Two important sociological concepts used by Pierre Bourdieu are Capital and Habitus. In Bourdieu’s words, cultural capital are things like one’s tastes, desires, interests, and beliefs that one acquires through being in a particular social class. Sharing these different tastes and likes with someone of the same social class develops a sense of collective identity.
Bourdieu furthers this concept of Capital with his concept of Habitus. Habitus refers to the physical embodiment of cultural capital and the deeply-engrained habits and dispositions one has due to being part of a particular class. An example of Capital and Habitus would be having street smarts to navigate a crime-ridden neighborhood. An individual who isn’t a part of the same city would not have the same cultural capital or Habitus as an individual who is part of that community.
“Her teeth were long and curved, like a horse’s; people said babies always cried if she smiled at them.”
Throughout the novel, we see instances of Jim’s own dispositions towards different things in contrast to Antonia. For instance, we see Jim’s cultural capital when talking about the Cutters. His cultural capital differs greatly from that of the Cutters, noting how Mrs. Cutter’s teeth being long and curved. Jim shares his dispositions throughout the novel.
“I can’t believe it’s you, sitting here, in my own kitchen. You wouldn’t have known me, would you, Jim? You’ve kept so young, yourself. But it’s easier for a man. I can’t see how my Anton looks any older than the day I married him. His teeth have kept so nice. I haven’t got many left. But I feel just as young as I used to, and I can do as much work. Oh, we don’t have to work so hard now! We’ve got plenty to help us, papa and me. And how many have you got, Jim?”
Cather uses teeth throughout the novel to develop a sense of Habitus. He does this several times through the novel.
“The door from the office opened, and Johnnie Gardener came in, directing Blind d’Arnault–he would never consent to be led. He was a heavy, bulky mulatto, on short legs, and he came tapping the floor in front of him with his gold-headed cane. His yellow face was lifted in the light, with a show of white teeth, all grinning, and his shrunken, papery eyelids lay motionless over his blind eyes.”
Sociological Analysis of My Antonia 