Fortunately for Gogol, Moushumi, an old family friend comes back into his life. At first, Gogol is not too excited to see her since his mother was the one to encourage him to do so. He doesn't remember much about her except that she always carried a book with her and that they never really talked. During their first encounter, Gogol is intrigued that, "This is the first time he's been out with a woman who'd once known him by that other name."(193) Gogol soon becomes interested in her because he likes the fact that she is not a complete stranger. Since they are both American born with Bengali parents, it is no surprise that they click instantaneously. They understand each other because as kids they were both forced to practice their Indian traditions. Although they each promised themselves that they would never marry a Bengali, it is clear that they are meant for each other.Sunday, March 23, 2014
The Namesake - An Old Family Friend
After distancing himself from his parents, Gogol is really affected when he finds out about his father's unexpected death. He immediately sets out for the hospital to identify his body and to clear out his apartment. Due to his father's death, "he knows now the guilt that his parents carried inside, at being able to do nothing when their parents had died in India, of arriving weeks, sometimes months later, when there was nothing left to do." (Lahiri 179). Gogol is filled with guilt because now that his father is dead, he can't do anything to make up for the lost time. All that he has left are memories. He is so conflicted with his emotions that even Maxine's presence becomes an annoyance and he ends up pushing her away. When Maxine pays her respects to his family for their loss, Gogol is "aware that his father's death does not affect Maxine in the least."(182) Even though Maxine is just trying to support him during this troubled time, he is bothered because she is incapable of understanding the pain he is going through.
Fortunately for Gogol, Moushumi, an old family friend comes back into his life. At first, Gogol is not too excited to see her since his mother was the one to encourage him to do so. He doesn't remember much about her except that she always carried a book with her and that they never really talked. During their first encounter, Gogol is intrigued that, "This is the first time he's been out with a woman who'd once known him by that other name."(193) Gogol soon becomes interested in her because he likes the fact that she is not a complete stranger. Since they are both American born with Bengali parents, it is no surprise that they click instantaneously. They understand each other because as kids they were both forced to practice their Indian traditions. Although they each promised themselves that they would never marry a Bengali, it is clear that they are meant for each other.
Fortunately for Gogol, Moushumi, an old family friend comes back into his life. At first, Gogol is not too excited to see her since his mother was the one to encourage him to do so. He doesn't remember much about her except that she always carried a book with her and that they never really talked. During their first encounter, Gogol is intrigued that, "This is the first time he's been out with a woman who'd once known him by that other name."(193) Gogol soon becomes interested in her because he likes the fact that she is not a complete stranger. Since they are both American born with Bengali parents, it is no surprise that they click instantaneously. They understand each other because as kids they were both forced to practice their Indian traditions. Although they each promised themselves that they would never marry a Bengali, it is clear that they are meant for each other.
Monday, March 17, 2014
The Namesake - Home
After reading six chapters of The Namesake, I've noticed that both Gogol and his parents have trouble identifying a place where they truly belong. Ashima and Ashoke do not view their house in Pemberton Road as home, and after living in America for so long, India is no longer their home either. Gogol does not regard his parents house as home, and sadly he feels more comfortable wherever he is far away from them.
At one point, Gogol mentions that he, "makes the mistake of referring to New Haven as home."(Lahiri 108), the city where he goes to college. He understands that saying this upsets his parents, yet he feels the right to call it home because it is perhaps the only place where he has ever felt comfortable. Ashima is clearly insulted and she tells him that, "after twenty years in America, she still cannot bring herself to refer to Pemberton Road as home."(108) It is understandable that Ashima feels a sense of betrayal since her son is subtly admitting that New Haven, and not where he was raised by his parents, is the place where he belongs. It is also upsetting that she admits that after spending twenty years in America, it is not a place she identifies as home. Yet again, whenever they visit India, "Gogol [is] aware of an obligation being fulfilled; that it [is] above all else, a sense of duty that [draws] his parents back."(141-142). If they really feel a sense of obligation to go back to India, then it simply can't be the place they call home either.
If Gogol's parents are so conflicted about where their home lies, then it is no surprise that Gogol feels the same way. At one point, Gogol is forced to attend a discussion about Indian novels written in English, and he learns about the term ""American-born confused deshi." In other words, him." (118). This term is used to describe Indians who don't know where they are form or where they belong, and Gogol accepts that he is one of them. Eventually, Gogol realizes that he wishes to be deeply connected to a place. This happens when he joins his girlfriend at her parents summer home, "He realizes that this is a place that will always be here for her." (156). That is exactly the type of place that Gogol needs for himself, a place that he can always go back to no matter what.
