Half of a Yellow Sun: Part 3, Chapter 23 Summary & Analysis

Olanna goes to Richard’s house. They talk nervously and both decide to keep what happened a secret from Kainene. Soon afterward Olanna tells Odenigbo, though, after he asks her to move back in with him and tries to blame his mother again. Odenigbo is incredulous, and he doesn’t speak to Olanna when she leaves. Back at her apartment she wishes she had said more, or explained that she regrets betraying Kainene but doesn’t regret the act itself, as “the selfishness had liberated her.”

The next morning Edna comes to her door crying, and says that a black church was bombed in her hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. Edna finally cries herself to sleep, and Olanna thinks about how “a single act could reverberate over time and space and leave stains that could never be washed off.” She decides to not choose misery, and resolves to move back in with Odenigbo.

On their first night back together Olanna and Odenigbo eat in silence, and then discuss politics. Olanna is somewhat glad that Odenigbo’s confidence has been shaken, as now he will have to work too to keep the relationship together. Odenigbo says that he saw Richard and told him to stop coming to his house. Olanna says he should blame her, not Richard, and then she and Odenigbo have sex.

Olanna gets up and calls Kainene to make sure Richard hasn’t confessed. Kainene is her usual sardonic self, making fun of Odenigbo, and Olanna is relieved. She decides it is probably best that Richard won’t be visiting anymore.

Amala has a baby girl, and Olanna and Odenigbo go to Abba. They visit the hospital and Mama looks dour. Amala won’t look at them, and the nurse says that Amala refuses to touch the baby. Olanna holds the baby and wonders about Amala. She cannot tell if Amala hates Odenigbo, as Amala has no voice – there was no option of whether or not she could resist Odenigbo, whether or not she was sent by Mama to his room.

Olanna and Odenigbo drive home, and Odenigbo says that Mama doesn’t want the baby, as she wanted a boy. Olanna suddenly declares that she wants the baby. Odenigbo is surprised, and Olanna’s mother thinks it is a bad idea when she calls her, but Olanna is resolved. She calls Kainene, who at first is sarcastic, but then says she thinks it is very brave. Olanna feels that Kainene’s approval is a good omen.

Olanna brings the baby home, and tells Odenigbo about Ugwu’s belief in Mama’s medicine. Odenigbo says it is no more irrational than Christianity. Olanna affirms that she does believe in a good God, and Odenigbo declares that he believes in love. Olanna laughs at this. She says she wants the baby’s name to be Chiamaka, “God is beautiful,” which Kainene suggested.

Olanna tries to call Kainene a few times that evening, and finally she picks up. Kainene immediately says “you fucked Richard.” Kainene sounds calm but hoarse, and she says Olanna is the “good one” and didn’t have to do something like this. Olanna apologizes and says it was unforgivable, and Kainene agrees and hangs up.