Immigrants in a multicultural and postmodern world: multiculturalism in Zadie Smith’s White Teeth and The Autograph Man

Abstract

In sociology, multiculturalism pertains to the coexistence of diverse ethnic groups within a community. On the other hand, in political science multiculturalism refers to the state’s ability to deal with different ethnic communities. Often a state creates political models to deal with the diverse cultural communities interfering with the language, religion, occupation, education and lifestyle. Many writers have included the multicultural experiences of immigrants in their novels and poems. Zadie Smith’s novels, White Teeth and The Autograph Man depict characters from different cultural backgrounds struggling to co-exist in multicultural Britain. The study of multiculturalism connects to certain postmodern sensibilities. These sensibilities acknowledge the heterogeneous nature of human existence. Multiculturalism in the work of Smith needs analysis through the postmodern lens. Her writings express cultural dilemmas and simultaneously hint at the negotiation between different cultures.