Penguin Reader Level 7: White Teeth Zadie Smith
Introduction
White Teeth is a novel by British author Zadie Smith, which was published in 2000. It was Smith's debut novel, and it quickly became a bestseller. The book is set in London, and it follows the lives of two families, the Iqbals and the Joneses, over the course of several decades. The book has been adapted for the stage and television, and it is widely regarded as a modern classic.
The Plot
The novel begins with a chance encounter between Archie Jones and Samad Iqbal, two World War II veterans, in a London bakery. The two men strike up a conversation, and Archie invites Samad to his daughter's wedding. The wedding sets off a chain of events that will have a profound impact on both families.
The novel follows the lives of the two families over the course of several decades, as they navigate issues of race, class, and identity in modern London. The Iqbals are Bangladeshi immigrants, and they struggle to find their place in a society that is often hostile to them. The Joneses, on the other hand, are white working-class Londoners, and they face their own struggles in a rapidly changing city.
The novel is divided into four sections, each of which focuses on a different character. The first section focuses on Archie Jones and his relationship with his first wife, Clara Bowden. The second section focuses on Samad Iqbal and his relationship with his family and his religion. The third section focuses on the children of the two families, and the fourth section brings all of the characters together in a dramatic finale.
The Themes
One of the central themes of the novel is the idea of identity. The characters in the book are all struggling to define themselves in a society that is constantly changing. They are all searching for a sense of belonging, and they are all trying to figure out who they are in relation to the world around them.
Another important theme is the tension between tradition and modernity. The Iqbals are deeply rooted in their Bangladeshi culture, and they struggle to maintain their traditions in a rapidly changing city. The Joneses, on the other hand, are more concerned with fitting in and keeping up with the latest trends. The tension between these two worldviews is a major source of conflict in the novel.
The Characters
The characters in the novel are all complex and multifaceted. Archie Jones is a lovable but flawed character who is trying to make sense of his life. Samad Iqbal is a proud man who is torn between his loyalty to his family and his desire to assimilate into British society. Clara Bowden is a strong and independent woman who refuses to be defined by her race or her gender. And the children of the two families are all struggling to find their place in the world.
The Writing Style
Zadie Smith's writing style is both witty and insightful. She has a gift for capturing the nuances of everyday life, and her characters are all richly drawn and believable. The book is also full of humor, and Smith has a knack for finding the absurdity in even the most serious situations.
The Penguin Reader Level 7 Edition
The Penguin Reader Level 7 edition of White Teeth is designed for students who are studying English as a second language. The book has been abridged and simplified, making it more accessible to non-native speakers. The vocabulary and grammar have also been carefully chosen to match the level of the reader.
The Penguin Reader Level 7 edition includes a number of features that make it an ideal choice for English language learners. The book includes footnotes that explain difficult words and phrases, as well as comprehension questions at the end of each chapter. There is also a glossary at the back of the book that provides definitions of key vocabulary.
Conclusion
White Teeth is a modern classic that explores themes of identity, tradition, and modernity in a rapidly changing city. The book is full of complex and multifaceted characters, and Zadie Smith's writing style is both witty and insightful. The Penguin Reader Level 7 edition of the book is an ideal choice for English language learners, as it has been abridged and simplified to make it more accessible to non-native speakers.
