Essay The Namesake Outlines
Jaymie Gagui
Kerber
October 3, 2014
1st period 2003, Form B Outline Cultural collisions can draw attention to characters as they struggle between their personal cultural identity. These collisions often cause an individual to question who they are.
In Jhumpa Lahiri’s
The Namesake
, the author explores how cultural collision can affect a specific character: Gogol. Lahiri demonstrates the theme of finding one’s identity by displaying the protagonist Gogol’s cultural collisions in each stage of his life. In each period of his life, Gogol faces many collisions between the Bengali and American culture; the manner in which he reacts to each experience is a way of searching for his identity. In his earlier years, Gogol seemed satisfied with his life as he is influenced by the Bengali culture.
However, as he matured, the protagonist began to feel uneasy towards the unfamiliarity of his life compared to those who surrounded him. By feeling alienated towards the American culture, he rebelled against the Bengali culture. Even after changing his name to Nikhil and two failed relationships, it took his father’s death for him to realize how his background is significant towards his identity. Through Gogol, Lahiri teaches readers how ethnic, religious, regional, family backgrounds will always be a part of one’s status no matter how much one tries to ignore it. 1. In his early childhood, Gogol did not have any problems with the Bengali culture. The family would always go to Bengali parties and get togethers on the weekends, allowing them to practice their Indian culture. 2. Gogol begins dating women who aren’t from the same background as his family in his college years. Reveals how he wants to distance himself from his family and background. He dates Ruth who is a hippie. Later on dates Maxine and moves in with her family. 3. His father’s death helped him get closer to his family. He regrets spending time away from his parents and
Kerber
October 3, 2014
1st period 2003, Form B Outline Cultural collisions can draw attention to characters as they struggle between their personal cultural identity. These collisions often cause an individual to question who they are.
In Jhumpa Lahiri’s
The Namesake
, the author explores how cultural collision can affect a specific character: Gogol. Lahiri demonstrates the theme of finding one’s identity by displaying the protagonist Gogol’s cultural collisions in each stage of his life. In each period of his life, Gogol faces many collisions between the Bengali and American culture; the manner in which he reacts to each experience is a way of searching for his identity. In his earlier years, Gogol seemed satisfied with his life as he is influenced by the Bengali culture.
However, as he matured, the protagonist began to feel uneasy towards the unfamiliarity of his life compared to those who surrounded him. By feeling alienated towards the American culture, he rebelled against the Bengali culture. Even after changing his name to Nikhil and two failed relationships, it took his father’s death for him to realize how his background is significant towards his identity. Through Gogol, Lahiri teaches readers how ethnic, religious, regional, family backgrounds will always be a part of one’s status no matter how much one tries to ignore it. 1. In his early childhood, Gogol did not have any problems with the Bengali culture. The family would always go to Bengali parties and get togethers on the weekends, allowing them to practice their Indian culture. 2. Gogol begins dating women who aren’t from the same background as his family in his college years. Reveals how he wants to distance himself from his family and background. He dates Ruth who is a hippie. Later on dates Maxine and moves in with her family. 3. His father’s death helped him get closer to his family. He regrets spending time away from his parents and