Post Number 2- The Namesake

Mr. Coon,

This summer, I read The Namesake, by Jhumpa Lahiri. I could personally relate to this book as an American brought up with Indian values as well as being a human being. Lahiri does a wonderful job in providing the reader with a better understanding of typical traits that are associated as fundamentally human. Both Ashok and Gogol Ganguli are two characters that exhibit essential humanity in the novel that I will focus upon in this post.

Gogol Ganguli is plagued throughout his life by his unique name. Initially, Gogol does not understand or know the true symbolism of his name that is so significant to his father. To Gogol, the name Gogol is a symbol of an identity he initially chooses not to accept. When Gogol begins to grow into a young man, he becomes painfully ashamed and embarrassed about his funny name. When Gogol leaves for college though, he changes his name to Nikhil; this act is a symbol of a new identity that Gogol, or rather Nikhil, tries to adopt. Nikhil adopts a more American lifestyle and voluntarily chooses to be rid of his family and his Indian background. In the end of the novel though, after his father’s death, Nikhil returns to Gogol and realizes that his place is really with his family. Gogol in the end of the novel seems to discover his true identity.

This identity conflict that Gogol exhibits throughout the novel is a central theme. Not only is the theme important in the novel, but it is very important in relation to humanity. Human beings place great importance on identity and are constantly trying to discover their true identity. Identity is important to humans because it shows us who we really are, provides us guidance, and gives us understanding to our place in the world. To me, identity is so important to understand who I am and understand my strengths and weaknesses as a human, who is involved in the communities of school and family. Though identity is definitely important to all humans, not all humans know their identity initially. Gogol demonstrates his dilemma in trying to understand his true identity by changing his name, adopting new lifestyles, and trying to get away from his family. To me, Gogol’s actions under the name Nikhil are a testing or journey in the search of identity. Gogol’s actions are not unique; human beings throughout the world constantly are trying to discover their own identities, just like Gogol. Gogol’s journey represents mankind’s universal struggle to discern identity.

Ashok Ganguli demonstrates the human characteristic of a human’s placing importance on significant events and names. Ashok Ganguli was involved in a train accident and was almost forgotten with the dead bodies, but he raised his hand that was clenched to a page of one of Gogol’s books; this act helped save his life by attracting attention to help save him. Ashok loved Gogol’s work and the fact that he was holding onto a page of Gogol’s work when he was fighting for survival was very emotionally important to Ashok. When Ashok has his son, he chooses to name his son Gogol as a symbol of his survival, and his escape from death, as well as much more. Initially Ashok and his wife did not intend for their son to be named Gogol, for they were awaiting a name to be chosen by Gogol’s grandmother. But, Ashok and his wife never found out what the grandmother’s chosen name was to be, so they went with Gogol.
The fact that Ashok decided to name his son Gogol shows Jhumpa Lahiri’s ability to make characters essentially human. The name Gogol is very important to Ashok. Though Ashok took almost no time at all to choose the name Gogol, Ashok chooses this name to remember a changing event in his life. Many people name their children to represent a friend or an influence that has shaped their life, and this is just as Ashok does. Names are very important to human beings, because like identity, they can sometimes symbolize a value or a meaning. Human beings place special emphasis on names, because names really do establish an identity. I know my parents took weeks to figure out a name, and if they did not name me Aravind, it is perplexing to think who I would be if I was not Aravind. Ashok also connects Gogol’s name with the important event of his near death experience. Humans frequently symbolize important things in life to signify meaningful events to them. One of the most important, memorable dialogues is when Gogol discovers the meaning behind his name.:
Gogol asks, "Is that (Ashok’s train accident) what you think of when you think of me?"
"Not at all.You remind me of everything that followed," replies his father.

This quote shows that Ashok named Gogol to remember his survival, and the happiness that followed his tragic event. The fact that Ashok names Gogol after his near death experience shows that Ashok exhibits traits of humanity as a character.

