The Namesake

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The novel The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri details the life of Gogol Ganguli, following him from birth, through childhood, and into adulthood. Growing up, Gogol struggles with his unusual name because it is a constant reminder that he is different from the American society around him, and eventually changes it to Nikhil. Lahiri also uses the motif of names to craft a message about the theme of marriage in the novel: one must humanize and empathize with their partner in order for a marriage to be successful. Lahiri contrasts the different names the characters use for each other to show how a name can humanize a person and strengthen their relationships. Moushumi has an affair with Dimitri Desjardins as her marriage to Gogol begins to deteriorate.

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