Answer:
In Jhumpa Lahiri's novel The Namesake, identity and change play important roles throughout the story and shapes
the characters to who they eventually become by the end of the novel. As the story beqins, it takes place in 1968
with Ashima Ganquli and her husband Ashoke as they await for the birth of their newborn child. The lovely couple
met in Calcutta, where their marriage was originally set up and arranged by their parents. Moving across the world
was a difficult decision but was made to satisfy family wishes. Ashoke who almost lost his life in a tragic train
accident is now a graduate student in electrical engineering at MIT.
In Cambridge, the baby was born and it turned out to be a boy named Gogol, inspired by the Russian writer Nikolai
Gogol. Originally Ashima's grandmother had the privilege to name the newborn but suffered a stroke delaying the
letter that was to be sent to the Ganqulis. The three settle and move into a Boston suburb where Ashoke finds a
job teaching his profession; electrical engineering. Here as well, Gogol starts school and after talking with his
teacher, is known around as Gogol'. Years pass, and Ashima is once again pregnant with a soon to be baby girl
named Sonia. When Gogol reaches high school, he tends to dislike his name thinking it is strange. Before attending
Yale University in the later years, Gogol officially changes his name to Nikhil. In college, Nikhil meets Ruth, and they
fall in love for about a year until he meets Maxine, someone who he dates seriously and introduces her to his Parents.
Explanation:
