Better Food, Better Life (Symbolism)
When Ugwu first arrives at Odenigbo’s house, the new houseboy is told that he can eat anything he wants from the kitchen. In fact, when Ugwu sees a whole chicken in the fridge, he becomes excited and even hides some chicken meat in his pocket, hoping that he will be able to take the chicken back to his family. For Ugwu, who was not accustomed to seeing whole cooked chickens, the sight of the meat surprises him. In his community, having that much meat meant having a good financial situation; for him, the chicken becomes a symbol for wealth, of a radically changed status based on modern comforts.
Roped Pots (Symbolism)
The roped pots are important for Richard, since one major reason he went to Africa was to see the pots for himself. The roped pots eventually come to symbolize Richard’s love for Kainene and for his love for Nigeria, a country that he holds dear even as it is overrun by warfare. In both cases, Richard gets so involved that he is considered an anomaly. Because he is a white male, he is expected to remain emotionless and even have a superior attitude when dealing with Africans. Richard, however, is truly interested in Nigeria; beyond investigating the roped pots, he learns to speak Igbo.
Magical Herbs (Motif)
A common motif in the novel's less troubled, pre-Civil War sections is the idea that there are herbs with magical power. Ugwu is among the first to experience such a belief when he prepares a magic stew for Odenigbo after melting the older man's socks while trying to iron them. Ugwu hoped that, by preparing a stew with a plant the Africans believed to have magical properties, he will be forgiven for his mistakes. Another character who believes that plants have magical properties is Richard. When he had problems with maintaining an erection, he asked his own helpers to find him a plant that can fix his problem.
Discovering How to Say No (Motif)
Richard compares two similar events he experienced to highlight the idea that he only felt in control a few times in his life. In both cases, Richard did something bad that ended up leading to a positive situation. In the first case, Richard ran away from his nanny when she was looking for him; he remained hidden for a period of time that is notable even in his adult memory. That was one early time when Richard felt that, despite being left alone by his parents, he could assert himself and rebel. The second event mentioned is Richard's break-up with Susan. He took his life in his own hands and chose a relationship that fit him better - contact with Kainene, a strong-willed woman from the Igbo culture that he adores.
Marriage as Confinement (Motif)
Olanna is an independent woman who above all fears being confined and controlled. She does everything she can to escape her parents’ influence, refusing to seduce possible business partners for her family and later refusing to leave Biafra as her parents insist. While she agrees to move in with her lover Odenigbo, she continues to pay the rent for her own place and insists on having her own things. Nevertheless, when Odenigbo asks her to marry him, she refuses, fearing that marriage will only trap her even more. Thus, Adichie construes marriage as a metaphor for confinement, a bond that is only brought into Olanna's life after much resistance and after the Civil War creates a new sense of urgency.
