本篇論文認為二次大戰戰後新移民所遭遇到的社會困境及內心衝突為英國當代小說《白牙》探討的主要課題。《白牙》的評論多聚焦闡述種族關係和移民身分認同議題，本文則擬深化討論向度，不僅以身分建構做為主要論述，更從世代與性別兩個角度切入，一方面探討第二代移民如何因身處兩個文化中而以模仿西方文化或捍衛自身傳統來解決自身的身分危機，另一方面則探究新移民女性在社會上及家庭生活中所受到的壓迫，以及他們所面對的身分認同之危機。
首章分析第一代移民歷經戰後遷徙後，在英國所面臨到的瓶頸及嘗試解決身分危機的過程。在這一章中，我也從女性主義的觀點探討了新移民女性所面臨到的雙重壓迫。這類型的女性不只須忍受種族歧視的眼光，更深受父權制度的壓迫而無法為自己發聲，因而使她們在身分建構上更具挑戰性。第二章以第一代移民的子女為主軸，討論第二代移民雖在英國主流文化下成長，但仍受到西方文化的排斥及邊緣化，導致他們陷入身分困惑。他們就如同變色龍般必須學會如何透過吸收或模仿而融入環境。不論是西化還是回歸傳統，都顯現出身分的揉雜性在多元文化的趨勢下是無可避免的。第三章論述對阿奇的宿命論和未來鼠的關係，本章節透過角色對於命運的看法來分析宿命論及決定論如何影響身分的建構。本文的結語部分得出多元化已是一個趨勢，在身分建構的過程中，唯有以更寬容的態度來看待不同種族和文化，才能跳脫原本的身分框架，進而實現多元文化共存。

This thesis will conduct a close reading of Zadie Smith’s White Teeth to explore the social dilemmas and conflicts encountered by post-war immigrants. Most critics who analyze White Teeth tend to focus on racial and identity issues. This thesis will not only discuss the identity construction of immigrants, but examine the oppression female immigrants suffer in both the public and the private spheres, both of which contribute to the ambiguity of their identities. Given that the second generation immigrants are caught at a juncture between two different cultures, their responses in attempting to solve this identity crisis is to either mimic western culture or staunchly defend their native cultures and traditions. Through analysis of the responses of the main characters in White Teeth, the thesis will explore how immigrants of color confront social problems and the strategies they adopt in seeking out and understanding their identities.
Chapter One will discuss the first generation immigrant’s social dilemmas in England. Samad, a Bangladeshi immigrant treats his religion and culture as the means of constructing his identity; consequently, he expects his son to maintain his roots by embracing his culture or by returning to his homeland. Chapter Two will focus on the second generation immigrants. Though the younger generation is raised within the mainstream culture of England, they still suffer marginalization and social exclusion. The immigrants act like social chameleons that must adapt and camouflage themselves in order to fit into (or hide) as a means of survival within this predominantly white society. Irie’s attempt at inclusion tends to revolve around impersonating western culture. Millat, on the other hand, with his distorted religious beliefs, still considers his religion an integral part of his identity. Whether the characters choose to be westernized, or return to their homeland or the culture of their origins, it suggests that the hybridity of their identity not only is inescapable but is becoming a norm within a multicultural society. Chapter Three will discuss the relationship between Archie and the FutureMouse. By analyzing some characters’ perspectives on fate, this chapter will show how fatalism and determinism affect the construction of identity. In the conclusion the thesis will argue that the development of multiculturalism is inevitable and that, in terms of identity construction, there must be both sympathy and understanding when dealing with diverse cultures and identities.

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