The Namesake Analysis
Knowledge and perception are key factors in how things are interpreted. They can be the difference between understanding and being perplexed. In the novel, The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri, Gogol seems to go through identity issues with his name. He struggles to find meaning in his name but as the years pass, he starts to understand his namesake through being able to accept his name himself. Although Ashima and Ashoke move to America, they seem to try to raise Gogal in their Indian culture unaware that Gogol will have to blend both being American and Indian. The first instance where Gogol seems to reject his name is in kindergarten. Here Ashoke calls Gogol by his good name over Gogol The secretary Mrs.Lapides asks Gogol, “Do you want to be
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Nikhil believes he knows all there is to name assuming that his father is going to tac about the author again but he his naive. After all these years he finally understands why he is called Gogol. Ashoka’s trauma is great but he tells Gogol, “You remind me of everything that followed” (Ch5 P124)> Gogol is the light that brings away the darkness from the past. It explains why Ashoke did not mind Gogol changing his name, for what made Gogol happy was enough for Gogol was mislead his entire life. Because he liked the knowledge he could not understand his namesake. This explains why he disliked his name so much. Because he could not make any correlation, his name to him had no sentimental value. From this information Gogol is finally able to connect all the missing dots. In the end Gogol believes, “There is no such thing as a perfect name. I think that humans beings should be allowed to name themselves when they turn eighteen.” (Ch10 p. 245) Gogol believes pronouns are appropriate until one is mature enough to name themselves. He believes this because it was he who kept questions and was lost. People find their own meaning to their lives but Gogol was lost from being unsure until all the knowledge he had made sense. Life is about self discovery and not a journey made by someone else. Gogol lived his lief and while cleaning out his room,
Nikhil believes he knows all there is to name assuming that his father is going to tac about the author again but he his naive. After all these years he finally understands why he is called Gogol. Ashoka’s trauma is great but he tells Gogol, “You remind me of everything that followed” (Ch5 P124)> Gogol is the light that brings away the darkness from the past. It explains why Ashoke did not mind Gogol changing his name, for what made Gogol happy was enough for Gogol was mislead his entire life. Because he liked the knowledge he could not understand his namesake. This explains why he disliked his name so much. Because he could not make any correlation, his name to him had no sentimental value. From this information Gogol is finally able to connect all the missing dots. In the end Gogol believes, “There is no such thing as a perfect name. I think that humans beings should be allowed to name themselves when they turn eighteen.” (Ch10 p. 245) Gogol believes pronouns are appropriate until one is mature enough to name themselves. He believes this because it was he who kept questions and was lost. People find their own meaning to their lives but Gogol was lost from being unsure until all the knowledge he had made sense. Life is about self discovery and not a journey made by someone else. Gogol lived his lief and while cleaning out his room,