Cultural Identity in The Namesake
Aody Rafati
Dr. Jodi Melamed
Eng 2010
12/11/2014
Cultural Identity in The Namesake
The Namesake illustrates several elements of transition that are common to the stories of immigrant families and their children. As shown in the film, the first generation connects with their cultural identity and roots to a far greater degree and density than their children do. The second generation exists between two realities of culture including their ethnic heritage and the world they live in presently. There is a barrier between parents and first-generation American born children. Some immigrant families will not accept the fact that times are changing and they did not grow up in the same country, they have not faced the same struggles, or even began to realize how hard and much different America is than most other nations. Their children have access to many things at their age then the parents did. For example, in America, if Gogol wants to date, then he can date. Back home in India, dating is unacceptable and it is not as easy to maintain a girlfriend in India then it is here, in America. In this analysis of culture and identity, The Namesake will be depicted as an intellectual and an existing struggle for characters to establish their identity. In this film, adapted form a depiction of Bengali life in Western society, there are assorted scenes of emotional and relationship related issues that face the main characters. Focusing on the lives of Ashima and Ashoke in the western world including their son
Gogol, there is a clear contrast between the lifestyles and values upheld by both age groups. This not only contributes to the problems each experience in their journeys, but also the cultural identity that each establishes as their own. Each character presents significant transformation in these areas. The film The Namesake illustrates aspects of cultural identity and formation of specific personas through its storyline, character development and specific use of
Dr. Jodi Melamed
Eng 2010
12/11/2014
Cultural Identity in The Namesake
The Namesake illustrates several elements of transition that are common to the stories of immigrant families and their children. As shown in the film, the first generation connects with their cultural identity and roots to a far greater degree and density than their children do. The second generation exists between two realities of culture including their ethnic heritage and the world they live in presently. There is a barrier between parents and first-generation American born children. Some immigrant families will not accept the fact that times are changing and they did not grow up in the same country, they have not faced the same struggles, or even began to realize how hard and much different America is than most other nations. Their children have access to many things at their age then the parents did. For example, in America, if Gogol wants to date, then he can date. Back home in India, dating is unacceptable and it is not as easy to maintain a girlfriend in India then it is here, in America. In this analysis of culture and identity, The Namesake will be depicted as an intellectual and an existing struggle for characters to establish their identity. In this film, adapted form a depiction of Bengali life in Western society, there are assorted scenes of emotional and relationship related issues that face the main characters. Focusing on the lives of Ashima and Ashoke in the western world including their son
Gogol, there is a clear contrast between the lifestyles and values upheld by both age groups. This not only contributes to the problems each experience in their journeys, but also the cultural identity that each establishes as their own. Each character presents significant transformation in these areas. The film The Namesake illustrates aspects of cultural identity and formation of specific personas through its storyline, character development and specific use of
Cited: Idol Chatter,. '‘The Namesake ': A Journey Of Self Discovery '. N. p., 2014. Web. 13 Dec. 2014. Lawson, Dayo,. 'SELECTED QUOTES & PASSAGES: THE NAMESAKE BY JHUMPA LAHIRI « Dayo Lawson '. N. p., 2014. Web. 13 Dec. 2014.