Essay on the Namesake

In the end of Jhumpa Lahiri's The Namesake, Nikhil Ganguli does feel privileged to come from both a Bengali and an American background. In the beginning, he goes through many inner conflicts that lead him to feel burdened by his culture. However, in the end, he is able to accept his past and culture for what they are.

The very first sign of Nikhil's original discomfort with his heritage was his petition to change his name. Because he wanted a new name, he showed that he did not appreciate the meaning of the name, therefore not understanding the full cultural meaning. However, at the end of the story, Gogol realizes that hearing his name vanish "provides no sense of victory, no solace" (page 289). He accepted the name he was given.

Another thing that reflects who someone is is who they choose to be with. For example, a native Chinese girl most likely would not want to be with an American boy. However, a Chinese girl who did not have strong ties to her culture might feel differently. In the same way, Nikhil started out with two women who were not Bengali Indians, showing the readers that perhaps he did not want to bring his race into his relationships. Despite this, he still chose an Indian girl from his childhood to marry. This shows the readers that he has come to further accept his culture.

Nikhil also has the privilege to have the best of both worlds. The book focuses on him being torn between two very different backgrounds. The author mentions many various American pastimes, such as the college parties, the drinking, and eating American food at American places. Through all that, bits of his Bengali culture show. While describing his married life, Lahiri writes, "But sometimes, on a Sunday, both craving the food they'd grown up eating, they ride the train out to the Queens and have brunch at Jackson Diner, piling their plates with tandoori chicken..." (page 229). No matter how he runs from it, his heritage is not far behind.

Two cultures mean more opportunities for anyone who experiences both. Though Nikhil struggles much to accept and deal with the culture clash, he finally learns that it is actually a great honor to be from two different nationalities. Through dealing with his name, his past, and his family, Nikhil realizes that being the product of two cultures has many more benefits than what meets the eye.