At one point, Gogol mentions that he, "makes the mistake of referring to New Haven as home."(Lahiri 108), the city where he goes to college. He understands that saying this upsets his parents, yet he feels the right to call it home because it is perhaps the only place where he has ever felt comfortable. Ashima is clearly insulted and she tells him that, "after twenty years in America, she still cannot bring herself to refer to Pemberton Road as home."(108) It is understandable that Ashima feels a sense of betrayal since her son is subtly admitting that New Haven, and not where he was raised by his parents, is the place where he belongs. It is also upsetting that she admits that after spending twenty years in America, it is not a place she identifies as home. Yet again, whenever they visit India, "Gogol [is] aware of an obligation being fulfilled; that it [is] above all else, a sense of duty that [draws] his parents back."(141-142). If they really feel a sense of obligation to go back to India, then it simply can't be the place they call home either.
If Gogol's parents are so conflicted about where their home lies, then it is no surprise that Gogol feels the same way. At one point, Gogol is forced to attend a discussion about Indian novels written in English, and he learns about the term ""American-born confused deshi." In other words, him." (118). This term is used to describe Indians who don't know where they are form or where they belong, and Gogol accepts that he is one of them. Eventually, Gogol realizes that he wishes to be deeply connected to a place. This happens when he joins his girlfriend at her parents summer home, "He realizes that this is a place that will always be here for her." (156). That is exactly the type of place that Gogol needs for himself, a place that he can always go back to no matter what.
Sunday, March 9, 2014
The Namesake - A New Home
In the first two chapters of The Namesake, I have read about the story of an Indian couple who leaves behind their home in Calcutta, and emigrate to the United States. While Ashoke goes to college to get his degree, Ashima stays in their apartment feeling homesick and depressed. She talks about the hardships she endures in a new country, including raising her firstborn child far away from India.
Shortly after beginning The Namesake, I felt sympathy towards Ashima because she feels miserable being away from her family. In this new country, "nothing feels normal to Ashima. For the past eighteen months, ever since she's arrived in Cambridge, nothing has felt normal at all."(Lahiri 5). Even though its been one and a half years since her arrival, Ashima simply cannot grow accustomed to the new place which is now her home. Even when her baby is born, and Ashima should feel overwhelmed by joy, she feels disconsolate because, "the baby's birth, like most everything in America, feels somehow haphazard, only half true."(25) I find it truly upsetting that Ashima can't enjoy motherhood because she feels so distressed. At home,"she cries as she feeds him, and as she pats him to sleep…She cries after the mailman's visit because there are no letters from Calcutta. She cries when she calls Ashoke at his department and he does not answer."(34) Clearly Ashima is going through a rough time, especially when she is left alone to care for her child.
Fortunately, Ashima finds some distractions and begins to feel better about herself. It was a great relief when Ashima decided to go out and run some errands because she finally begins to feel better. After this incident, Ashima begins to develop a more positive attitude and starts going out more along with Gogol, her child. She becomes even more lively after planning to go visit her family over the winter. She decides to buy some presents but unfortunately, she forgets them in the train on her way back home. Ashima is disconsolate and,"For the rest of the afternoon she is furious with herself, humiliated at the prospect of arriving in Calcutta empty-handed."(42) However, Ashima learns that her things are returned to the lost and found and, "this small miracle causes Ashima to feel connected to Cambridge in a way she has not previously thought possible."(43) Finally, Ashima has experienced a sense of happiness directly linked to the place which is now her home, and it makes her realize that not everything is as bad as she makes it out to be.
Fortunately, Ashima finds some distractions and begins to feel better about herself. It was a great relief when Ashima decided to go out and run some errands because she finally begins to feel better. After this incident, Ashima begins to develop a more positive attitude and starts going out more along with Gogol, her child. She becomes even more lively after planning to go visit her family over the winter. She decides to buy some presents but unfortunately, she forgets them in the train on her way back home. Ashima is disconsolate and,"For the rest of the afternoon she is furious with herself, humiliated at the prospect of arriving in Calcutta empty-handed."(42) However, Ashima learns that her things are returned to the lost and found and, "this small miracle causes Ashima to feel connected to Cambridge in a way she has not previously thought possible."(43) Finally, Ashima has experienced a sense of happiness directly linked to the place which is now her home, and it makes her realize that not everything is as bad as she makes it out to be.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)