Symbols in The Namesake

The Namesake

Relationships

The start of Gogol's namesake began when Ashoke and Ashima never received the letter from Ashima's grandmother with Gogol's names. Gogol's name came from Ashoke's favorite writer, who he was reading during his train accident. Gogol travels after his divorce and has found himself. Gogol then comes back to America, his home place, away from his parents birth place, India.

Ashoke and Ashima are not emotionally close like American relationships. After Ashoke's death, Ashima finds herself upset and lonely, showing that she really loved her husband even with the little amount of affection showed.

Gogol has three relationships that teaches something about himself. Ruth was his first true love, but he did not tell her about his pet name. Maxine he was falling for but when the death of his father ocurred he withdrew himself from the relationship. Moushumi who Gogol married, cheated on him. This gave Gogol the opportunity to explore and learn about himself.

Gogol's Namesake

Symbols

In The Namesake, Gogol symbolizes his journey through life as Bengali American finding his true identity.

Throughout The Namesake, there are many symbols. The first symbol is trains. The second is different cultural backgrounds. The third is relationships. The last that ties in all other symbols is Gogol's namesake, his true identity.

Relationships

In The Namesake, relationships symbolize the characters finding their true identities.

Video Clip

Culture

In The Namesake, culture presents the diversity between American and Bengali traditions.

Gogol and Trains

For Gogol, the train represents his journey to finding his namesake.

Gogol meets Ruth, his first love, on a train.

After his father's death and divorce he travels to India to find out about his background. Then travels back to America, his home. "Pack a pillow and blanket. Go, see the world. You will never regret it, Gogol" ("The Namesake.").

This video clip best summarizes all the symbols that I stated, leading to the main symbol, Gogol's true identity, his namesake.

Ashoke and Trains

Ashima and Trains

Ashoke survives a near death experience when the train he was boarded on crashes.

"Deep in [Ashoke's] chest he felt the rough jostle of the wheels. Sparks from the smokestack passed by his window" (Lahiri 17).

"He was still clutching a single page of 'The Overcoat' crumpled tightly in his fist..." (Lahiri 18).

Ashima finds comfort in the trains in America. She left a few bags on board and was able to retrieve the items. In India, people are mugged and shot on trains.

Trains

In The Namesake, a train symbolizes the journey throughout life, good things and bad things.

Trains

Symbols in The Namesake

There are several symbols that stand out in The Namesake. The first is trains. The second is culture. The third is relationships. Finally, these three symbols help wrap up the main symbol which is Gogol's namesake, his true identity.

Bengali vs. American

In India, people get married earlier than in America. "You know, by the time [Ashima] was [Gogol's] age, I had already celebrated my 10th wedding anniversary. This is America, Ma. People have twins when theyre 60" ("The Namesake.").

American vs. Bengali

Sonia, daughter of Ashoke and Ashima, wears traditional 'American' clothes to school to fit in. Ashima still dresses in the traditional Bengali Sari.

Gogol is a pet name and good name is Nikhil. In India, children are named two names. One that is their home name, pet name, and one that is there acknowledged name, good name.

In America, there is only one name for both.

Symbols in

The Namesake

Cultures of a Bengali

Ashoke and Ashima are very conservative when it comes to showing affection.

Maxine, Gogol's second love, is very affectionate towards Gogol. When she visits his family he tells her, "There are some things you should know. Um, no kissing, no holding hands.... I've never seen them touch, let alone anything else" ("The Namesake.").