Answer these questions about "The Namesake"
. Write two body paragraphs explaining what you believe to be Gogol's idea of home and his identity across his four main life stages: child, student, young adult (in college), and adult.
. Be sure to discuss how Point-of-View is used to help the reader know Gogol's idea of home.
. Use at least two direct quotes from the novel to support your ideas.
Throughout "The Namesake," Gogol's idea of home and his identity evolve and change as he goes through the different life stages of childhood, student life, young adulthood in college, and adulthood. As a child, Gogol struggles with his connection to his Bengali roots and his American surroundings, feeling torn between the two. At this stage, home for him is a place of confusion and conflict. The narrator in the novel, which is written in the third-person omniscient point-of-view, gives insight into Gogol's inner turmoil and struggles with his identity. For example, when he is asked to choose a name for himself in school, the narrator reveals, "He is afraid of betraying his father, feeling unfaithful to his grandmother, who speaks to him in Bengali, a language he is reluctant to answer in, embarrassed." This quote shows how Gogol's idea of home is tied to his family and cultural background, but also influenced by societal expectations and pressures.
As Gogol progresses to his student life and young adulthood in college, his idea of home begins to shift as he starts to embrace his cultural heritage more. At this stage, home becomes a place of self-discovery and acceptance. The narrator continues to provide insights into Gogol's inner thoughts and feelings, helping the reader understand his evolving sense of home. For instance, when Gogol visits Calcutta and spends time with relatives, the narrator describes, "Gogol feels as if he has been granted that most elusive of things, an old-fashioned sense of extended family, of stability." This quote demonstrates how Gogol's idea of home expands to include not just physical spaces but also emotional connections and relationships. The point-of-view used in the novel allows the reader to see Gogol's growth and development in understanding where he belongs and who he truly is.