1. English White Teeth (2000)

2. English culture, 1960s
Despite its actual ‘empire’ shrinking, England recovered by the 1960s to become an affluent nation and a fashion, music, and cultural trendsetter.

3. The British Invasion The Beatles Gerry & the Pacemakers
Spencer Davis Group
Rolling Stones
The Who
Led Zeppelin (4:30)

4. English culture, 1970s
The Sex Pistols
England was increasingly hurt by energy crises, labor strikes, violent conflicts with Ireland, and declining standards of living in the 1970s. One reaction was the ugly street-level subculture of punk, a reaction to the economic troubles of the younger generation.

5. English culture, 1980s
Economic recovery was slow, and England was increasingly split by a cultural conflict between conservative, traditional England (pro-Thatcher) and a new vibrant subculture of new wave and metal. Immigration was also making the country more ethnically diverse.
Human League Madness
Judas Priest Culture Club

6. English culture, 1990s
Although England had a revival of culture in the “Cool Brittania” movement of the late 90’s with bands like Oasis, The Spice Girls, and Robbie Williams, the 90’s were less economically or culturally eventful, though the country continued to become more multicultural through immigration.
Spice Girls

7. Zadie Smith (1975-) Jamaican mother, English father Cambridge graduate
From northwest London
Jamaican mother, English father
Cambridge graduate
White Teeth was first novel
Married with two children

8. White Teeth
What does it mean to be “English”? What does “white teeth” mean in the novel as a symbol?

9. White Teeth
How are Archie and Samad flawed people? What is the problem with “Chalfenism”? What is the novel saying about ethnic or racial identity? Is there “postmodernism” in the novel?