Intergenerational Conflicts and Acculturation in Zadie Smith’s White Teeth and Gautam Malkani’s Londonstani

This article examines the representation of acculturation and intergenerational conflict in multicultural British fiction through a comparative reading of Zadie Smith’s White Teeth and Gautam Malkani’s Londonstani. Drawing on John Berry’s acculturation theory and postcolonial perspectives, the research examines how first- and second-generation characters navigate competing cultural values, highlighting the emotional and psychological costs of adaptation. The study employs qualitative textual analysis, with a focus on key scenes that depict family tensions and cultural negotiations. The findings reveal that White Teeth primarily emphasizes conflicts between parents and children, illustrating how generational divides reflect broader societal struggles over identity and belonging. In contrast, Londonstani examines how youth peer groups and subtle linguistic practices either reinforce or challenge the cultural dynamics of identity and belonging. Together, the two novels demonstrate that acculturation is not a linear process of assimilation but an ongoing negotiation shaped by power, tradition, and resistance. This research contributes to contemporary scholarship on diasporas and multiculturalism by offering insights into how literature reflects and critiques the lived realities of migration in modern Britain. These findings may also inform future research on the psychological and cultural challenges faced by immigrant families as they navigate intergenerational conflict and acculturation