" (202). Despite her conviction and efforts throughout her early days on campus, Ofunne becomes distracted by the...