This essay explores the theme of identity and belonging in the novel The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri. It delves into the significance of names, culture, and upbringing in shaping one's sense of self. The essay also examines the struggles faced by the protagonist in finding their identity in a new country.
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HOW DOES THE NAMESAKE EXPLORE THE IDEA OF IDENTITY AND BELONGING
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Table of Contents Essay of Topic- The Namesake explore the idea of identity and belonging...................................3 REFERENCES................................................................................................................................1
Essay of Topic- The Namesake explore the idea of identity and belonging The “Namesake” is a Novel whose author is Jhumpa Lahiri, this book has defined the story of culture, race, heritage and varied components that mold the attitude of individuals and directs the lives in ever changing society (The Namesake: A Struggle for Identity, 2007). Therefore, the things that represented in this novel is as identity that purely illustrated by analysing the value of one name as the definition of paternal line of descent, inheritance and gender as means by which identity in life is bring down. This is the novels that reflected the lives of two individuals as Ashima and Ashoke Ganguli and how they leave their life behind in India in which they had grown. Also, the love to live their dream to stay in America to have the best life for themselves and their children. Gogole who is their only son and the bearer of their family name and has struggled endlessly to find his identity at the time of endeavouring to mold his expectation of family with the further belief he feels in the American society. Henceforth, this has been stated that there can be great sense of the identity in one's name and there also one of the great importance within the care of the good family name. So, Ashima and Ashoke's wanted to give their son a name that will add meaning and intent to the life. In this Novel one incident has mentioned of the Nikolai Gogol in which he found abruptly broken at time when Ashoke's car details and the pages of the novels all are thrust upon the cold. Due to this incident, it has been found out that knowledge is the source of his name that aids to specify the ways that life begins to take. By this incident, it has been reflected that the Gogol's life is also filled with dead ends, let down and confusion as he struggles to find out who are us and where the curse of his namesake will lead him to the next. This novel has clearly stated that name drives the lives of the individuals in the positive direction and even in the tough time this provides the strength and purpose to preserve. Thus, it can be clearly stated that culture dictates majorly the name, titles and age as means with help of which one established his or her identity in terms to the social status. Additionally, Namesake that not only add meaning and direction to their lives but these also gives the sense of culture identity and belonging. Thus, the name as Gogol is represents the heritage of Bengali (The Namesake: A Struggle for Identity, 2007). Henceforth, Nikolai Gogol rejects his name due to reason that this connects him towards the nonsensical traditions that in the past he was forced to honour and also hindered him from living the free life as his name was connected to his father. Hence, Nikolai is discredited of his name as he is very shamed of history
which is apparently more fantastic than the American society. Therefore, the culture and upbringing these are the two common components that aids to establish the identity of one individuals and this is the most dominant these within the novel. Differences within the culture give rise to the individuality that protagonist encounter. In this novel, the life of the Ashima is revolves around her children. Sometimes, she feels alone during encountering the major stages of their lives. Thus, her main aim was to take care for her family as this is the thing that she observed from from other women in family. While Ashima was in the pain during her first delivery to child she was thinking about the ability to make life rather like her mother and grandmother has done. She also gives her job upon marrying but the women of American culture access more to the educational opportunities and perform the roles effectively and efficiently. In the Indian culture, the father is more responsible to for family financial growth while mother plays the main role in the integral issue of the family. Henceforth, the novel as Namesake has defined the family dynamics that is very similar to the Normal American society. Societal mindset that gender ground one's identity is very strongly supported. Thus, it can be stated that never ending search for the identity of an individual ls has been an issues that is continually increasing in today's society. Majorly this is for those who have recently migrated to another country.
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