The Namesake

The Namesake a novel by Jhumpa Lahiri, tells the story of a young boy who battles with himself, trying to figure out who he is culturally and in general. The boy’s name is Gogol or Nikhil Gunguli, he was born in Massachusetts, alought born in America his parents come from India. His parents come from India, as they are new to America, Ashima struggles through language and cultural barriers as well as her own fears as she delivers her first child alone. After he is born, his name is still un decided, because the letter from Ashima’s grandmother containing the name for the newborn boy has yet to come. But they soon discover that they cannot leave the hospital without giving their son a legal name. So Ashoke recommends the name Gogol in memory

Though the pet name has deep significance for the baby's parents, it is never intended to be used by anyone other than family. Gogol turns 14, he has developed a disliking for his unique name “Gogol. The same night, he receives a gift from his father, it's the Overcoat by Nikolai Gogol, Gogol Gunguli is very displeased with the gift as he doesn’t like his name and the namesake behind it. As the years do by from the day of his 14th birthday Gogol becomes very unhappy with his name and overall who he is as a person. He graduates high school, deciding on Yale as the college he plans on attending, the summer before his first semester at Yale he legally changed his name to Nikhil, despite his parents interests. But as the months go, he both geographically and emotionally separates himself from his parents, he wants to be American, not

When they get home a freighting day, Ashoke finally explains the true significance of Gogol's name. Gogol is unsettled by this news, asking his father why he didn't tell him this earlier. Gogol/ Nikhil now knowing this, starts to regret changing his name and his identity. This conversation with Ashoke ultimately changed Gogol, it may have not been shown right way, but he develops respect for the name and is more or less happy it was given to him. Later in the novel Ashoke dies of a heart attack while in Ohio, so Gogol travels to gather his father's belongings and his father's ashes, and gives Gogol time to conceptualize his emotions. This experience for Gogol resulted in being with his mother and sister; Sonia more. He goes to his mother's Bengali parties, and Ashima suggests that Gogol contact Moushumi, the daughter of one of her friends. Gogol is quite reluctant to meet her because she is Bengali and he has never actually dated someone who has the same ethnic background. On their first date Moushumi and Gogol are attracted to one another, and Gogol is happy that he listened to him mother as he begins to fall in love with