Perfume as an Odour-Evoked Trigger of Autobiographical Memory in Chimamamda Ngozi Adichie's Americanah

Abstract

This article examines perfume as an immediate trigger of an individual’s autobiographical memory. Autobiographical memories are often activated through the senses of smell and taste. This is associated with the Proust phenomenon. This phenomenon stems from neuroanatomy, as scent evokes nostalgia that benefits human psychology by fostering emotional well-being and a sense of social connectedness. This study explores how scent functions as a sensory device that recalls painful past experiences, including loss, identity, and trauma. The olfactory (piriform) cortex identifies smells, the amygdala generates emotional responses, and the hippocampus forms and retrieves memories. Unlike other sensory signals, olfactory signals bypass the brain’s sensory relay station, the thalamus, and travel directly to the olfactory bulb, which is closely connected to the amygdala and hippocampus.

Using the concepts of Odour-Evoked Autobiographical Memory (OEAM) and the Proust phenomenon, this study argues that perfume in the novel is not merely decorative but deeply symbolic, connecting memory and emotion. The paper also examines how scent functions as a narrative bridge between the past and the present, particularly in relation to migration and selfhood. For instance, the vanilla fragrance in Obinze’s flat evokes Ifemelu’s feelings of comfort and desire. Through the olfactory experiences, Adichie uses smell as a narrative device to connect memory, migration, identity, and trauma. Ultimately, the paper demonstrates how different odours evoke nostalgia, past experiences, and psychological trauma, revealing the profound relationship between smell, memory, emotion, and the human psyche.