Namesake Reflection

Seung Mock You

In the story Namesake, it shows very well about the ordinary Indian's life in America. They have plenty problems between non- Indian people due to their cultural differences. Also, It shows how is it like to be pregnant, and form a family in America. The main character's family in the story, had problem with the name, because they had to get a letter from grandma for the new born baby, due to their culture, however, the letter didn't come for a long time, so they had to name the baby, Gogol.

For the other part of the story, Gogol's mom gets very surprised when he goes to a cemetery of a famous author, for field trip and got something from their. In American culture, that doesn't mean anything but in the Indian culture, that could've bring death for a lot of people around them, so his parents were very upset and surprised. In conclusion, the story, Namesake shows different culture's view and as readers keep reading the story, Namesake convince readers to not think wrong about the other cultures.

Aca Xie

So after reading Namesake of chapter 1-4, i can definitely say it is a very interesting book to read. The story starts out with Ashima who is a married pregnant woman to a man named Ashchoke who is her husband making something to eat. Suddenly her water breaks which Ashima is taken to the hospital to give birth to the baby, there she was taught on how to take care of one. When she gave birth to a baby boy they had to name him sooner or later due to the hospital having to release the baby and having to need a name for the birth certificate which the couple named Gogol. At that time it was considered tradition for the grandmother to name her grandchildren, but never got to since the letter she sent to them got too late thus Gogol was named.

From then on the story seems to focus on Gogol’s life and his actions. On some occasions it seems that Gogol doesn’t want to follow on some of the traditions since Gogol was the pet name for his family members to say while Nihkil was his formal name which Gogol just rejected it wanting everyone to call him Gogol during his first day of Kindergarten. During times like these we can see that Gogol doesn’t want to follow some the traditions set before him.

During chapter 4 Gogol is now 14 years old and is a sophomore, while his sister who was born during ch 3 since Ashima was pregnant during that time is not 8 years old. They get sent to India to visit their relatives and get in touch with their culture, unlike before Gogol isn’t excited like back then, but is more unwilling since he would be away from his friends as well as his music he likes listening which is much more different. From here we get foreshadowing about the story about the troubles of the new generation being born in different places versus the old generation who do thing the old fashion way since it is given to sometimes subtle or big ways such as Gogol name for an example.

Anna Qian

The story starts of Ashima is in her pregnancy which made her go through a lot of problems such as feeling uncomfortable,and Ashima husband Ashoke needed to take care of Ashima. Once the baby was born, the couple didn't have an idea of his name,but named him Gogol after Ashoke favorite author that is Russian. As soon Gogol grew up, Ashima found out that she is pregnant again and it is a girl.

As soon the baby girl was born,namesake soon takes about when Gogol grows up.In the story.Once Gogol had his 14th birthday party,in his birthday party he asked for no cake but games and his friends,Ashima which is the mother of Gogol makes his favorite Indian food that he likes.In his teenage age,he showed that he grown up and he is becoming more independent to the parents but dependent to his friends.

As soon Gogol went to high school in his junior year,it was his first time to fell in love with a girl that he met in the school.He saw this pretty and kind girl that he thinks that is the person he would like.

Shion Watanabe

Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri is about humans relationship, and love something or people. In the chapter one to four, there are people called Ashima and Ashoke, they got married and they got babies. When I'm reading this novel, I affinity felt to this novel because in this story has really commom to the real life, even the each character's personality are very interesting.