, by Pulitzer Prize winner Indian-American writer Jhumpa Lahiri, is a story about first- and second-generation immigrants and the intergenerational and cultural differences they experience while living in the United States. It is a critical examination of the concept of nation and cultural memory as they intersect with the complex interplay between private and collective identity. The story revolves around the difficulties faced by Ashima and Ashoke Ganguli – South Asian immigrant parents from West Bengal – and their American-born children, Gogol and Sonia. Although all four struggle with the constant pressure to juggle distinct, multiple, and hybrid cultural identities, the narrative focuses on Gogol.
The Namesakeis his coming-of-age story.
Written in a tense prose
1683 words
Citation: Pedri, Nancy. "The Namesake". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 22 May 2011 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=25332, accessed 25 November 2024.]
