In the following, this seminar paper will focus on transculturality by mainly referring to Homi K. Bhabha's “concept of hybridity and what he calls the third space” (Bentley 20008: 20) which Bhabha
developed in contrast to multiculturalism (cf. Sommer 2001: 50). Furthermore, “Stuart Hall's concept of new ethnicities” (Bentley 2008: 20), which deals with “the historical development of racial politics” (ibid.: 21), will be outlined.
In the following character analysis, with regard to Bhabha's third space, this seminar paper will examine whether Samad Iqbal and Irie Jones are able to create such a third space or not.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Multiculturalism, transculturality and the national form
3. Character Analysis
3.1. Samad Iqbal
3.2. Irie Jones
4. Conclusion
5. Bibliography
Objectives and Topics
This academic paper aims to examine the representation of multiculturalism and transculturality in Zadie Smith's novel "White Teeth". By focusing on the concept of the "third space" as defined by Homi K. Bhabha, the study explores whether the characters Samad Iqbal and Irie Jones successfully navigate their cultural identities within contemporary Britain or remain caught in essentialist frameworks.
- Multiculturalism and the debate on national identity
- Transculturality as an alternative to classical assimilation models
- Character study of Samad Iqbal and his struggle with cultural purity
- Analysis of Irie Jones and her pursuit of a neutral, transcultural existence
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 Samad Iqbal
Samad Iqbal is a first-generation immigrant that feels dislocated and alienated in London. Samad has not fully arrived in London, and still has the status of a migrant in an intermediate position (cf. Schaff 2009: 285): "He represents a diasporic identity and only survives with the help of the intact memory of this roots, home, history, and community." (Schaff 2009: 285).
Nearly all of Samad's thinking revolves around his own and his twins Magid's and Millat's cultural values and orientations. As much as Samad regrets and attempts to fight Magid's assimilation into Western culture in Britain, he is himself 'corrupted' by Western ways of life due to the fact that he states in a fit of moral self-confession after he has interfered with ('killed') his son playing a video game, for example (cf. Hallet 2011: 55-56):
Samad closed his eyes and forced his eyeballs to roll up as far as possible in his head, in the hope that his brain might impact upon them, a self-blinding, if he could achieve it, on a par with that other victim of Western corruption, Oedipus. Think: I want another woman. Think: I've killed my son. I swear. I eat bacon. I regularly slap the salami. I drink Guinness. My best friend is a kaffir non-believer. I tell myself if I rub up and won without using hands it does not count. But it does count. It all counts on the great counting board of He who counts. What will happen come Mahshar? How will I absolve myself when the Last Judgement comes? (WT 148-149; also see Hallet 2011: 56).
On the one hand, this excerpt shows that Samad longs for a clear cultural orientation and ethnic purity, "the very idea of belonging" (WT 407; also see Hallet 2011: 56) to belong to one pure, i.e. Muslim culture which is connected with his Bangladeshi origin and his family roots in the history of the anti-colonial Indian mutiny. On the other hand, Samad is unable to live up to his religious beliefs and values. Thus, his mind is permanently engaged in negotiating different cultural orientations without being able to resolve this mental intercultural struggle (cf. Hallet 2011: 56).
Chapter Summary
1. Introduction: Provides an overview of the novel's critical reception and introduces the theoretical focus on transculturality and Homi K. Bhabha's "third space".
2. Multiculturalism, transculturality and the national form: Discusses the theoretical framework, defining multiculturalism as a contested term and transculturality as a more flexible approach to cultural identity.
3. Character Analysis: Examines the personal struggles of Samad Iqbal and Irie Jones regarding their hybrid identities and sense of belonging.
3.1. Samad Iqbal: Analyzes Samad's failure to reconcile his traditional religious values with his life as a modern immigrant in London.
3.2. Irie Jones: Investigates Irie's development and her attempts to find a neutral space beyond inherited cultural and racial expectations.
4. Conclusion: Summarizes the findings, concluding that while Samad fails to achieve a "third space", Irie's trajectory offers a more hopeful, transcultural vision.
5. Bibliography: Lists all primary and secondary sources utilized for this study.
Keywords
Zadie Smith, White Teeth, Multiculturalism, Transculturality, Third Space, Homi K. Bhabha, Identity, Migration, Samad Iqbal, Irie Jones, Postcolonialism, Hybridity, British Literature, Cultural Essentialism, Diaspora
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary subject of this paper?
The paper examines the representation of multicultural identity in Zadie Smith's novel "White Teeth", specifically looking at how characters navigate their migrant status.
What are the main thematic areas covered?
The core themes include the concept of national identity, cultural hybridity, the immigrant experience in Britain, and the struggle between tradition and assimilation.
What is the central research question?
The research explores whether characters like Samad Iqbal and Irie Jones can create a "third space" for themselves that allows them to escape the binary traps of race and national heritage.
Which scientific method does the author employ?
The author uses a literary analysis approach, drawing on postcolonial theory—specifically Homi K. Bhabha’s concepts of "third space" and "hybridity"—to interpret the narrative developments of the characters.
What topics are discussed in the main section of the paper?
The main section analyzes the characters Samad Iqbal and Irie Jones, detailing their respective conflicts, their family histories, and their ultimately different approaches to integrating into society.
Which keywords characterize this academic work?
Key terms include multiculturalism, transculturality, third space, hybridity, postcolonialism, and the specific character developments of Samad Iqbal and Irie Jones.
Why does Samad Iqbal fail to create a "third space" in the novel?
Samad remains trapped by essentialist, deterministic views of culture and religion, which prevents him from accepting the realities of his life in London, leading to a sense of perpetual moral failure.
How does Irie Jones's perspective differ from Samad's regarding her origins?
Unlike Samad, who is obsessed with his ancestral past and purity, Irie eventually seeks to escape the "obsession" of her parents' generation and attempts to define her own neutral, transcultural existence.
- Quote paper
- Cesare Siglarski (Author), 2014, Multiculturalism in Zadie Smith's "White Teeth", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/321814
