Identity Formation and Assimilation of Ashima and Gogol in the United States

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Forming a new identity in a foreign country is not an easy task. Immigrants usually face challenges to identify themselves. Identity formation is the development of one’s distinctive personality due to particular reasons such as new environment, new culture and conflicts. During the process, some characters from Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Namesake either create or deny the bond with their own culture; some undergo conflicts among generations. Those processes reflect significantly in Ashima and Gogol throughout the book. The degree of assimilations determines to what extent the characters have formed the new identity in the new culture. Forming the bond with the traditions plays a vital role in the process of identity formation. In The Namesake, Ashima is the kind of person who creates an atmosphere in which continuity of traditions and values can be preserved as Chowdhury argues in her article, “[Immigrants] create close relationships with other immigrants and form a bond similar to the bond between extended family members [in their home country]” (2). Ashima holds the rice ceremony for her kids, at the same time it acts as a way to reject the idea of assimilating into American culture quickly. On the other hand, Gogol begins rebelling his parents on keeping their home outdated with traditional ceremony and food. “He grows bored of eating the same thing day after day, and one evening he discreetly pushes the remaining food to the side” (The Namesake 55). The two characters have different degrees in forming the bond with their own tradition due to the generation gaps. Similarly, Chowdhury states that the first generations were brought up with a certain set of traditions and norms, which enable them to maintain in the U.S whereas the sec... ... middle of paper ... ...he end of the book while keeping her identity as a Bengali woman. Thus, during the process of forming the new identity in the US, both Gogol and Ashima have integrated their social practices and norms into both American and Bengali communities. Works Cited Bhattacharyya, Srilata. "Intergenerational Conflicts In The Indian American Adolescents." International Journal Of Diversity In Organisations, Communities & Nations 9.4 (2009): 171-181. SocINDEX with Full Text. Web. 17 Nov. 2013. Chowdhury, Nahrin. "The Assimilation Of Bengali Immigrants In The United States." Conference Papers -- American Sociological Association(2005): 1-20. SocINDEX with Full Text. Web. 17 Nov. 2013. Dasgupta, Shamita Das. "Gender Roles And Cultural Continuity In The Asian Indian Immigrant Community In The U.S." Sex Roles 38.11/12 (1998): 953-974. SocINDEX with Full Text. Web. 17 Nov. 2013.

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