ANALYSIS OF RETURN MIGRATION AND DISILLUSIONMENT IN SEFI ATTA’S A BIT OF DIFFERENCE

Abstract

This paper explores the theme of return migration and the disillusionment it fosters in Sefi Atta’s novel, A Bit of Difference. It examines the protagonist’s experience upon returning to Nigeria after years of living abroad. The analysis focuses on the clash between the idealized memory of home and the harsh realities of social, economic, and personal stagnation encountered upon return. The paper argues that Atta utilizes the protagonist’s disillusionment to critique the romanticized notions of migration and expose the challenges faced by returnees struggling to reconcile their expectations with the complexities of a changing homeland. Through the protagonist’s journey, the paper sheds light on the psychological and emotional impact of return migration, highlighting the place of displacement and unbelonging that can arise when the promise of a better life in one’s native country fails to materialize. This exploration is guided by migration theory to analyse the factors that push and pull people to migrate in the text. The paper finds that the pattern and impact of migration on individuals are critical interwoven factors that demand attention.