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

(895)