How is the idea of the importance of names developed in this selection in the book by any other name
In the book "By Any Other Name" by Santha Rama Rau, the importance of names is developed through the experiences of the protagonist, Santha, and the way she is forced to adapt to a new name and identity.
At the beginning of the selection, Santha's father realizes that their Indian names will mark them as outsiders in the predominantly English environment of the school they will be attending. This highlights how names can be a symbol of cultural identity and can affect one's sense of belonging. As a result, Santha and her sister Premila are given new names, Cynthia and Pamela, respectively, in order to assimilate better into their new school.
Throughout the story, the new names become a source of constant reminders of their changed identities. Santha, especially, struggles with her new name as it represents a detachment from her Indian heritage and the cultural customs she is accustomed to. It becomes a constant reminder of her otherness and the pressure to conform to the British way of life.
Furthermore, the importance of names is also evident in the way Santha's teacher consistently mispronounces their new names, emphasizing the significance of proper pronunciation and the respect that comes with it. This reinforces the idea that names hold power and can influence how one is perceived by others.
Towards the end of the selection, Santha's father advises her to hold onto her Indian name, suggesting that one's true identity and sense of self should not be compromised for the sake of assimilation. This sparks a realization for Santha about the significance of names and the importance of embracing one's cultural heritage.
Overall, the development of the importance of names in this selection highlights the struggle of identity and the pressure to conform that Santha experiences. It underscores how names can both shape and challenge one's sense of self, and emphasizes the importance of staying true to one's cultural background and identity.
In the book "By Any Other Name" by John W. Foster, the idea of the importance of names is developed in a few key ways:
1. Cultural Identity: The story revolves around two sisters, Santha and Lakshmi, who are forced to change their names from their Indian names to more English-sounding names, Cynthia and Grace. This name change represents the cultural assimilation and British colonial influence on their identities. It highlights how names can reflect and shape one's cultural identity.
2. Power and Control: The act of changing their names is imposed upon the sisters by the British school authorities. This reflects the power dynamics and control the colonizers exerted over the colonized. By changing their names, the authority figures strip away the girls' sense of self and agency, asserting their dominance.
3. Loss of Heritage and Connection: The renaming process distances the sisters from their Indian heritage. Their original names carried cultural significance and connected them to their roots and family history. The new names given to them erase that connection, leading to a sense of loss and disorientation.
4. Reclaiming Identity: Throughout the story, the sisters subtly resist the erasure of their cultural identity by holding onto their Indian names in their hearts. They refuse to fully embrace their new names and rebel against the attempt to diminish their sense of self. This highlights the significance of names in preserving one's identity and the power of reclaiming it.
Overall, the idea of the importance of names in "By Any Other Name" emphasizes the role of names as markers of cultural identity, symbols of power and control, and means of individuality and connection.