Formation of Identity through Acculturation: A Comparative Study of Smith’s White Teeth and Adichie’s Americanah

Abstract

This research work examines the relationships between acculturation and identity formation in Zadie Smith’s White Teeth and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Americanah. The narrative unfolds the experience of first and second generation immigrants in new cultural locations of England and America.White Teeth narrates the story of Samad, an immigrant from Bangladesh who migrates to London and becomes an Englishman being influenced by British culture but ultimately turns to his own Islamic culture. Samad’s son Magid born in England, follows British culture but the experience of discrimination makes him realize his ‘otherness’ in British society. Americanah projects the story of Ifemelu, a teenager from Nigeria who migrates to the United States to pursue her study. In her attempt to assimilate herself into American society, she begins following American culture and values. Later on, she returns to her own country Nigeria due to the experience of racism in America. Ifemelu’s cousin Dike also undergoes the experience of racial discrimination in America. Due to the lack of connection to the cultural root, he lives an in-between life. To examine these issue of acculturation in the novels, the research work blends the concept of acculturation, acculturation strategies and acculturation stress as developed by John W. Berry, David L. Sam and others. Similarly, the concept of culture and identity is elaborated with reference to Stuart Hall’s notion of cultural identity. Likewise, Homi K. Bhabha’s concept of mimicry is taken into consideration to examine the in-between state of the second generation immigrants in the novels.