Essay On The Namesake By Jhumpa Lahiri

When emerging into a new culture, many find it difficult to adapt to new customs that have not always been presented to them. Jhumpa Lahiri, novelist of The Namesake and Mira Nair director of the movie based off the novel, both create a way for people to understand the pressure placed upon individuals who are trying to fit into a new society. The book and movie are both accurately able to show struggles faced in a new environment, the importance of religion, and becoming at peace with what cannot be changed. Many people find it difficult to start a new life where everything one believed was right suddenly becomes wrong. Ashima, wife of Ashoke, has moved across the world and feels like a stranger in a new land. “There’s something missing” said Lahiri. The narrator depicted the loneliness Ashima felt away from her home in India (Lahiri 1). Ashima is lost, because her whole life she was made to live life a certain way and now must learn to adapt to new things at an older age. As Ashima became settled in their little apartment in Massachusetts, she became pregnant with her first child Gogol. Gogol was named after the author of his father’s favorite books. When Gogol was born, his mother’s

Through the many struggles faced by each character, a little piece of information was given to the people. The readers were able to understand the position the characters faced and how the situation can be related to them. As presented in the book and movie, knowing where one comes from is always in their heart. Even when experiencing difficulties to be accepted into a new society, a piece of the individual and the roots passed down from generations will guide them. Gogol was guided by both his parents to learn about the true value of where home is. Home is where the heart is, no matter how far one travels or changes themselves to escape