Transformation Of Indian Culture In The Namesake By Nikolai Gogul

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The Namesake is a multi-perspective framed narrative clearly dividing one’s struggle to identify when multiple cultural dimensions come into scene. Nikolai Gogul is referenced on account of “Gogul” the second-generation son of Ashoke and Ashima. Ashoke and Ashima immigrated to America after a traditional arranged marriage. Nikolai Gogul is a Ukrainian author that deeply engraves values from Ashoke and Ashima’s home culture (India) to their American host culture. Cultural hegemony is a main concern as Ashoke and Ashima see their children turning to American culture to fit in and leave their Indian heritage behind. The concern of maintaining their culture is not the only issue Ashoke and Ashima meet along their journey. Cultural adaption, culture shock, integration, segregation and separation are noticed and critiqued between scenes as Ashoke and Ashima intercept these hardships.
As the movie, The Namesake assimilates the transition between the two generations. For instance, when son, Gogul wants to change his name after visiting the Taj Mahal, the family system becomes disrupted as Gogul’s symbolic name is changed to Nick. In Indian culture, there is value in the name. In the birth scene of Gogul, Ashoke and Ashima do not understand the rush when the administrator asks what Gogul’s name is. Ashoke and Ashima both do no understand this concept since in Indian culture it takes much longer, with the name initialed by the grandmother. The Namesake focus for symbolic meanings is most notable during and after the name scene. Rushing the naming sequence seems to rush all aspects of the immigration integration. Without references to Nikolai Gogul, the movie simply becomes another account of an Asian American family trying to find thems...

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...ng love all the same. This culture is a culture many could learn from. The Namesake has a message to send to the masses, the message is to respect all cultures and to dive into them if it appeals to you. It is important to respect all cultures and stay pure away from ethnocentrism. Accents and clothing do not depict who you are as a person. The Namesake performs as a bridge to close the gaps and perceptions placed on immigrants and immigrants transitioning in this culture. This movie, if anything moves me to dive into this culture head first and exist and learn from this ethic group for a period of time. It is important to have a lack of identity in a foreign place to become familiar with what immigrants may feel. Spend time wandering and learning appropriate dress and actions and you too will find it difficult in transitioning into a culture other than your own.

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