Jhumpa Lahiri does a great job in making the fictional characters seem like humans. Gogol and Ashok’s actions and symbolisms make the reader able to connect with the characters as humans. The Namesake at times does not feel to be a story, but rather a painting of lives of real human beings.

Aravind

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Aravind Swaminathan first blog post

Dear Mr. Coon,



First of all, I wanted to thank you for your letter that you read to us in class. I really respect the passion and enthusiasm you showed to us this morning. In fact, I have never seen a teacher love his or her class so much, and already I find myself already loving your class. So thank you.



Now, a little bit about me as a reader. I've been a reader since as long as I can remember. My mother helped me to discover my love books even before I could walk. Actually, some of my favorite pictures are of my mom and me reading books together when I was two. It's safe to say that I've never lost my love of reading and I am one-hundred percent positive that I never will.



As of now, or rather in my current "phase", I do have some favorite types of reading. Right now, I am particularly enthusiastic about thrillers that involve any type of science (biological science to technological science, and everything in between). I know that many people think of thrillers as "trashy" or as all being "clones," but to me a good thriller is as good as the Bible is to Dr. Allison. I love being able to escape reality and place myself in an improbable (but very interesting) situation. I love being able to escape my monotonous life and feel excitement through danger and suspense. I love being able to feel important and meaningful. I love being able to get away from my homework or that senate agenda that I have to compose, even if it's only for an hour or two.



I read everything, anywhere, at any time. I read magazines, the news, poetry, comics, the internet, essays, horoscopes, and even advertisements. I read because I enjoy how others use words in the form of an art. I love understanding how others perceive and feel, and I love learning more through others' words. My knowledge database is always expanding whenever I read, and this allows me to be more creative and more thoughtful—this is something that I am truly grateful for.



My habits as a reader have changed as I've grown older. I remember when I was younger, I made it a point to read at least an hour before I went to bed. Also, I remember I really was only interested in science fiction and fantasy when I was younger. But now, with all my schoolwork and studying, I find it hard to devote attention to just an hour of solid pleasure reading. My reading habit has been transformed into a more leisure fashion; I read whenever I have the chance, and it can be anything. Sometimes while waiting for dinner I'll pick up Calvin and Hobbes or on a lazy Sunday I'll reread one of my all time favorite novels. One habit that does not change is that every morning I read the news, whether to check the latest trends in business or any major roster changes in the NBA. My diversity in what I read is what I love about reading, for I get to always learn and be flexible. I guess I have taken a liberal arts approach to reading.



My history as a writer is much different than my history as a reader. I have never been much of a regular writer. I have tried keeping a daily journal, but it just never seems to work. The way I write is in bursts of energy. Whenever I have a great idea, I suddenly feel the urge to start writing. This applies not just to school but my occasional free writing. Sometimes, when writing for an assignment for school, I simply have to wait and try not to write until I get an idea, and suddenly everything seems to fall in place. I believe these bursts of energy are outlets of my creativity, and this is when I love writing. I love writing when I am amazed at how I can articulate a point and turn a vision into a work of art. As I said earlier, I enjoy how others use words in the form of an art, and I also love viewing my own words as an art. My most memorable writing works are the works I have composed when I was in middle and elementary school, for when I look at them, I look see a true picture of me and my creativity at such a young age. My writing at my young age shows what I truly wanted to express, not what I was told to express. But, I must say that I have really enjoyed putting my writing at work in creative poetry and research in the past few years. One weakness in my writing is that I tend to belabor a point and sometimes get carried away with what I'm saying. My strengths in writing are being able to know what I want to get across and being able to do this in a creative manner. Honestly, I do want to be able to write freely more often, and I'm hoping that we will have a chance to do so this year in your class.



Well, Mr. Coon, thank so much. I am really glad that you want to get the chance to know me a little better. I am really looking forward to a great year. Thanks again.



Sincerely,



Aravind



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