Centennial Honors College
Western Illinois University
Undergraduate Research Day 2014
Poster Presentation
Inheritance and Influence in Zadie Smith’s White Teeth
Christina Sanders Ring
Faculty Mentor: Everett Hamner
English
The boundaries between fiction and nonfiction have been perforated. Science has
become an increasingly more prevalent element in the architecture of fiction, infusing
life into concepts and procedures that might otherwise seem dry to the layman. This
“scientific fiction” is not to be confused with “science fiction” proper. Termed “slipstream
science fiction,” such novels, short stories, films, and television series are sciencedriven in a way that is not only accessible, but also appealing and engaging for readers
who shy away from non-fiction and hard science. Slipstream is more likely to be shelved
with literary fiction than sci-fi, and within its pages, the reader finds an examination of
the human condition (with or without the aliens and spaceships).
One such novel is Zadie Smith’s White Teeth, which offers a blend of scientific reality
and artistic nuance to examine—among other things—the question of genetics and
biology versus culture and environment as influencers of individual personality and
preferences. Could we say (just for fun, of course) that the “D” in “DNA” stands for
“destiny” or “decision?” It’s certainly no strange topic for debate, and Smith’s first novel
begs further discussion of the overlap between social and behavioral science and
genetics. This paper focuses on the youngest generation in the novel: the biracial Irie
Jones, raised by decidedly non-religious and relatively progressive parents; Joshua
Chalfen, white and privileged son of scientists; and identical twins Magid and Millat
Iqbal, sons of a traditional Muslim couple. Taken together, these characters weave a
fascinating tapestry of the varying effects of genetic and cultural inheritance.