The Namesake

In The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri, Gogol experiences a cultural identity crisis, which is displayed in his lifestyle and personality. Born in America of immigrant parents, Gogol wants to completely be in the American culture. He has a conflict with his Indian culture because of the traditions from his culture and the trips to Calcutta. Unfortunately, all the events that relate to his Indian culture do not help with his cultural identity. His parents hope that he would continue their Bengali heritage by keeping their traditions alive and marrying other Bengalis, however Gogol is reluctant to do so. Gogol changes his name, but he still feels as if he is truly not who he should be. Early in Gogol's life, he has an identity crisis. "Gogol

"He hates that his name is both absurd and obscure, that it has nothing to do with who he is (Lahiri 61)." Lahiri also implies that “it is neither Indian nor American but of all things Russian (Lahiri 61).” The name Gogol bothers him more for its cultural value. From this quote, it seems that Gogol wishes his name would either direct him down a path of loyalty to his parents’ culture or signify his ability make his own place in the world as an American. Gogol cannot fit in with the Indian culture his parents know because he was raised so far away from it. Even though his parents tried to keep him connected with their culture, Gogol was surrounded by American culture which inevitably helped to shape him into who he became. However, he is named after a Russian author, and remains lost between the two cultures. In result to this, he legally changes his name to Nikhil in a courthouse. Nikhil is then responsible for his only identity, an identity he always dreamed

Nikhil’s regret and guilt makes him recall all the times he spent in his past trying to defy his Bengali customs and the times he ran away from his identity. He wishes he did not leave his home away from family. This is definitely the turning point in Nikhil’s life because he realizes that what he calls friends would not be supportive as his father. His life gets a new direction with the death of his father. His father's cremation, the calls from relatives and friends of the message, the mourning period, and the feast on the last day of the period. All these events have given him a new understanding about himself. It is too late to reconnect with his dad, but it is not too late for him to learn about his Bengali culture. "Years later Gogol had learned the significance, that it was a Bengali son's duty to shave his head in the wake of his parent's death (Lahiri 179)." Nikhil realizes a family tradition has to be made reality and he has to shave his own head in mourning for a deceased father. Gogol chooses to continue this tradition as he shaves his head. This shows Gogol feel for family values even though he seems to not want to take part in his family's cultural