When you start a course in a new semester you have different expectations what to deal with in this course. In sports it is obvious practicing the kind of sport you have chosen. But in English most expectations are different because you have never heard of some topics in your life before.
The course “Black British Writing” with Mrs. Bartels fulfilled my expectations surprisingly because we dealt with different British authors whose origins are in southern countries and who live in Great Britain, now.
The main part of this course was taken up by the novel White Teeth by Zadie Smith. Therefore it seems appropriate writing an essay about this book. Of course, it is not possible to write ten pages about the whole book, but to concentrate on one important aspect.
The aspect I will concentrate on is the introduction and analysis of the members of the three families dominating the novel. The families presented in the novel are not the kind of family I know in real life. Their attitudes towards life differ from ideologies like in Germany which is worth being analysed and that opens new vistas.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Main Part 1
- Summary of the novel "White Teeth"
- Main Part 2
- Definition "family"
- The family Jones
- The Family Iqbal
- The family Chalfen
- Conclusion
- Bibliography
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay aims to analyze the portrayal of family dynamics in Zadie Smith's novel "White Teeth," focusing on the three main families: the Joneses, the Iqbals, and the Chalfens. The analysis will explore how these families deviate from traditional notions of family structures and how their experiences reflect broader societal changes.- The evolving definition of "family" in modern society
- The complexities of intercultural relationships and identity formation
- The influence of past experiences on present-day relationships
- The impact of social and cultural expectations on family dynamics
- The role of individual choice and agency in shaping family structures
Chapter Summaries
The novel opens with Archie Jones, a disillusioned Englishman, contemplating suicide on New Year's Day 1975. His encounter with Samad Iqbal, a Muslim Bengali, sets the stage for a complex and multifaceted narrative exploring the intertwined lives of these two families and the Chalfen family. The first chapter introduces the characters and their backgrounds, highlighting their unique perspectives and experiences shaped by their respective cultures and histories.
The second part delves into the concept of "family" as a cultural construct that has evolved throughout history. The text contrasts traditional patriarchal family models with contemporary views emphasizing love, affection, and diverse family forms. This section sets the stage for a nuanced analysis of the three families presented in the novel.
The analysis of the Jones family reveals the complexities of their relationships, highlighting Archie's struggle with his past and his inability to connect deeply with his family. The reader is introduced to Archie's wife, Clara, a Jamaican woman with a strong personality, and their daughter, Irie, who grapples with her identity and the societal pressures she faces. This chapter emphasizes the impact of past experiences on present-day relationships and the challenges faced by individuals navigating diverse cultural backgrounds.
Keywords
The key themes and concepts explored in this essay include: family, identity, culture, social change, intercultural relationships, postcolonialism, Britishness, multiculturalism, and the novel "White Teeth" by Zadie Smith.- Quote paper
- Nicole Fürch (Author), 2006, Zadie Smith: „White Teeth“ - The Families, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/135577
