Month: March 2010
Genre: Fiction Literature
Book of the Month: The Namesake: A Novel
Author: Jhumpa Lahiri
Question source: 'Book Movement'
Question source: 'Book Movement'
Discussion Questions
1. The Namesake opens with Ashima Ganguli trying to make a spicy Indian snack from American ingredients — Rice Krispies and Planters peanuts — but "as usual, there's something missing." How does Ashima try and make over her home in Cambridge to remind her of what she's left behind in Calcutta? Throughout The Namesake, how does Jhumpa Lahiri use food and clothing to explore cultural transitions — especially through rituals, like the annaprasan, the rice ceremony? Some readers have said that Lahiri's writing makes them crave the meals she evokes so beautifully. What memories or desires does Lahiri bring up for you? Does her writing ever make you "hunger"?
2. The title The Namesake reflects the struggles Gogol Ganguli goes through to identify with his unusual names. How does Gogol lose first his public name, his bhalonam, and then his private pet name, his daknam? How does he try to remake his identity, after choosing to rename himself, and what is the result? How do our names precede us in society, and how do they define us? Do you have a pet name, or a secret name — and has that name ever become publicly known? Do different people call you by different names? Did you ever wish for a new name? How are names chosen in your family?
3. Newsweek said of Lahiri's Pulitzer Prize–winning collection of short stories, Interpreter of Maladies, "Jhumpa Lahiri writes such direct, translucent prose you almost forget you're reading." The Namesake is also subtle in style, elegant, and realistically paced. How are the events of the novel simultaneously dramatic and commonplace? What details made the characters real to you? Did you ever lose yourself in the story?
4. When Gogol is born, the Gangulis meet other Bengali families with small children, and Ashima finds that with a new baby "perfect strangers, all Americans, suddenly take notice of her, smiling, congratulating her for what she's done." How, for all of us, do children change our place in the community, and what we expect from it? Have you ever connected with someone you may have otherwise never spoken to — of a different ethnic background or economic class — through his children or your own?
5. In his youth, Ashoke Ganguli is saved from a massive train wreck in India. When his son, Gogol, is born, Ashoke thinks, "Being rescued from that shattered train had been the first miracle of his life. But here, now, reposing in his arms, weighing next to nothing but changing everything, is the second." Is Ashoke's love for his family more poignant because of his brush with death? Why do you think he hides his past from Gogol? What moments define us more — accidents or achievements, mourning or celebration?
6. Lahiri has said, "The question of identity is always a difficult one, but especially for those who are culturally displaced, as immigrants are . . . who grow up in two worlds simultaneously." What do you think Gogol wants most from his life? How is it different from what his family wants for him, and what they wanted when they first came to America to start a family? How have expectations changed between generations in your own family? Do you want something different for your own children from what your parents wanted for you?
7. Jhumpa Lahiri has said of The Namesake, "America is a real presence in the book; the characters must struggle and come to terms with what it means to live here, to be brought up here, to belong and not belong here." Did The Namesake allow you to think of America in a new way? Do you agree that America is a real presence in The Namesake? How is India also a presence in the book?
8. The marriage of Ashima and Ashoke is arranged by their families. The closest intimacy they share before their wedding is when Ashima steps briefly, secretly, into Ashoke's shoes. Gogol's romantic encounters are very different from what his parents experienced or expected for their son. What draws Gogol to his many lovers, especially to Ruth, Maxine, and eventually Moushumi? What draws them to him? From where do you think we take our notions of romantic love — from our family and friends, or from society and the media? How much does your cultural heritage define your ideas and experience of love?
9. Lahiri explores in several ways the difficulty of reconciling cross-cultural rituals around death and dying. For instance, Ashima refuses to display the rubbings of gravestones young Gogol makes with his classmates. And when Gogol's father suddenly dies, Gogol's relationship with Maxine is strained and quickly ends. Why do you think their love affair can't survive Gogol's grief? How does the loss of Gogol's father turn him back toward his family? How does it also change Sonia and Ashima's relationship?
10. Did you find the ending of The Namesake surprising? What did you expect from Moushumi and Gogol's marriage? Do you think Moushumi is entirely to blame for her infidelity? Is Gogol a victim at the end of the book? In the last few pages of The Namesake, Gogol begins to read "The Overcoat" for the first time — the book his father gave him, by his "namesake." Where do you imagine Gogol will go from here?
23 comments:
To Question Number 1:
Besides her food cravings I honestly didn't gather the impression of Ashima actually decorating her home to reflect her parent's home in India. If anything, the author conveyed Ashima's home as simple and of bare necessities.
I admit Lahiri's description of food was very enticing.
I admire how Lahiri's used food and clothing to explore differences in culture. As an American, things we would consider normal was called out to attention in this book and has influenced me to examine closely how such things or actions may be considered uncouth, beautiful and strange in the eyes of these foreign characters.
