The Namesake Essay
Moving to a different country is never easy and author Jhumpa Lahiri captures this struggle in the astounding book, The Namesake. Her words perfectly emulate the struggles each main character— Ashoke, Ashima and Gogol face. This book is written in a third person omniscient view which enables readers to look into the intimate thoughts of each character, and how they individually handle their ability to balance the Bengali and American culture. Each character’s journey to conform is unique, making their personal growth different.
Throughout the book, Ashoke clings to his Bengali roots, even when he is a college student at MIT. His college experience greatly contrasts Gogol’s. Ashoke's ordeal through the train accident and temporary paralysis …show more content…
Before his death, Ashoke moved to Ohio for a job opportunity and would come home every other weekend to spend time with his wife. During his absence, Ashima learns how to live alone and even has her first job in the United States in the public library. She comes to realize that out of his love for her, he moved to Cleveland to teach her “how to live alone” (183). Ashoke and Gogol have a close relationship and his father’s death knocks sense into him and he wants to return “home.” He ends his relationship with Maxine and later accepts his mother’s idea to meet with a childhood acquaintance, Moushumi, in hopes to go “home” to his roots. Despite having her own demons from her previous relationship, Gogol discovers a sense of belonging by being beside her and is able to return to his roots to learn how to appreciate his name and father even more.
Despite the difficulties each character faced in the life in America, they each developed in their own distinct way. Lahiri showcases the struggles immigrant families face and how they want to assimilate to the new society they are in while trying to maintain their roots. It is a difficult journey yet a rewarding one. Lahiri captured the essence of immigration by showcasing the lives of the Gangulis and how each character
Throughout the book, Ashoke clings to his Bengali roots, even when he is a college student at MIT. His college experience greatly contrasts Gogol’s. Ashoke's ordeal through the train accident and temporary paralysis …show more content…
Before his death, Ashoke moved to Ohio for a job opportunity and would come home every other weekend to spend time with his wife. During his absence, Ashima learns how to live alone and even has her first job in the United States in the public library. She comes to realize that out of his love for her, he moved to Cleveland to teach her “how to live alone” (183). Ashoke and Gogol have a close relationship and his father’s death knocks sense into him and he wants to return “home.” He ends his relationship with Maxine and later accepts his mother’s idea to meet with a childhood acquaintance, Moushumi, in hopes to go “home” to his roots. Despite having her own demons from her previous relationship, Gogol discovers a sense of belonging by being beside her and is able to return to his roots to learn how to appreciate his name and father even more.
Despite the difficulties each character faced in the life in America, they each developed in their own distinct way. Lahiri showcases the struggles immigrant families face and how they want to assimilate to the new society they are in while trying to maintain their roots. It is a difficult journey yet a rewarding one. Lahiri captured the essence of immigration by showcasing the lives of the Gangulis and how each character