"White Teeth"

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the novel "White Teeth" by Zadie Smith. Specifically, it outlines and analyzes the most important differences between England in the 1990s and the early 1960s, and the reasons why these differences emerged. The paper argues that the book is about history just as much as it is about relationships. In conclusion, the paper finds Smith's book to be an interesting assessment of family, immigration, and history.

From the Paper:

"Immigration is a wedge between people in this story, and that is what it has become in Europe. What is most interesting is the way the immigrants themselves look at their children and their identities. Clara, a Jamaican black, is upset that her daughter's friends are all white, while Alsana, a Bengali, is upset that her sons' girlfriends are all white, as well. Both have different views of themselves and their society, but they both want their children to socialize with their "own kind," even though one married a man of another race, and the other married in an arranged marriage. They want to continue their culture and beliefs, but they left their countries and have come to England to find something more. This indicates the duality in immigrant relationships, and in the relationship between immigrants and whites, as well. There is always tension and mistrust, even in the most well meaning people, and this indicates the outlook throughout Europe (and much of the rest of the world) today. For many, immigrants are unwelcome and treated unfairly, and even for immigrants, they want to live in both worlds, but still do not accept everything about their new countries and the ideals of that country."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Smith, Zadie. White Teeth. New York: Random House, 2000.

More papers on "White Teeth":

• Analytical Essay # 139100 : "British Culture in "White Teeth"
• Book Review # 68870 : "Zadie Smith's "White Teeth"
• Book Review # 75588 : "White Teeth"
• Analytical Essay # 33992 : "Zadie Smith's "White Teeth"

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