Whenever, Lahiri references food she reminds me of the excitement, anonymity and joy of eating unfamiliar food.
To Question #2:
Gogol loses his “Good name” on his first day of school when his teacher realizes he doesn’t answer to the name Ashoke tells her to call him, (Nikhil). Once his father leaves him, his teacher asked a young five year old Gogol Ganguli what name besides Nikhil he would prefer to be called and tells her without any hesitation, ‘Gogol’.
Gogol grows up to secretly loathe his “only” name Gogol. He finds it to be absurd and certain that no one will take him seriously; and nonetheless opposed to seeing Gogol written on his College Degree or any other important documentation. He decides to change his name after he is of age and graduates High School. As he enters College he is no longer called Gogol Ganguli, in stead he is known as Nikhil Ganguli. It takes him awhile to adjust to his new name, the name his parents initially intended he be called in public. Gogol feels an accomplishment as well as a fresh start in life. He is no longer burden by a namesake originally given to a dead troubled author (Nikolai Gogol) his father favored. Such a name belonged to a Russian male author whose characteristics; behavior and demise Gogol did not share. These two entities share nothing in common and yet his father named him after this burdened author.
Unlike India, society in America demands a name be given immediately following birth. Where in India a child’s “Good name” is declared later on in the child’s life with the intention to name the child based on their characteristics. This name is supposed to represent the child and yet hopefully be a name that they can live with comfortably everyday of their lives. So a name suitable to the parents is used to Tag their offspring in hopes that the child can appreciate the purpose behind their decision.
Being assigned a name is the first indication of a child’s identity aside from physical features. A name is like an invisible tattoo in a sense it is apart of the child that can be subjected to scrutiny, admiration, uniqueness, or commonality. They take the name wherever they may go and some how it begins to shape the world around them based on others reaction to their name. Unfortunately if the child does not like his or her name then it is more than likely that they dislike a part of themselves, which leads to many forms of depression. The concept of self is affected by something as harmless yet up noxious as a single name. A name can instill confidence, invisibility, shame or exclusivity
Within this book Lahiri mentions how in India names are given to only family members based on their relationship and role, in America it is similar to being a cousin, brother, uncle, father and or grandfather to someone. These are roles with honored names.
Yes I have a pet name a.k.a nick name. But I’m not telling.
To Question #3:
Media keeps us most informed. Technology keeps us intact. Government enforces order. Love, hate, dignity, oath and curiosity impel us to live. No matter where we travel in the world we will find people struggling with similar adversities, however only at different extremes. It is these same situations inflicting similar behaviors throughout everyday life that make the events of the novel simultaneously realistic and commonplace.
For me this was not a taxing novel of simply written words, instead it was as if I was listening to Lahiri casually tell me about the mishaps and tribulations of a Family named the Ganguli’s. I was swept into the story from the time Ashoke curiously stuck her toes into her future husband’s fancy American shoes.
To Question #4:
When Ashoke began to be noticed by other mothers and Bengali families with children, she began to embrace her surroundings, for the reason that she gave birth to a precious human being as other mothers have. Being a mother to a child is acceptance regardless of rank, finance, creed and race. It is something all mothers around the world will have in common. Children are like crafts on display, or in other words an open advertisement of your interest. And as a result mother’s whom have the same interest feel obliged to converse about your ‘craft’.
To Question #5:
It is clear throughout the story that Ashoke loves his family silently. He is a supporter. He is a quite yet a noticeable character. Ashoke and Ashima display their love through their tolerance for their children’s dispositions as they grow up into become adults themselves. Ashoke shows love by way of being present and non judgmental. He supports his family and remains a prominent figure and role model. He is not at all openly affectionate with his wife and children, but in private moments one on one, bit-by-bit he reveals vulnerable layers of a man that is surprisingly human.
Ashoke hides his past from Gogol, because it was an unpleasant life altering experience.
I think achievements define us more because they are things above all that we would want people to know about us. It is your hard work that rewards you with solace, which also enhances a person’s character and sense of self.
To Question #6:
Gogol wants to live a typical American life style. He doesn’t want to embrace a culture that is not a norm among most American families of which he is aware. Young Gogol feels embarrassed that his parents especially his mother continue their traditions and sole friendship only among Bengali people. His parent’s insistence doesn’t enrich his heritage instead it pushes him to disassociate himself from these customs altogether. His parents want him to acknowledge, respect and cherish the sanctity and support system of Bengali ways. His parents don’t seem to understand how the times are changing and younger generations are claiming their freedom, independence, discovering their selves by making their own decisions for their future.
As a parent I want my child to be happy. I expect him to value advice and literature; to use common sense when placed under peer pressure; to find something he is passionate about; to be an independent, responsible and considerate citizen; to find true love; to experience the amazing gift of a child. But overall I want him to understand that he is loved and no matter how cold the world may appear he is not alone and will always be loved by his parents. My parents wanted me to enjoy childhood, discover my self as an individual and be successful. I believe I am in range of their expectations.
