Identity and Multiculturalism in Zadie Smith's The Autograph Man

This article focuses on Zadie Smith’s The Autograph Man in an attempt to see whether Smith is for the multiculturalist discourse or criticizes it. To this end، two major themes of “identity” and “space” are examined. It is argued that Smith offers a counter-narrative to oppose rather than support multiculturalism. In fact، what is known as multiculturalist aspects of Smith’s work is just a mere reflection of the hybrid، postmodern world. By foregrounding the role of capital، race، religion، and gender، Smith tries to unmask the very policy this discursive practice tries to hide. She attempts to expose multiculturalism as a kind of “micro-colonialism” or a new version of capitalist imperialism by casting light on contradictions inherent in it. However، this is complicated by the fact that Smith herself is by and large under the impact of liberal humanism which has affected multiculturalism in different ways.