Who am I? What makes me me? These are questions of daily importance to every individual human being. The question of what defines us in our per-sonality cannot be answered in a single sentence, or easily. Multiple external factors from the field of culture such as ethnicity, race, class, gender, sexual orientation or history impinge on who we are, what we identify ourselves or are identified with. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, identity defines
"Who or what a person or thing is; a distinct impression of a single person or thing presented to or perceived by others; a set of char-acteristics or a description that distinguishes a person from others."
Depending on a person’s social surroundings with all its cultural identifiers, his or her identity is shaped.
In Zadie Smith’s novel White Teeth and Hanif Kureishi’s screenplay My Beautiful Laundrette identity is presented and problematised as “In-betweenness” . Both works focus on immigrants and their children, the se-cond generation, and the difficulties they face in their daily life caused by in-betweenness. In-betweenness as a term is quite self-explanatory and depicts ambiguity on several levels like belonging, ethnicity or sexual orientation/ habits, to name only a few. This ambiguity entails the social life of the characters as well as their emotional state. In the context of belonging, it is Cherry, from My Beautiful Laundrette, who first brings the term “in-betweenness” up:
Oh God, I’m so sick of hearing about these in-betweens. People should make up their minds where they are. (Kureishi, p. 37)
By this, she labels the subliminal topic of both literary works.
With In-betweenness as a special form of identity, this research paper searches for reasons and circumstances, which make the characters in White Teeth and My Beautiful Laundrette feel in-between. On the basis of their behaviour and emotional condition against the background of their cul-tural affiliations, it will also specify the conflicts and probable advantages the state of in-betweenness entails.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. The Causes of In-betweenness
II.1. Roots and Belonging
II.2. Preserving vs. Adapting
II.2.1. Samad & Hussein
II.2.2. Nasser & Ardashir
II.2.3. Clara & Cherry
II.3. Second Generation/ Generation Conflict
II.3.1. Irie & Tania
II.3.1. The Twins & Omar
II.4. Sexual Habits
III. Conflicts caused by In-betweenness
III.1. Religious
III.2. Ethical and Moral
III.3. Violence
IV. Positive Aspects of In-betweenness
IV.1. Friendship
V. Conclusion
Objectives & Research Topics
The research paper examines the concept of "in-betweenness" as a specific form of identity within Zadie Smith’s novel White Teeth and Hanif Kureishi’s screenplay My Beautiful Laundrette. It investigates the circumstances that lead immigrant characters and the second generation to feel "in-between," analyzes the resulting social and internal conflicts, and evaluates the potential advantages and positive coping strategies, such as deep friendships, that arise from this state of ambiguity.
- The definition and manifestation of "in-betweenness" in post-colonial literature.
- Generational conflicts between immigrant parents and their children regarding identity and belonging.
- The impact of cultural, religious, and sexual identity on character development.
- The role of friendship as a "safe haven" and a tool to overcome identity crises.
Excerpt from the Book
II.2.1. Samad & Hussein
The dilemma both, Samad (WT) and Hussein (MBL), are in originates amongst other things from their disappointment in the English working system that does not give them the opportunities to work in their learnt profession. Both have studied. While Samad should not work as a waiter, since he is overqualified for this job, it is the only job he got offered. Hussein, who has been “a famous journalist in Bombay”, does not even have a job in England, hence is so frustrated he is not leaving his bed anymore and drowns his dissatisfaction in alcohol. As a marginal note, Darcus (WT), who does not leave his armchair either, does not speak properly and only watches TV should be put into consideration about the letdown of the English working system, too. These feelings are so strong that both, Samad and Hussein, start to preserve their roots in order to protect them from any Anglicising.
He [Samad] tries to preserve his religion and culture […] which should remain entirely untouched by the British culture. With the same aim in his mind, in the past, his great-grand father [sic] put his life in danger. […] He asks “What am I going to do, after this war is over, this war that is already over – what am I going to do? Go back to Bengal? Or to Delhi? Who would have such an Englishman there? To England? Who would have such an Indian? They promise us independence in Exchange [sic] for the men we were. But it is a devilish deal” (Smith 2000, 112)
After all that has happened to them, also the impossibility of going back to their home countries, they gain a romantic idea of their past, when all seems to have been perfect and clear. Also, as it seems obvious to them that they can’t do a lot about their situation, they try to bring their children up the best possible way, to survive in this country, which has not done them any good.
