This paper examines how multiculturalism and its impact is depicted in Zadie Smith’s “NW” based on the experiences of three leading characters and their partners. Apart from that it aims to conclude whether or not NW’s diverse society can be characterised according to the melting pot or the salad bowl theory.
Multiculturalism has always been and will probably always be a far-reaching and simultaneously hotly debated issue. It is not just about the choice whether to eat at a Chinese or Italian restaurant but is also prevalent in the every-day communication with people. For many people, like for Zadie Smith, multiculturalism is a matter of course but for others it still represents a critical subject.
Due to globalization and the concurrent improvement of transport and communication technologies migration processes have become faster and easier than ever. People constantly change their place of living and working and consequently relationships have become not just international but also multicultural. The composition of different cultural communities in the countries of destination are constantly being transformed and diversified which thus can result to discrimination and prejudice.
London has consistently been a popular destination for immigrants from all places and is by far one of the world’s most diverse cities.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Multiculturalism
2.1 Cultural studies
2.2 Literary studies
3. How is Multiculturalism depicted in Zadie Smith’s NW?
3.1 Leah Hanwell and Michel
3.2 Keisha/Natalie Blake and Frank
3.3 Felix Cooper and Annie
4. Conclusion
5. Works cited
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper explores the manifestation of multiculturalism in Zadie Smith’s novel "NW", analyzing how diverse characters experience and navigate their identities within the urban periphery of London, ultimately questioning whether society there aligns more with the "melting pot" or "salad bowl" theory.
- The impact of globalization on modern migration and multicultural community formation.
- Theoretical definitions of multiculturalism within cultural and literary studies.
- Detailed character analysis of Leah Hanwell, Natalie Blake, and Felix Cooper regarding their cultural roots and social interactions.
- The role of prejudice, xenophobia, and identity crises in the lives of immigrants and their descendants.
- The significance of geographical space and "the periphery" in shaping social dynamics.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 Leah Hanwell and Michel
Leah Hanwell is in her thirties and has been brought up in NW London by her mother Pauline who is an Irish Protestant from Dublin. She is married to Michel, a French hairdresser with whom she lives in a rented apartment. Michel is from Algerian and Guadeloupean descent. Their multiracial relationship represents NW’s multicultural image (cf. Zapata, 88). Leah works for a charity in a town office as the only white women among Albanians, Afro-Carribeans and South Asians (cf. Smith, 31f). She never lived anywhere else than in Willesden and thus the interaction with people from all kinds of different ethnic backgrounds has been an ordinary aspect in her life since always. Leah is known as being open towards everybody, regardless from their skin-color, wealth or origin. “She befriended everyone without distinction or boundary” (Smith, 182).
As opposed to Leah’s attitude towards other cultures her mother Pauline has a strongly generalized view. She doesn’t distinguish between French or Algerian but states that “[a]ll of them are Nigerian” (Smith, 16). In addition, she refuses to pronounce Michel’s name in a French way but simply calls Michael (cf. Smith, 16). She also distances herself from Leah’s father’s descent by pointing out that Leah’s actions can be attributed to his origin because “no one who had her blood in them would fall for something so idiotic as that” (Smith, 16).
The general distance and unwillingness for interaction between different cultures is depicted by Smith through the relationship of Pauline and Michel. The omnipresence of “nothing but mistrust and misunderstanding” (Smith, 18) between those two can be projected onto the behavior of the general public. However, Leah’s relationship to Michel is not only seen as challenging by her mother but also by her colleagues.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter outlines the global relevance of multiculturalism and introduces the research objective to analyze how Zadie Smith’s "NW" portrays these dynamics through key characters.
2. Multiculturalism: This section provides a theoretical foundation by defining multiculturalism through the lenses of cultural and literary studies.
3. How is Multiculturalism depicted in Zadie Smith’s NW?: This core chapter examines how specific characters and their social interactions in Willesden serve as a synecdoche for the complexities of modern British identity.
3.1 Leah Hanwell and Michel: This chapter analyzes the multiracial marriage of Leah and Michel as a reflection of NW’s multicultural environment and the contrasting attitudes toward diversity held by Leah and her mother.
3.2 Keisha/Natalie Blake and Frank: This section explores Natalie’s struggle to reconcile her Jamaican roots with her aspirations for professional success and her complicated relationship with her identity.
3.3 Felix Cooper and Annie: This chapter contrasts the backgrounds of Felix and his girlfriend Annie, highlighting the emergence of racism and xenophobia within their social environment.
4. Conclusion: The concluding chapter synthesizes the findings, asserting that NW does not function as a "melting pot" but rather as a space where individual identities persist despite societal pressures.
5. Works cited: This chapter lists all academic sources and literary references utilized throughout the research paper.
Keywords
Multiculturalism, Zadie Smith, NW, London, Willesden, Identity, Cultural Studies, Literary Fiction, Ethnicity, Race, Integration, Assimilation, Melting Pot, Salad Bowl, Social Diversity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper examines how multiculturalism is represented in Zadie Smith’s novel "NW", focusing on the experiences of the protagonists and the social fabric of London’s periphery.
What are the central thematic areas explored?
The study centers on cultural and literary definitions of multiculturalism, the conflict between inherited roots and social assimilation, and the prevalence of prejudice in urban environments.
What is the core research question?
The research asks whether the society depicted in "NW" can be characterized as a "melting pot," where differences dissolve, or a "salad bowl," where unique cultural identities are maintained.
Which methodology is employed in this analysis?
The paper employs a literary analysis method, interpreting character developments, interpersonal relationships, and symbolic settings in the novel to draw conclusions about the broader societal themes.
What is covered in the main body of the paper?
The main body investigates the characters Leah Hanwell, Natalie Blake, and Felix Cooper, analyzing how their specific lives reflect the broader challenges of multicultural cohabitation.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Multiculturalism, Identity, NW, Zadie Smith, Ethnicity, Integration, and Urban Periphery.
How does Natalie Blake's character struggle with her heritage?
Natalie attempts to distance herself from her Jamaican roots by changing her name from Keisha, yet she continues to experience identity crises, ultimately realizing that she cannot fully abandon her origins.
In what way does Annie exhibit xenophobic tendencies?
Annie displays intolerance toward characters from different cultural backgrounds, viewing herself as superior while dealing with her own financial failures, which highlights the hypocrisy often associated with prejudice.
- Citar trabajo
- Jasmin Haddad (Autor), 2019, Multiculturalism in "NW" by Zadie Smith, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/976071
