Jhumpa Lahiri, author of The Namesake, effectively exhibits the theme of the isolation experienced by immigrants assimilating into a new place and the exposure of two cultures, relative to how one's “home” reflects on their identity in the novel, The Namesake. This novel, where the setting is in both India and America which accompanies a Bengali family's attempts at assimilating within American culture, portrays this isolation theme throughout. Lahiri conveys this theme through her effective use of the characterisation of all of the characters, Ashima, Ashoke, and the children Gogol and Sonia, helping to develop each of their individual identities. As The Namesake, by Jhumpa Lahiri prevails, this symbol also helps develop their identities and reveals each of their own experiences in their assimilation to American culture.
The first example of isolation in The Namesake is through the character Ashima, after moving to America from Bengali. Bengali women have a belief that the showing of skin under the knees publically in any fashion is intolerable and the fact that the
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The quote states, “Nikhil, it wasn't the name he was born with.” (128). This shows how Gogol wants his real identity to be hidden because he doesn't know how others will react. Another way Gogol shows isolation through his identity is when his school principal asks if theres any other name he would like to go by, and Gogol shows pride with his name and sticks to it, keep in mind this is actually near the beginning when he is in kindergarten. The quote reads, “And what about you Gogol? Would you like to be called a different name?” (59). Previous to this altercation at the school, Gogols parents inform his teacher to call him Nikhil. Gogol makes the decision to just stick with Gogol but will later regret that choice and legally change his name to “Nikhil” like his parents originally