English & Literature

white teeth by Zadie smith

briefly explain the significance (for the main ideas of the work, not the plot) of what the speaker is saying in the quote below.

"Clean white teeth are not always wise, now are they? Par exemplum: when I was in the Congo, the only way I could identify the nigger was by the whiteness of his teeth, if you see what I mean."

Asked by lewinkler123 on 08 May 21:19

Last updated by Cat on 08 May 22:10

1 Answers

Answered by Cat on 08 May 22:10

This is Mr. Hamilton who seems preoccupied with teeth and also happens to be a complete racist. Mr. Hamilton represents Hamilton isn't a prevelent character in the story.