Question #7:
Reading didn’t make me look at American in a new way, it just made me realize how our lax customs are viewed from an immigrant’s perspective in comparison to those India. India is definitely as much a presence as American. They are two extremes on either end of a spectrum. Each has it’s own identity, adversities, quality, richness, beauty, poverty, societies, architecture, food, urban layout, land conditions, survival attire, climate etc. These are things that can’t be missed or ignored because these are noticeable characteristics that stand out thus shape the lives and customs of its inhabitants.
To Question #8:
Gogol is drawn to these women because they are undeniably different. Their carefree American persona reminds him of freedom from his parent’s customs and expectations.
Oddly the women he dates are drawn to him for the exact same reasons. However each relationship of dating someone of a different race has ended in heartbreak, emptiness, and frustration. It is until he meets Moushumi that he surrenders to the things he has been avoiding his entire life, Bengali ways, a Bengali woman, and Bengali customs. Now that he is older he regrets being ungrateful to another world his parents were trying to instill in him and their Indian style wedding reflects his repent and gratitude. Nonetheless Moushumi feels the same about Gogol.
We develop our notions from love first from our parents, and then we compare it to what we see or read in the media as well as conversation with friends. However, I also believe that love is stimulated from physical attraction all thoughts, desires, inhibitions, expectations seem to follow suit of which thus leads to question our affection of lust vs. love.
Love in this country is easy to condone. Love is not planned nor arranged. There is no monetary value for it. It is a fearless emotion yet astonishing chemical reaction. Heritage and custom have not affected nor influenced my decision of finding love and maintaining it. I have been an experience of listening to the heart.
To Question #9:
Maxine and Gogol’s relationship becomes distressed as a result of Gogol suffering from remorse of being so wrapped up in his own affairs that he never fully valued the important things his father had to offer. Gogol regrets taking his fathers presence for granted. He is also seeing his mother without contempt. All that she has endured for him he begins to acknowledge their sacrifice and he feels obliged to solely dedicate his time and undivided attention to the things he has dismissed and disregarded.
Maxine cannot understand the vain and sacrifice in his mourning.
This made me a little angry. Her level of self-indulgence revealed exactly how selfish and inconsiderate she was when Gogol stopped following her around like a puppy.
As for Sonia and Ashima they learned to rely on each other for comfort and companionship. Through Gogol’s father’s death, his family came together, back to the house on Pemberton Rd, the one place that remained constant and their place of solace.
To Question #10:
The ending was extremely surprising. I was so happy for Gogol when he married Moushumi. However, Moushumi had serious issues from the very beginning. I found myself wanting to slap her each time she snapped out on Gogol for her own unhappiness. She didn’t try hard enough which is why I can single her out as the blame for peril destruction of their marriage. Gogol remained present and faithful. He loved her despite at any given moment she would outburst with tears, silly complaints and random isolation. Gogol was a good guy and he deserved better than Moushumi.
Gogol notices and admires how Moushumi had the courage to fly to Europe on her own and create a new life for herself there. When I read this I wanted to scream through the pages that He wasn’t a coward in the same sense that Moushumi was. Gogol became an adult unlike Moushumi. Gogol found a path in life, learned from his mistakes, and was willing to open his eyes and see life for it’s blessings rather it’s disappointments. Moushumi was stuck in her own childish world where selfish wants superseded reason. She was greedy and content on being a whore while disgracing Gogol to simply pursue a man that will before long bore her. Moreover, her search and expectations of capturing an exciting ‘never a dull day’ companionship will be her demise. She most likely will never find what she is looking for, because life is what you make of it. It takes effort, patience, communication, love and forgiveness. She never talked to Gogol about what really bothered her and this wasn’t fair to Gogol. She didn’t love him enough to give him chance to win her heart back.
As for Gogol’s future, I can see him remarrying three years down the road and having two children. I see him happy all the while looking back on the day he discovered his father’s affectionate words in a book that he avoided most of his life.
1.) I think food and certain smells remind you of home. Food is some ways is a cultural thing that’s been passed on to generation after generation and it often tells its own story.
2) Well his parents tried to wait for the letter from grandmother but it never came and in the US a child need a name before its release from the hospital so they gave him one than and when he started to go to school Gogol didn’t answer to his other name, so it wasn’t until he was older when I changed it his self.
He let his name define him instead defining himself as a person. Plus he really didn’t understand why his father name him Gogol.
10) I really didn’t like the ending. I think you left hanging
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This is an enchanting tale of an Indian family who migrated from India to america, it tells the story of a traditional indian couple who stick to their indian values & issure dealt with in America. It then describes the life of their son, who was born in America and the different lives they share. I found it to be an extraordinary tale that really looks into the characters persona in depth!
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