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The Namesake

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Recommended: Identity topic in literature

The Namesake revolves around the story of Gogol Ganguli, the American-born child of an Indian couple who immigrated to the US in 1968. The novel starts with Gogol’s birth in a New England hospital and follows his life until he is thirty-two years old. The central theme around which the story evolves is Gogol’s rejection of the name his parents gave him. His struggle with coming to terms with his unfortunate name subliminally corrupts his life, even after he has decided to change it. The novel gives not only insight into Gogol’s coming-of-age as a second-generation Bengali, but also features parts of the lives of his parents, Ashima and Ashoke, his sister Sonia and his wife Moushumi who also experience identity issues, mostly
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Gogol, the son of Ashima and Ashoke, was born in America and spends the first half of his life trying to run away from his Bengali roots. Although Gogol does not feel as lost and detached as his parents in America, he has a difficult time trying to balance the Bengali culture he was born into as well as the American culture he sees and experiences all around him as he is growing up. Throughout the novel, The Namesake, Gogol struggles to develop his identity due to the clashing of Bengali and American culture in his life. Gogol’s first obstacle in his search for self-identity occurs only a couple days after his birth, when his parents must decide on a name in order to be released from the hospital. Ashima and Ashoke eventually decide on Gogol, after the writer who saved Ashoke’s life during a train crash.

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In addition, immigrants may face the loss of identity. The book started from the day Gogol was in Ashima’s womb to the day he wonders about his identity at the age of 32.

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In the novel The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri there are many relationships portrayed throughout the story. Ashoke and Ashima’s relationship doesn’t show their affection for each other. Gogol had three serious relationships with Ruth, Maxine and Moushumi one of which he ended up marrying. His relationship with Maxine was strong because he was very close with her and her family. Gogol’s relationship with Moushumi was based on secrets and their way of not being more open with each other.

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Have you ever found yourself, yet lost yourself? That question may be a mouthful but think about it. Have you ever steered off of who you are and the discovered a whole new side of yourself? In The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri, the main character, Gogol, maintains two identities as Gogol, linking back to his past, and Nikhil, which develops as he grows up. Gogol is more family oriented and more true to Indian culture, while Nikhil follows the “American” way by showing independence and rebellion.

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