Cultural Differences

The Namesake tells the story of a Hindu family's life in America.It's a tale of honoring tradition and culture, despite being so far away from their homeland.
In the first chapter, we learn about the contrasting types of relationships between a family from Calcutta, and a typical american relationship. The relationship focus is between a man and wife, the mans name being Ashoke, and the wifes being Ashima. They had an arranged marriage, which sends of the first real red flag that this is not your typical American couple. The story begins with Ashima being admitted to the hospital, being 2cm dialated. I found it quite interesting that upon arrival at the hospital, Ashoke just left Ashima with the staff. As a loving husbund in America, it is a tradition to stay with your wife while she goes into labor. While in the hospital Ashima hears a man say to his wife "I love you Sweetheart", Ashima makes an observation that her husbund would never utter those words to her. She also said that she couldn't call her husbund by his name, because his name is sacred and intimate. That is certainly not common in America.

In the next chapter we learn that Ashima gave birth to a healthy, 7 pound baby boy. Ashoke holds his baby boy for the first time and reflects back to his miracle, the day he was saved from a horrible train accident, he explains that his baby boy the second miracle of his life. I find it strange, that during feeding time, when Ashimas breasts would be exposed, Ashoke leaves the room, because again, in American culture that is not common. Ashima explains that she pitys her newborn son, because he is born into this world "alone and deprived", she says this because she is in America, away from her home, and what she wants to be the babys home. Next comes a very important part of the novel, the naming of the baby, it is said that in India names can wait, that children can wait years for the right name to comes along, an uncommon thought to Americans.


It is also stated in the novel that Ashimas Grandmother, who names the child, wears "Widows White" and upon furthur reaserch I found that often times in Indian culture, those who are widowed are shunned by family, are forced to wear this colour to make a statement, while in American culture, a widowing woman often finds herself surrounded by love.
The child ends up being name Gogol. After a short time of caring for the child in America, the news floods in that their has been a death in the family, so the three of them take off back to India.
In chapter three we learn that Ashoke has gotten a job at the University, so the family decides to stay outside of Boston, in this chapter we can start to see the family becoming more accustume to American culture, they live in the suburbs, own a Toyota, go to garage sales. Ashima explains that at first the thought of owning things that were originally used by Americans makes her uncomfortable, but she gets used to it, they can't afford the luxury of all brand new items. Once Gogol turns five, Ashima learns that she is once again pregnant. Instead of making the spicy, unique indian food, she eats toast, and watching The Price is Right. She has accepted her role as an American housewife. It's completely common for a woman to be a housewife in India, as well as America, but unlike most people in American, Ashima is not surrounded by loving family, and culural expiriences. At this point Gogol, has only been to Calcutta one time. Gogols father has now taken over the kitchen duties (another American custom). Gogols parents inform him that on his first day of kindergarden he will get a new name, this name is Nikhil. It is very unlike Americans to just change their name like this. Gogol doesn't like this Indian tradition, so he decides to tell his teacher that his name is Gogol, and he wishes to be called Gogol. Gogol was brought up in a relatively common AMERICAN household, therefor he wouldn't want to conform to these Indian traditions. Throughout the rest of the novel, Gogol will have to work to keep his culture alive, while also, accepting and loving his indian home.