The Quest for Identity Essay Example for Free

The Quest for Identity EssayIn some point of our lives, we all try to find our identities try to find a transport that we can fit in completely. Most people struggle, some does non. The question of identity is especially difficult for immigrants and their coming generations since they have different cultures and different views. In the novel The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri, the main character Gogol struggles with his cultural identity due to the ideological difference between him and his parents on the c erstpt of name. According to Bengali label traditions, everyone has two names, a pet name and a heartfelt name.The good name is for the public to use, the pet name is for family and friends to use in private places, it is similarly a persistent remnant of childhood, a reminder that life is non always so serious, so formal, so complicated. They are a reminder, too, that one is not all things to all people (26). Different traditions represent different cultures In the United S tates, many people name their son after the father or the grandfather to honor the elders and also act as a symbol of heritage. On another hand in India, every name is sacred and cannot be inherited.Ashima and Ashoke decided to name their first child Gogol, this name doesnt just represent the life of this child, it also represents the life of the father-Ashoke. However, this shapeless and weightless name has pass a burden of Gogols life for a long long time. The first lesson that Gogol learns about his names is at the towns public mere(a) school. At first, he does not want to go to kindergarten because his parents have told him that he get out be call a new name-Nikhil at school which he does not want and does not understand.He is afraid to be Nikhil, someone he doesnt know (57). Of course, he is not the only one who doesnt understand about the pet name and the good name. When Ashoke tries to explain to the principal Mrs. Lapidus about why they want her to call Gogol Nikhil, Mrs. Lapidus tries to understand, only ends up in surprise due to the cultural difference. Im not sure I follow you, Mr. Ganguli. Do you mean that Nikhil is a middle name? Or a nickname?Many of the children go by nicknames here (58). She has never deal with this issue before, even with the other Indian students at school. And the big problem with this is that Gogol does not respond to the name Nikhil. Therefore, Mrs. Lapidus decides to ask Gogol about his own touch towards this new name, Gogol shakes his head as his answer, so Mrs. Lapidus writes a note to Ashima and Ashoke telling them Gogol will be known as Gogol instead of Nikhil at school due to his preference.In here, Gogol is just a kid who doesnt understand about his culture, but at the same time, the author is trying to hint us that even though Gogol is an Indian looking kid, he is Americanized his thoughts are very different from his parents who are usual Indians. And in the United States, his parents thoughts are not so o riginal which increases the gap between Gogol and his parents. As Gogol is getting older, he then realizes how unusual his name is. As an Indian-American, his name is neither Indian nor American, but Russian.He does not know about the story behind his name yet, all he knows is that he starts to despise his name. Before he goes to college, he decides to transport his name to Nikhil officially. It seems the like he believes that changing his name would make him who he wants to be. So he goes home and asks for his parents opinion and complaints about his name. I dont get it. Why did you have to relent me a pet name in the first place? Whats the point? Its our way, Gogol, his mother maintained. Its what Bengalis do (99). Until this point, Gogol still doesnt accept this naming tradition because he feels inferior for his name.However, The only person who didnt take Gogol seriously, the only person who tormented him, the only person chronically aware of and afflicted by the embarrassm ent of his name, the only person who constantly questioned it and wished it were otherwise, was Gogol (100). The conversation ends with a sentence by Ashoke, In America anything is possible. Do as you wish (100). This sentence sounds normal, but it is filled with helplessness and sadness. Ashima and Ashoke cant change anything, they are just two Indians living in America, no one cares about them, not even their son. They have no choice but to give in (60).Now, he is officially Nikhil, but Gogol is still like a splinter in his heart. He doesnt want to touch it, doesnt like to talk about it, but the dull pain inside his heart always reminds him that its there. After Ashokes death, he learns to seize the time with Ashima. barely when he knows that Ashima is planning to move back to India, he suddenly realizes that Without people in the world to call him Gogol, no matter how long he himself lives, Gogol Ganguli will, once and for all, vanish from the lips of loved ones, and so, cease t o exist.Yet the thought of this eventual demise provides no sense of victory, no solace. It provides no solace at all (289). He finally realizes that as he gets mature, his love once are getting older too. His name will die just like the people. This shows that finally accepted himself as a whole, and this name is part of him. Maybe Gogol is not who he wants to be, but Gogol is who he really is. Ashima and Ashoke are the first generation immigrants, they consider themselves Indians, but learning to adjust their minds and live like Americans.Struggles are parts of their daily lives. Gogol, as an American born Indian, he has an Indian appearance, but growing up in America and getting American education make him a real American inside. Living with a pet name and a good name, in a place where such distinctions do not exist-surely that was emblematic of the greatest confusion of all (118). No wonder, the quest for identity is exhausting, but eventually, you will get to the destination. O pen your mind, accepts who you really are, life is beautiful.