Monday, April 28, 2008
Where you belong in society and White Teeth
Marxism points out that the literary works of the author is not different from the issues taking place in society because “Marxism expands the traditional, historical approach to literary analysis by dealing with sociological issues that concern both the characters in a work of fiction as well as the authors and the readers (Bressler, 195).” people are divided by race and gender yes but what truly divides them is class. An area of a life that determines where you stand in society based on your possession/standing. Take Samad for example a scientist (middle class) in his past country but a waiter in is new country. He is a husband looking for outside fulfillment and father disappointed in his son for wanting change and getting change. This change shown by Magid represents what Bressler points out as “false consciousness, the way that the dominant social class shapes and controls each person’s self-definition and class consciousness (Bressler, 194).” Magid and Millat’s refused to be repressed, they wanted out of the ideology that once you’re in a certain class you’re stuck there and you’re to follow in his father’s footsteps. Magid represents the striving class wanting more than what is in front of them.
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3 comments:
I think you bring up an important idea here with the "false consciousness" and the challenges that Samad is facing with his new position of "working class" via his job as a waiter. I think you could even make the argument that Poppy represents Samad's desire for a change in his life the elevated social status, and that her appearance at the restaurant really establishes, despite his rejection of her, her dominance socially over him.
exactly, Magid is shaped by the society he growed in. i mean if you remember when Magid took a picture taking an award or something, Samad was not happy about that. He was upset because he did not expected that from Magid. He wanted Magid to learn His religion. Thus, i agree to the Marxist and you that society controls each person's consciousness.
Samad faces a problem that most immigrants face, their children are no longer a part of their “culture” they adopt the cultures of the world around them, as the twins are reared apart they adopt different cultures, As Magid remains home, he is not only constantly reminded that his brother was the son chosen to go learn the ways of his family, he is rejected in a way by his father, as well as his brother for going. From a psychological point of view, this really could be the reason that Magid becomes such a radical person. As his brother, who feels like he is being forced into a world that he did not grow up in, and in away being pushed backwards, from a less religious place (for his culture) to a place where it will practically be shoved down his throat, he too rebels, and goes against his family. You really cant blame them for being put into a bad situation and making the best out of it with the little knowledge and experience that they had at the time.
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