In Zadie Smith’s White Teeth, the characters all have various backgrounds and characteristics that make them very diverse; however, everyone shares a commonality: teeth. As hinted by the title, teeth play a significant role in Smith’s novel and make appearances throughout the novel. I argue that Smith uses teeth to represent one’s identity and their history. Through this identity, teeth show the conflict the characters have with having control over their identity and the fate their pasts have already dictated. When Clara loses her teeth, it symbolizes the loss of her identity as a Jehovah’s Witness and the reinvention of herself. In Chapter 2, humorously titled “Teething Troubles,” the narrator discusses the transition of Clara from an obedient
…show more content…
We’re not like the lower animals — teeth replaced regularly and all that — we’re of the mammals, you see. And mammals only get two chances, with teeth.... Because they’re your father’s teeth, you see, wisdom teeth are passed down by the father, I’m certain of it. So you must be big enough for them. God knows, I wasn’t big enough for mine. (144-145)
Smith’s usage of “regularly” and “chances” shows that the like one’s teeth, fate is permanent. This mindset is what causes fear for Samad. To illustrate, when Samad is spending time with
“Samad opened his eyes and saw quite clearly by the bandstand his two sons, their white teeth biting into two waxy apples, waving, smiling” (152). Smith places emphasis on teeth through the boys’ actions of “biting” and “smiling.” The focus on the boys’ “white teeth” and the actions associated with them demonstrates Samad’s similar rationale to Mr. Hamilton. He does not want his sons to make the same mistakes as him such as his struggling with masturbation and cheating on their mother. However, the boys have his teeth, and as Mr. Hamilton confidently pointed out, the teeth “are passed down by the father,” which they unknowingly taunt him with through their smiles. The children are linked to their father through their teeth because their teeth are carriers of his …show more content…
That didn't mean he could live by them, abide by them, or grow in the manner they demanded, but roots were roots and roots were good. You would get nowhere telling him that weeds too have tubers, or that the first sign of loose teeth is something rotten, something degenerate, deep within the gums. Roots were what saved, the ropes one throws out to rescue drowning men, to Save Their Souls. And the further Samad himself floated out to sea, pulled down to the depths by a siren named Poppy Burt-Jones, the more determined he became to create for his boys roots on shore, deep roots that no storm or gale could displace. Easier said than done.
We’re not like the lower animals — teeth replaced regularly and all that — we’re of the mammals, you see. And mammals only get two chances, with teeth.... Because they’re your father’s teeth, you see, wisdom teeth are passed down by the father, I’m certain of it. So you must be big enough for them. God knows, I wasn’t big enough for mine. (144-145)
Smith’s usage of “regularly” and “chances” shows that the like one’s teeth, fate is permanent. This mindset is what causes fear for Samad. To illustrate, when Samad is spending time with
“Samad opened his eyes and saw quite clearly by the bandstand his two sons, their white teeth biting into two waxy apples, waving, smiling” (152). Smith places emphasis on teeth through the boys’ actions of “biting” and “smiling.” The focus on the boys’ “white teeth” and the actions associated with them demonstrates Samad’s similar rationale to Mr. Hamilton. He does not want his sons to make the same mistakes as him such as his struggling with masturbation and cheating on their mother. However, the boys have his teeth, and as Mr. Hamilton confidently pointed out, the teeth “are passed down by the father,” which they unknowingly taunt him with through their smiles. The children are linked to their father through their teeth because their teeth are carriers of his …show more content…
That didn't mean he could live by them, abide by them, or grow in the manner they demanded, but roots were roots and roots were good. You would get nowhere telling him that weeds too have tubers, or that the first sign of loose teeth is something rotten, something degenerate, deep within the gums. Roots were what saved, the ropes one throws out to rescue drowning men, to Save Their Souls. And the further Samad himself floated out to sea, pulled down to the depths by a siren named Poppy Burt-Jones, the more determined he became to create for his boys roots on shore, deep roots that no storm or gale could displace. Easier said than done.