In White Teeth, Zadie Smith really does represent the theory of "traditional historical approach", because of her representations of not only the historical aspects of what it was like to me an "immigrant", but slang that is used during these times. I tried to look up more specific quotations of slang used in the novel, but I did not find much. I think that a lot of the slang used is not only British slang, but also
*I use the term loosely, Clara and Irie are not really immigrants but descendants of immigrants.
2 comments:
I definitely agree with your statement that most of the slang originates out of British slang and historical practices. Early in the novel when the children are walking along the street they play a game in which they point and say "tax that" in order to claim any item for themselves. Smith here notes that, "The practice of 'taxing' was something, whereby one lays claim, like a newly arrived colonizer, to items in a street that do not belong to you, was well known and beloved to both of them" (140).
I tried to find more info on "pickney", but couldn't find much of a definition besides "a child". I am just wondering where you found that "pickney" had a negative meaning?
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