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The Namesake - Online Term Paper

The Namesake

What’s in a Name?

Gogol’s emotional relationships in The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri change at different times in his life because of how he sees himself as a person. Gogol was named after his father’s favorite author, Nikolai Gogol. Before Gogol was born Ashoke, Gogol’s father, was almost killed in a train crash and it was “The Overcoat”, written by Nikolai Gogol, that saved his life. As a child Gogol does not understand the Bengali culture and how children are named, later in life he goes through an identity struggle of trying to find himself.

When Gogol is a child he is confused about having two names. Before Gogol’s first day of school he learns that his good name is “Nikhil” and ...

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has, and he wouldnt take on the new name. When Gogol goes to school he did not respond to Nikhil and the Principal is mind boggled by the name tradition also. In school Gogol chooses to go by the name he knows himself to be. The Gangulis have no choice but to give in to what they call it “The American way.” “At the end of his first day he is sent home with a letter to his parents from Mrs. Lapidus, folded and stapled around his neck, explaining that due to their son’s preference, he will be known as Gogol at school”(pg 60). This quote shows that no matter how much they wanted to enforce the good name, Gogol preference, and the schools registration, decided that he will always go by Gogol.

As Gogol got older the way he feels about himself darkens with dislike, until he hates his name . He feels that his father has failed to realize that Nikolai Gogol is not Gogol's favorite author, the name is not Bengali, and that he does appreciate it as much as Ashoke does. He hates the ...

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The Namesake. (2012, May 17). Retrieved January 11, 2026, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Namesake/101016

"The Namesake." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 17 May. 2012. Web. 11 Jan. 2026. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Namesake/101016>

"The Namesake." Essayworld.com. May 17, 2012. Accessed January 11, 2026. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-Namesake/101016.

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 5/17/2012 06:27:17 PM
Submitted By: Kayy20
Category: English
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 969
Pages: 4

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