Lauryn hill once said: “All humanity lives in a dream-world, but suffers real consequences”(Medrut). The Namesake, by Jhumpa lahiri, has several characters who are trying to discover their identity despite their impulsive actions and minimal consideration of the consequences. Gogol, Moushumi, and other characters’ identities change as they grow up from being simple, hidden children into opinionated, independent individuals, who decide their own fate, regardless of what others think. Gogol’s growing identity becomes apparent when the characters around him initiate events that lead to his becoming more prepared to take decisions and start intimate relationships. This is despite the bad results. Moushumi is also able to develop her identity by making decisions that are influenced by sentimental consequences.
Gogol’s dissension with his surrounding people and their dissimilarity fuels him to make decisions on his own, despite the consequences. Gogol feels relief when he learns that his name has changed to Nikhil. It is not all good news, however, because he soon discovers how important and influential the name of Gogol can be. Ashoke’s visit to Gogol University makes Gogol “wonder if he’s lonely” (Lahiri 122) due to their limited interaction. Ashoke tells Gogol about “the night he almost died, and the book he saved” (123), which overwhelms him. His original name now “means a completely different thing” (123). Gogol is unwittingly pleased with himself for changing his name. He begins to realize that Nikhil, who was hidden and legally diminished by Gogol, will continue to live, publicly. Gogol’s visionary nature for the future prompts him act on his strong desires. He is compelled to do so by his desire to be independent. His parents’ beliefs are challenged and he continues the battle. Gogol’s negativity evokes his negative feelings and thoughts towards his father, causing him to “[find] it easier to ignore, to tune-out, their concerns and appeals” (105). His parents, however, don’t believe that Gogol is an American teenager. Gogol is limited by his own judgment and his backwards mindset, leading him to do nothing but sleep and eat at home (107), creating a distant and lonely relationship. Ashima & Ashoke adore Gogol’s company, yet he often feels relieved by his dissociation, despite recognizing the wasted time. Maxine is not compatible with Gogol because she has a very open past. She shows him photos of her ex-boyfriends, and speaks of them without regret or embarrassment. Gogol’s remorse over Ashoke’s death is heightened by the fact that he feels guilty for throwing away food from his fathers apartment (175). This is why Gogol’s dissatisfaction would be eliminated by acts of love and incorporation, which would lead to a reduction in the level of his displeasure.
Gogol develops a number of intimate relationships in New York that are exhilarating, but their unconventional results lead to adversity. Gogol is able to experience his first true feelings of love when his relationship with Ruth grows. He becomes despondent and disoriented, but this feeling quickly disappears once she leaves. After Ruth leaves for Oxford, the relationship between the two quickly diminishes. This distance, which caused Gogol to feel discouraged during his Yale years, has made him “sick” (117). Gogol shows gratitude that his relationship has blossomed with Maxine even though he believes she takes away valuable family time. Gogol is upset that Maxine was not included in the plans for the family to go to Calcutta, even though the death of Ashoke had a profound effect on his family. Maxine’s constant need for compassion is a result of Gogol feeling less inclined than usual to share with her his history. Their separation occurs as she feels jealousy of his mother and sisters (188). This further depresses Gogol. Gogol is happy to marry Moushumi and believes that their marriage will be forever blissful. However, Moushumi’s unfaithfulness and impulsive behavior makes him less optimistic. Gogol is numbed by the secrecy of Moushumi’s affair, which leads to their divorce. It is because of this that all the kindness and generosity he has shown to Moushumi have been in vain. A well-thought out and appropriate approach, like learning more about the partner, can ultimately lead his relationships to spiral downwards, despite what they used to do for his personal identity.
Moushumi experiences a similar transformation in her identity when she takes responsibility for her actions, despite the fact that this can have negative consequences and diminishes her “flawless-ness”. Moushumi is empowered by her parents to be more independent, but they actively resist it. Moushumi ignores her father, despite his urgings to do so, and instead pursues “a French double major” (214). This allows her to overcome any feelings of guilt or (misgivings), or expectation. Moushumi becomes more determined to follow her own decision as her parents are less receptive to her opinion. However, they do not support her in her efforts to obtain a post-secondary degree. Moushumi, confined by discord, is driven to rebel against her parents without cutting all ties. After her parents warned her against marrying an American, she made a pact to never marry a Bengali. She feels liberated from her parent’s wishes but regrets it as she sees how difficult it is to restrain herself and only have relationships with Anglo Saxons. Although Gogol and Moushumi begin their relationship passionately, the young woman soon finds herself restrained by her marriage and feels compelled to find other men to please her. Dimitri and she have an instant affair after reconciling. This causes her to be apprehensive, because “she is afraid that Gogol will feel something, that he’ll put his arms round her and instantly notice” (265) when she’s away on Mondays or Wednesdays. Her resolution reveals that she is deceiving Gogol. However, when she accidentally divulges the affair, it shows her inattention and her willingness to lie. Moushumi’s readiness to make her decisions has disastrous results. She could have avoided these consequences by making an educated decision.
Gogol & Moushumi change their identities. They go from misrepresented and simplistic children to self assured individuals who are able to make their own decisions, independent of other people’s shrewdness, despite the implications that they discover. Gogol’s impulsive behaviors lead him to begin relationships and make decisions for himself despite the negative outcomes. Moushumi, driven by her desire to be known, makes decisions that are not always the best, but she does so anyway. Gogol and Moushumi, by giving in to their impulses and acting on them, cause a ripple that suggests that they “live in a fantasy world” and “suffer real consequences”.