Gogol's Name And Identity In 'The Namesake'

Immigrants struggle both culturally and socially as they adapt to the new society in which they are living in. Knowing who they are and where they're from is essential to an individual's identity, and plays a significant role throughout one's life. The significance of both name and identity is evident in “The Namesake” as it is applicable to all characters throughout the book. In particular, the character, Gogol Ganguli, which the book is based around, is born in America to Bengali parents, who immigrated from India. Gogol's confusion over his cultural identity impacts his life choices, consequently, impacting the connection he has with his family.

Bengali culture dictates that every new born should be given two names, a pet name, and a good name. The pet name is to be used
The first instance of this is during junior year at high school where he's assigned Nikolai Gogol's “The Overcoat” for his English class assignment, where his classmates laugh and tease him about the name. On Gogol's fourteenth birthday, he isolates himself whilst listening to the Beatles, an album given to him by his American friends. Gogol is uninterested in the gifts given to him by his Indian family members which is a personification of the Western culture that he has immersed himself with. Whilst hidden in his room, Gogol is interrupted by Ashoke who brings him a special gift, “The Short Stories of Nikolai Gogol” a book which is very important to Ashoke but means nothing to his son. Gogol has never understood the true origins of his name. Gogol's feelings towards his name have changed drastically as he battles within himself to form an identity. The name feels like an obstacle, detrimental towards his development and limiting his ability to talk to girls, something which he values of great importance, certainly much more than the thoughtful gifts given to him by his family on his