Americanah: Chapter 26 Summary & Analysis

The narrative picks up after Obinze quits his first job as a toilet cleaner. He next finds a job cleaning a detergent-packing warehouse, but then is fired because of downsizing. He then works helping build kitchens, working with white people who call him “laborer.” Once he trips and falls on his knee, and one of his co-workers says “His knee is bad because he’s a knee-grow!” and everyone else laughs.

Obinze is then transferred to work at a new warehouse. His new boss, Roy Snell, is friendly and welcoming to him, immediately calling him “Vinny Boy.” Obinze starts working with Nigel, the youngest driver. Obinze is amused by the men at this new warehouse, how they boast and talk about women, cars, and soccer. Roy seems protective of Obinze, and finds extra shifts for him.

One day Roy suggests that Obinze should find a girl for a “shag,” but Obinze says that he has a girlfriend back home who has “magical powers.” Roy thinks this is hilarious, and says he would like to visit Nigeria with Obinze sometime. Nigel offers to show Obinze the London sights, and so after their deliveries they drive around and see the landmarks, with Nigel talking about his girlfriend.

One day Nigel asks Obinze for advice about talking to a girl. Nigel admits that his girlfriend isn’t really his girlfriend, but he wants to ask her out. He says Obinze looks like he knows “what to say to the birds.” Obinze gives simple advice, and Nigel seems disappointed. Nigel always splits his tip with Obinze, which the other drivers don’t do. Once Obinze is working with a different driver, and an old Jamaican woman slips Obinze a secret tip, saying “thank you brother.”