Summary of Chapters
I. Introduction: Defines identity and introduces "in-betweenness" as the central problematic theme for the immigrant characters in the selected literary works.
II. The Causes of In-betweenness: Analyzes the roots of cultural ambiguity, focusing on the dichotomy between preserving traditions versus adapting to a new society, and the resulting generation conflicts.
II.1. Roots and Belonging: Discusses the internal and social struggle of characters who feel drawn between their home country and their current life in England.
II.2. Preserving vs. Adapting: Explores different life strategies chosen by characters to handle their ambiguous state.
II.2.1. Samad & Hussein: Examines the frustration of highly educated immigrants and their futile attempts to protect their cultural identity.
II.2.2. Ardashir & Nasser: Contrasts the previous characters with those who accept in-betweenness and succeed by adapting to British business culture.
II.2.3. Clara & Cherry: Investigates characters who repress their past and origins to avoid confronting their ambiguous identity.
II.3. Second Generation/ Generation Conflict: Analyzes how the children of immigrants navigate their own sense of belonging, often in rebellion against their parents.
II.3.1. Irie & Tania: Compares the rebellious paths of two young women searching for self-determination against parental expectations.
II.3.1. The Twins & Omar: Looks at the paths of Magid, Millat, and Omar, who seek to escape their prescribed destinies through distinct avenues like fundamentalism, science, or commerce.
II.4. Sexual Habits: Discusses how adultery and sexuality serve as additional indicators and causes of ambiguous life situations.
III. Conflicts caused by In-betweenness: Reviews how internal and external ambiguity can escalate into personal, social, and physical conflicts.
III.1. Religious: Investigates the religious contradictions and fundamentalist reactions of characters like Samad and Millat.
III.2. Ethical and Moral: Highlights how social pressure and lack of opportunity lead characters toward unethical choices, such as criminal behavior.
III.3. Violence: Discusses how frustration with social status and belonging leads to manifestations of violence, both individual and group-based.
IV. Positive Aspects of In-betweenness: Argues that in-betweenness can foster coexistence, mutual respect, and multicultural understanding.
IV.1. Friendship: Details how deep, cross-cultural friendships provide stability and a sense of "home" for characters in ambiguous positions.
V. Conclusion: Summarizes that while in-betweenness causes significant dilemmas, it also provides an opportunity for characters to define their own uniqueness and coexist peacefully.
Keywords
In-betweenness, Identity, Migration, Belonging, Cultural Ambiguity, Generation Conflict, Diaspora, Multiculturalism, Adaptation, Fundamentalism, Friendship, Literature, Post-colonialism, Social Conflict, Integration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this research paper?
The paper explores the concept of "in-betweenness" as an identity crisis faced by immigrants and their children in contemporary Britain, using White Teeth and My Beautiful Laundrette as primary examples.
What are the central themes examined in the study?
Key themes include cultural belonging, generational clashes, religious conflicts, the search for identity, and the redeeming role of friendship in multicultural societies.
What is the primary objective of the research?
The goal is to analyze the reasons behind the feeling of "in-betweenness" and to investigate both the resulting conflicts and the potential positive aspects of this identity state.
Which methodology is applied in the paper?
The paper uses a comparative literary analysis of the provided novel and screenplay, examining characters' behaviors and emotional conditions against their social and cultural backgrounds.
What topics are discussed in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the root causes of identity ambiguity, the specific struggles of the first and second immigrant generations, ethical/moral conflicts resulting from this state, and the positive functions of friendship.
Which keywords best describe this research?
Primary keywords include In-betweenness, Identity, Migration, Belonging, Multiculturalism, Generation Conflict, and Cultural Ambiguity.
How does "in-betweenness" affect the relationship between parents and their children?
It creates significant conflict as children, who feel at home in England, often rebel against their parents' attempts to preserve "home" traditions or enforce specific cultural roles.
Why are friendships considered a positive aspect of in-betweenness?
Friendships act as a "safe haven" where cultural, racial, and social differences become irrelevant, allowing characters to feel understood and to build support systems outside of their failing domestic environments.
How do characters like Samad and Omar handle their ambiguous status differently?
Samad struggles with guilt and rigid attempts to preserve his roots, often leading to personal frustration, whereas Omar, despite his own hidden struggles, manages to navigate the economic system by embracing his role as a businessman.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Elisabeth Werdermann (Autor:in), 2011, Identity in Zadie Smith's "White Teeth" and Hanif Kureishi's "My Beautiful Laundrette", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/172369
