People thirst to discover their identity. Most will believe that they discovered and made their identity, but they didn’t. In Hal Borland’s “When The Legends Die”, It shows how a young indian boy’s (Thomas Black Bull) identity changes throughout his miserable life. Identities are formed more by society than by their owners.
Throughout literature the constant theme of identity has been explored, with Northrop Frye even suggesting “the story of the loss and regaining of identity is, I think, the framework for all literature.” For characters, true identity isn’t always apparent, it needs to be searched for. Sometimes the inner struggle for identity stems from ones need for belonging. Whether one finds their sense of identity within friends, family, or in a physical “home”. It’s not always a place that defines identity.
In the book Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison names are an important aspect to the story. Milkman, Guitar, Pilate, and Macon Dead all describe in great detail the way they receive their names which highlights the importance of identity in the book. With so little to cling to in the form of materials or healthy relationships they are forced to cling to who they are. A less emphasized name in the novel is Hagar, but her’s is, quite possibly, one of the most important ones. Hagar’s name translated from Hebrew means “flight”.
On Page 109-110, Drummond talks about a wooden horse from when he was little. He talks about what happens to it and says, “All shine, and no substance! [Turning to Cates] Bert, whenever you see something bright, shining, perfect-seeming—all gold, with purple spots—look behind the paint! And if it’s a lie—show it up for what it really is!” Mr. Drummond is basically saying that in life when you look past all of the beauty and colors of the best things in it what you find is not what you were expecting.
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.
To be alone on an island, painting the sky the desired shade of blue, but to be secluded, fending away civilization as it it were a parasite, is not one’s ideal state of mind. Yet, by a particular female character named Moushumi In the book The Namesake, they are confused. Moushumi is the ex-wife of Gogol and identified in detail by Jhumpa Lahiri. Moushumi’s identity is composed of her experiences, her values, and her background.
After the tragic death of Ashoke Ganguli, Gogol begins to recall recent and past memories with him. In the past, Gogol did not show much appreciation for his parents, which he now greatly regrets. It is now when Gogol realizes the true connection he had with his father, the true caring and genuine relationship they shared, and how terribly this dramatic occurrence will change his life. Gogol fully recognizes this change when he goes with Ashima to her friends' houses. "At the houses of their friends, his mother tells the story of calling the hospital. '
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
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.
Gogol, an Indian boy growing up in America, sees different meanings of home all around him. He sees that his mother feels at home back in Calcutta while he feels lost there. In Calcutta, his parents have to explain to friends and family members why their son “lacks a good name”(129). While back in America he “hates having to tell people that [his name] doesn’t mean
When a name is chosen for someone, the name becomes their personality, appearance and identity. In the book, the namesake, by Jhumpa Lahiri, she compares Gogol’s struggle with growing up in two different cultures, American and Indian. In the American culture, Gogol is able to change his name and be anyone he wants to be. On the other hand, the culture of his parents and them giving him that name, is anything but free. The name was chosen in order to respect and honor their homeland.
The Namesake is the story of Gogal, a Bengali boy who is named on an impulse after the Russian writer Nikolai which Gogol adds more vagueness to his already confused South Asian identity, hybridity, and state of in-between of the South Asian community brought to the fore. In Bengali culture, it is traditional to have two names, a “good” name, which appears on official documents, as well as a “pet” name used only by family and close friends, who is given by Ashima’s grandmother in India, gets lost in the postal void between America and India. Gogol is disordered because unlike all his Bengali family and friends, he not only has just one name, but his name is Russian and has no connection to his ancestry. While most Americans likewise only have one name, Gogol discovers his name all the more disturbing once he learns in school about the oddball yet brilliant writer with whom he bonds the name.
Born in America, immersed in mainstream American culture, but raised by parents who retain strong Indian traditions; in result, he struggles with his identity. As he grows up he questions who he truly is, and where he truly belongs. His past struggles all have an effect on his romantic relationships throughout the novel. Gogol’s three key relationships are animated by themes of belonging and alienation. Gogol’s first serious relationship is with Ruth,
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.
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.
