Namesake dictionary definition namesake defined yourdictionary. Fortunately, its usually easy to figure out which version. Incessantly looking for meanings about his existence, but aware of the legacy. The namesake is a novel of selfdiscovery that is an emotional journey its readers will not soon forget.
Ashimas marriage is an arranged one and therefore is lacking in the strong emotions of an american marriage, leaving ashima feeling. During a conversation about names, moushumi reveals to the group that hers means. When ashima ganguli becomes pregnant with her first child she has only lived in america for a short time and is still getting used to the unusual culture. In the namesake, objects say a lot about the social status of the characters check out society and class under themes if you need a refresher. Ashima and askoke want to give their son a name that will add meaning and 3 dawes. The gangulis move to a boston suburb, a university town where ashoke has found a job teaching electrical engineering.
Jhumpa lahiri writing styles in the namesake jhumpa lahiri this study guide consists of approximately 41 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of the namesake. The year is 1968, and ashima ganguli, a bengali woman who has recently moved to cambridge, massachusetts with her new husband, is about to give birth. For some people finding out who they are is not exactly the hardest thing. Artistic objects such as paintings, books, or photographs carry particular meaning. Definition of namesake in the legal dictionary by free online english. A struggle for identity published by nsuworks, 2007.
Namesake definition and meaning collins english dictionary. Soon their son is born, in the foreign environment of the american hospital. One chosen by his maternal greatgrandmother would have be sacred and perfect in every way. Namesake definition of namesake by the free dictionary. He had been reading his favourite story the overcoat when the accident had happened. Someones or somethings namesake has the same name as they do. However, if we take the criminal offense of official. Moushumi and gogol have very little input into what is said and done, and throughout the proceedings, they see each other and talk to each other. Gogol begins school, and although his parents have settled on an official name, nikhil, for him to use. Essay on the namesake by jhumpa lahiri 1446 words bartleby. Ashoke reflects on how lucky this boy isthe baby receives the present of a book from a bengali friend. Gogol and moushumi both choose professions that are not in medicine, engineering, or the sciences, as their parents would prefer.
When this was not possible, ashoke gave his son a name that represented hope for a better life and second. The namesake is the story of two generations of the gangulis, a family of indian immigrants to the united states. The definition of a namesake is a person named after someone. But in 21stcentury usage, namesake is often applied to the source of the name, making john, sr. The namesake quizzes about important details and events in every section of the book.
For instance, ashima refuses to display the rubbings of gravestones young gogol makes with his classmates. Lahiri explores in several ways the difficulty of reconciling crosscultural rituals around death and dying. What is meant by the word namesake in the namesake. Information and translations of namesake in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. The namesake by jhumpa lahiri, chapters vocabulary list. The namesake by jhumpa lahiri book club discussion. Here, the word cavalcade simply means a colorful display but the image of the given definition could be used to exaggerate the number and. The intertextual dimension of otherness in jhumpa lahiris the. Gogol begins preschool, then kindergarten, and ashima misses spending time with him, and walking around the neighborhood. In the waiting room of the hospital, ashoke remembers how in 1961, as he was taking the train from calcutta to jamshedpur to visit his grandfather and collect the books he was to. Books are records of the past and carriers of names, as in the case.
Namesake meaning in the cambridge english dictionary. In american english, the traditional definition of namesake is one who is named after another. The namesake by jhumpa lahiri plot summary litcharts. Books play an important role in many key scenes in the novel, beginning in the first chapter with the young ashokes allconsuming love for thema love that saves his life, and gives gogol his nameand ending with gogols chance discovery of the book his father had given him for his birthday more than a decade before. In jhumpa lahiris book, the word namesake references the human search for meaning. Reviewing the russian connection he had been traumatized since the accident claustrophobia and nightmares brought back haunting memories of that train accident throughout his. The overused description of jhumpa lahiris novel the namesake 2003 as diasporic. The namesake, is a book about how life can be difficult in a new country for immigrants trying to raise a son with mixed cultures. Gogol, the son of these immigrant parents grows up wanting to assimilate himself in this new cultural but ultimately seeking to. Her husband, ashoke, accompanies her to the hospital in a taxi. The word essentially encompasses gogol nikhils struggle for identity. The sand on its namesake beach turns gray as the sun dips behind the two brothers, twin granite spires at the far side of the bay. Namesake definition is one that has the same name as another.