While reading White Teeth I could not help but notice the difference between the three female character, Alsana, Neena, and Clara. They are not native Britons and are trying to fit into a new world. What I find so very interesting is the ways in which they are trying to fit in. During the scene on the park bench it becomes more obvious about their different characters and how they view the world. They all grew up in very religious houses were "God appeared at every meal, infiltrated every childhood game" yet they all behave very differently (Smith 65). Clara has chosen to shed herself of her mother's undying faith but has not given up faith altogether. She is sort of at an in between moment in her life where she is deciding who she is and what she believes in. Alsana has chosen to stick strictly to her faith and this carries over into her marriage. She tells the other women that while her marriage may have been arranged that is the way she prefers it. She is simply a wife and does not need to be anything more nor know anything more about her husband. Alsana wants to stick to the traditions of her culture and not explore the world around her. She will not even watch scenes in movies where there is a suggestion of nudity. People do not need to know these things about other people, especially husbands and wives. Her husband does not even come to her doctor appointments with her because "a husband needn't be involved in body business, in a lady's…parts" (Smith 63). Even though, as Neena points out, he had to be involved in some respect for her to be pregnant. Neena, on the other hand, seems to be embracing the modern life openly. Upon our first introduction to Neena we get a glimpse of her modern personality by her "dyed blond bangs" that she had to move out of her eyes (Smith 53). We also see this in her choice of books that she lends Clara as she tries to "rid Clara of her 'false consciousness'" (Smith 66). All three women are around the same age yet act very different from each other. I am curious to see how these characters develop throughout the course of the novel.
It almost feels like there is a power struggle between the three women in some ways. The fact that Alsana never even calls Neena her name shows that to some extent. She sees herself as superior to her. The way that she gives Clara advice seems to show her assumption that she is smarter and better than her as well. Her tone of conversation is very condescending and as if she sees herself as all knowing. But neither Neena nor Clara seem to passively submit to the idea that Alsana is their better, but in very subtle ways. Neena will say something against her, like her comment on the fact if she was pregnant with a boy she would have an abortion. But as soon as she discovers that she offened Alsana in any way, she apologizes strongly and tries to get Alsana to be happy with her again. So I see the possibility of a bit of a power struggle developing between these three women as the novel progresses. It will be interesting to see if it develops at all or if I am just reading something into their relationship that isn’t there and will be proven wrong at the end. We must read on to discover…
ReplyDeleteThe name "Niece-of-Shame" is a powerful one. The idea of shame ties into Alsana's view of Neena, but also gets thrown back in her face as Neena observes that it is a "shame that you're going to have boys" (66). The concept of shame (coincidentally also the title of another Salman Rushdie novel, exploring similar themes of societal outsiders, set in Pakistan) suggests a norm that is not being adhered to. In the same sense as our class discussion on Orientalism, shame is a symbol of a one-sided world view. In the case of Neena, it is Alsana's view that she is rejecting her traditional role. On the other hand, Neena views men as shameful because they "caused enough chaos this century" (66). The effect of shame is to make the "other" feel out of place. Both Neena and Alsana try to shame each other into accepting a new ideology. However, shame can be dangerous as a weapon to change minds, as societal shame comes at the risk of blinding ideology. (Mark Twain makes a similar argument in Huck Finn, when Jim chastises Huck for tricking him, he calls him "trash" for making his friend "ashamed.") Both women have become blinded by their ideologies, giving each a sense of superiority.
ReplyDeleteHad it not been stated in the book that they were all close in age, I would have never guessed Alsana was as young as the other two ladies. Alsana has a strict dedication to her religion which makes her speech and opinions feel decades older than that of Clara or the niece. She is so strong yet this strength works against her in so many ways. Though all of the characters seem to be outsiders, I can’t help but see Alsana as the ultimate outsider. She does not try to fit or change from her past but continues to live it to the fullest even though she is living in England. She does everything she can to please her husband even if she does not agree. You have Clara, who has decided to go against the beliefs of her upbringing, and Alsana who had decided to follow hers to the T. Interestingly enough they both happen to be in the same situation. Neither is fully happy and both settled with what they have. We’re walking two entirely different paths that lead to the same result. So if going left or right lead to wrong, did these ladies have a third path choice or not? Sounds like a boobie trap to me.
ReplyDeleteWhat's interesting about this dynamic is that Rushdie doesn't let any of these characters have easy answers so to speak. Alsana may hold her moral/traditional superiority over Neena, but she still brings her husband's worn out shoes to her for fixing -- indicating that Alsana is dependent on Neena in some ways.
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