Week 2 Discussion (pages 34-67)

Happy Friday Scholars,

Hopefully you have read and enjoyed pages 1-67 of The Namesake. Is everyone able to access the blog and post questions, comments and/or concerns? I noticed that nobody has posted. Let's do this people!  Here are some questions to consider for the next section of the text:

1. How does Ashoke like his job as a professor?

2. Where does the Ganguli family move and what motivates the move?

3. Describe the Ganguli's new home and characterize their new neighbors?

4.Who is Sonia and what happens at her rice ceremony?

5. How are Ashoke and Ashima's children becoming true "Americans?"

6. What book does Gogol's father give him for his birthday?  Why doesn’t Gogol have an interest in this book?  What has his father told him about his name?  Why hasn’t Ashoke told him the whole truth, especially on this very important birthday?  Where does Gogol believe his father’s limp comes from?  Why doesn’t Gogol like his name at this point in his life?

7. Why does the family go to Calcutta, India for eight months?  What adjustments do Gogol and Sonia have to make in their life in Calcutta?

8. What effect does the family’s visit to the Taj Mahal have on Gogol?

9. After the family’s return to the States, what book does Mr. Lawson, the English teacher, assign to the class?  How does Mr. Lawson’s account of Nikolai Gogol’s life affect Gogol? 

10.   Why don’t Ashima and Ashoke find it strange that Gogol doesn’t date?

Think about your responses. You do not need to answer all the questions here unless you would like to do so. Instead, use the questions to explore the themes of the reading.

The novel is called The Namesake. As you are recognizing, Gogol's story is one of establishing his own identity while embracing aspects of his American and Indian cultures. This presents challenges to him as he grows older. Consider this as you prepare your response. We look forward to the discussion.