Immigrants and migration in White Teeth from "summary" of A Study Guide for Zadie Smith's "White Teeth" by Gale, Cengage Learning
Immigration and migration are an important part of Zadie Smith's novel White Teeth. The novel follows characters who have moved from other countries and examines how they navigate their new lives in England, and how they navigate their different cultures and identities.- The novel, White Teeth by Zadie Smith, explores the complicated history and emotions that accompany immigration and migration. Throughout the narrative, immigrants from diverse backgrounds are depicted trying to reconcile their traditional values and beliefs with rapidly-changing modern cultures.
- The diversity of the characters’ backgrounds – their race, religion, class, gender, and nationality – illustrate how intricate a journey of migration can be. In some cases, like Archibald's daughter Hortense, there is a reluctance to embrace the new environment; on the other hand, some eagerly seek the opportunities it presents.
- As a result, there is a palpable atmosphere of alienation among the immigrant characters. Amidst all the chaos, notions of belonging and acceptance remain elusive for many of them, as they struggle to adjust to a situation that will never quite meet their expectations.
- Identity is one of the recurring themes in the novel, as none of the main characters feel entirely at home in their current culture. This tension serves as an interesting contrast to the way they attempt to preserve their rich heritage and pass down important traditions to their descendants.
- Several characters also exhibit ambivalent feelings towards globalization, which is often framed as a double-edged sword. On one hand, there are advantages such as increased economic opportunities; on the other hand, this leads to cultural assimilation and conflicts between communities.
- The narrative serves as a reminder of how crucial it is to recognize the background of immigrants who leave behind their homelands to build a better life somewhere else. Through personal stories, readers understand the courage, resilience, and determination needed by those uprooting their lives and starting anew.
