Week 12: On Beauty

In this week's discussion I'd like to focus on the cultural background of the novel. One of the most interesting characteristics of this novel is the way it indirectly parallels Zadie Smith's own life and background. It has also entered a sense of humor in the "race wars" of current culture in America and, because Smith is from Britain, she has the ability to write from an outside perspective.

Smith was born in britain to an English father and a Jamaican mother, not exactly the same as her English born children with an African American mother, but the cultural resemblance is still largely there. This mixed cultural background has similar effects on both families. While Zadie Smith was given her humorous approach to race, the Belsley's have become liberal, unlike the Kipps family, and each are able to express themselves individually, also unlike the Kipps family. This is well demonstrated by Jerome's stint as an intern in the Kipps household.

Because Smith grew up in a large household, which invariably led to her more laid back thinking style, she understands how "crazy" life can get and she gives that quality to the Besleys. With each their own thoughts and dreams, the Besley household may seem at times like they don't get along--and indeed sometimes they don't--but when it counts they all stick together. As a contrast, the Kipps family seems to work well on the outside, but inside it seems as though it may fall apart at any second.

What Smith does with On Beauty is exemplify the differences between white and african-american cultures--exemplified by Howard's occasional incomprehension of his son Levi and vice versa--while making them humorous at the same time. What Smith does is point out the differences while making them seem normal by using a mixed culture family, of which Smith has plenty of experience.

By being an English novelist writing about a largely american family, Smith removes herself from the realm of "serious" writing and into the realm of humor. She is able to write accurately about this family from her own stint in America, which lends a sense of reality to the book. This family, while being humorous, wins the hearts of the readers with it's internal struggles and has, therefore, become a wonderful example of a family instead of a collection of races. Smith has done her job well.