"It's A Love Story"

Oh my Gogol!! He has found love!! A happy, loving, and caring relationship in which he is head over heels in love with this girl. No offense to Ruth or Maxine, but Gogol did not have a healthy relationship with either of them. Ruth, left for England and they just never really were good for each other, such as when they do see each other again they just start fighting. And then Maxine, woah she sure is a handful. I never really thought that she was the nicest and most caring girlfriend of Gogol's so I was kinda glad when they broke up.

Moushumi, she is the best person for Gogol ever. I just love how even though both of them from early on in their lives decided to break away from whatever their parents wanted, such as who their parents picked for them to marry. But since they knew each other from before in their lives there is a sense of their own past within the other, a different perspective of what they could have been like, how they were seen, etc. She is only known as a book reader to him from before, but as he sees her, "He had not expected to enjoy himself, to be attracted to her in the least." (Lahiri 199) He is so unexpectedly pleased by her company and ability to relate to him. He loves how she is natural, how he can get to know her for what she ism her story her struggle, and love every detail about her. "He wonders what is might be like to kiss her on the mouth." (Lahiri 205) He wants her, to love her, and it doesn't matter that their mom's set them up or that she is of course Indian.

Go Gogol Go

Gogol, that poor fellow. After reading through Jhumpa Lahiri's "The Namesake," a little bit further than last time, I have discovered that Gogol Ganguli is trying so desperately to find his identity. What a ride he has been on so far from being confronted with a new name, going to college, searching for his passion, meeting challenges with his past and present, and finally working through his relationships.

First, Gogol from the beginning is given from his parents his good name. But is as a kindergardener Gogol doesn't understand the custom of Bengali pet names and good names. "He is afraid to be Nikhil, someone he doesn't know. Who doesn't know him." (Lahiri 57) Gogol wants to be what he knows, what his parents know him as, and this idea of not "being" Gogol is unheard of and what he doesn't know.

Second, Gogol goes to Yale. His proud parents are excited for his bright future that will include success and plenty of stability. But that is not what Gogol, now wanting to be called Nikhil after claiming he hates the name Gogol, wants to be. Nikhil wants to take courses in drawing, and look into architecture. As Nikhil he wants to go to parties and be more adventurous than Gogol. "But now that he's Nikhil it's easier to ignore his parents, to tune out their concerns and pleas." (Lahiri 105) He wants to be nothing that Gogol was, including obedient to his parents, putting respecting of his culture than his desires, and other submissive attributes of Gogol. He wants to be outgoing, charming, fun, and the guy that you want to be around. But is that really what he wants or what he wants to become.

Another point, Gogol has to face difficult challenges. Such as, his father's sudden death. Throughout the book we see as Gogol grows up. Progressing through the stages of being a teenager, hating his parents, and as a young adult, wanting his own life away from his parents. He learns about the train accident that his father was in, and finds a connection to his father he never had before. And his father shows his emotion for him saying, "You remind me of everything that followed (the accident)." (Lahiri 124) Gogol experiences emotion from his father, a rare sign, which he never sees. And connects with his name as he has never done before. With that in mind, this moment of father and son, I think helps Gogol continue on after his father's death. He moves on, but still keeps the good memories of his dad.

First Thoughts of "The Namesake"

So I have just read the first two chapters of Jhumpa Lahiri's The Namesake, and honestly I think so far it is the best book that I have read this year. The Indian culture, the trials, the people, etc. is so interesting and new to me, I really like reading about it.

First, so the main characters, Ashima and Ashoke, both from Calcutta, India. Having just gotten married, which was arranged by their parents. ""I love you sweetheart,' Words Ashima has neither heard nor expects to hear from her won husband; this is just how they are." (Lahiri 3) I find that arranging marriages is awful, and I would hate to be in that type of situation. But both Ashima and Ashoke accept what their traditions are and don't ask for anything beyond of what they know they will get. As they come to America and begin their lives together, it is difficult for Ashima. She is away from her traditions that she does know so well. She misses her family, and her way of life. "I;m saying I don't want to raise Gogol alone in this country. It's not right. I want to go back." (Lahiri 33) She is alone, no family, no friends, and now she has to learn on her own and raise a baby. I can't even fathom what she is thinking of or what she is feeling. All I would do is cry, cry for someone to understand and help me through this, but she has no one.

 The baby, oh the baby boy. There is so much for him America, a small intimate family. But then again he is missing so much according to his mother, his grandparents, uncles, aunts, food, culture, and he doesn't even have a proper name for himself. He is named after the author of the book that "saved" his father in a near death encounter on train. This boy has opportunity, and his parents are hoping they have done the right thing for him. I love that his parents love him, would do anything for him, give up their home for him. I respect them for that, and I would love to do that for my family, in hopes for their brighter future.