The novel details instances of microaggressions that Samad experiences over several decades. Systemic racism greatly impacts the Iqbals’ lives, starting with Samad, who, though educated and accomplished-having fought for the British Army in World War II-is unable to find employment in London that is more advanced or lucrative than serving as a waiter in a curry house. Although these pernicious racial divisions abounding in late 20th-century England will be challenging to dismantle, the novel provides some hope for a peaceful multicultural world through the younger generation of Londoners, who form positive relationships with each other. In charting the microaggressions that many of its non-white characters face, the novel suggests that racism is deeply embedded in British culture. The Bowdens and Iqbals are recent immigrants, while Archie Jones and the Chalfen family are more established Britons who benefit from their status as “authentic” white English nationals. White Teeth focuses on the lives of Londoners of different ethnicities and class positions, with distinct cultural backgrounds and relationships to their British identities.
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