Pressure, And Expectation In The Namesake

Force, pressure, and expectations are some of the things that Gogol endures in "The Namesake". In the story, Gogol is about to start kindergarten but he has conflicting feelings because his parents have told him he will use a new name which he doesn’t want. The characterization of Ashoke and Mrs. Lapidus is of extreme importance to the plot and Gogol, due to the conflicts between the two in front of Gogol about his name.

At the start of the story, when Gogol walks into Mrs. Lapidus's office with his mother to talk about his enrollment, there is a clear conflict about what he should be called in school. Gogol's mother states that he wants his name to be "Nikhil" because they come from a different country and want him to fit in with the other kids. His parents say “it's a part of growing up”(2), while Gogol doesn't necessarily dislike it, but he doesn’t prefer it over his regular name, which is made clear later in the story. The two bicker for a while, and Gogol stands there quietly, not voicing his opinion.

Lapidus in the office, Mrs. Lapidus begins to talk to Gogol directly about his name and what his mother wants him to be called versus what he wants. After confirming what he wants to be called, Gogol finally speaks out saying he wants his name to be Gogol “and what about you, Gogol? Do you want to be called by another name…… he nods “yes”.” (31-35) Now after confirming, Mrs. Lapidus knows that he usually conforms to his mother's wants and not his own, but once she leaves, he is able to freely voice his own