The Namesake Part 3 (Chapters 8-12)

Hello again fellow peers. After three weeks of blogging, we have finally come to an end with this book! I personally quite enjoyed the ending. It brought about a sense of closure that is true to reality instead of that nonsensical happy ending we are all accustomed to. There wasn’t a lot I could connect to in this part of the book as Gogol is so old, so I think this post will mostly be my thoughts on the book.

When Gogol married Moushumi, you could tell from the start that it wasn’t going to work out. They both came fresh from unsuccessful relationships, and were only looking to each other as a link to their former (somewhat happier) selves. As they were both still uncovering who they were as individuals, having someone come from the same background served as a crutch for each of them. They were both a sense of comfort to each other, nothing more. Also, as the book is about how Gogol is ‘finding his true self’ and whatnot, I didn’t think it to be possible for him to do so whilst in a relationship, so I was confused when he and Moushumi married.

Gogol's life much?!?

An article that I think would have benefited Gogol before getting married.

There was some obvious foreshadowing to the inevitable breakup. In the text it says, “He tries to peel the image from the sticky yellow backings, to show her the next time he sees her, but it clings stubbornly, refusing to detach cleanly from the past” (Lahiri 207). This shows that Gogol and Moushumi’s relationship is that of the past, and that they will not progress as a couple. Moushumi keeping her old wedding dress also shows her lack of commitment to the relationship.

Gogol and Sonia had to teach their parents the etiquette's of Christmas. It is said, “He [Gogol] remembers the single wrapped gift that he had received, a toy that he’d picked out for himself, his mother asking him to stand by the greeting cards while she paid for it” (Lahiri 285). When I was younger, I asked my parents if I could have an allowance for all the (non-existent) chores I did around the house. My parents didn’t really understand the concept, so they’d just give me money whenever. Being the proud five year old I was, I declined their offers, but it just goes to show how hard parents try to embrace the culture they are raising their children in.

Overall, I think the themes in The Namesake are those that most individuals can connect to at some point in their life. The book is more of a ‘slice of life’ type of story, which I don’t think I would have read had this not been a school assigned book (mostly because I get super nostalgic with these types of books). I found myself asking my parents more about their immigration stories, and going through my naming crisis yet again after finishing the book. Also, does anyone else’s book smell good? Mine’s smells like marshmallows for some reason.

Works Cited

AZ Quotes. Rollo May Quote. Digital image. AZ Quotes. Web. 12 Oct. 2017.

Smar, Danielle. "Don't Confuse Being Comfortable For Being In Love." The

Odyssey Online. 28 Aug. 2017. Web. 12 Oct. 2017.

The Adventures of Pete and Pete. Traitor. Digital image. Giphy. Web. 12 Oct.

2017.

We Bear Bears. Bear in Money. Digital image. Giphy. Web. 12 Oct. 2017.