Table of contentsIntroductionThe fluidity of names in “white teeth”The resistance of older generations to cultural changesThe adaptation of younger generations to multiculturalismNicknames as reflections of cultural disapproval names as symbols of institutional and cultural movementsConclusionIntroduction"White Teeth" delves deeper into the complex and multifaceted theme of cultural identity. In this novel, the quest for identity is an ever-present thread that runs through each character's life, forcing them to grapple with the profound question "Who am I?" » This exploration takes shape through their experiences with names, nicknames and epithets. Through these designations, Smith allows his characters to authentically examine, choose, or even deny their cultural identity. This essay will examine the rich tapestry of cultural identity in “White Teeth,” highlighting the evolution of names and their meaning across generations and individuals. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayThe Fluidity of Names in “White Teeth”The ever-changing nature of names in the novel reflects the fluidity of cultural identities and reflects how different the names are. generations perceive multiculturalism. For older generations, names and nicknames often pose a threat to the cultures they brought from their home countries. Kris Knauer's examination of intergenerational adaptation provides a valuable perspective for understanding these dynamics (Knauer 177-178). The older generation's resistance to cultural changes Samad Miah Iqbal, a character deeply rooted in the older generation, hails from a time when Bangladesh was still under British colonial rule. As a result, he experienced racial and cultural insensitivity from his British peers during his military service. His fellow soldiers, in an act of derogation, nickname him “Sultan,” emphasizing his status as an “other” within the British military hierarchy (Smith 73). In response, Samad responded with his own derogatory nickname, revealing the cultural insensitivity and ignorance of his comrades (73). These early interactions foreshadow the way Samad struggles with the concepts of multiculturalism and assimilation when he later immigrates to London. Samad's resistance to British culture is even more evident when his friend Archie attempts to foster camaraderie by addressing him with the more British-sounding nickname, "Sam." ". Samad vehemently rejects this overture, asserting his uniqueness and cultural separation from his British peers (94). He resists the idea that he could ever become one of Archie's "English companions" due to of the stark cultural and racial differences highlighted by his former nickname, "Sultan." Samad's experiences illustrate the challenges posed by entrenched notions of race and culture, as Nick Bentley explains in his essay on "Rewriting History." 'English' (499). The younger generation's adaptation to multiculturalism In contrast, the younger generation in 'White Teeth' displays a greater willingness to embrace British culture unlike their parents, who are more aware. concepts such as “otherness” and “difference,” characters like Irie and Samad’s children more easily navigate the terrain of hybridity and multiculturalism (Knauer 180). of Willesden Green, reflects this change by integrating 'difference' into the lived experience of the younger generation, thereby demonstrating changing attitudes to.