The Namesake (219-291)

Answer 1 (just one) of the following questions:

1. Why only now, after everything that has happened to him, can Gogol begin to accept himself and desire to learn about his namesake?

2. This year we're going to read, write, and talk a lot about the American Dream - who defines it and who can achieve it. Which of our characters most fulfills the American Dream in your mind and why: (choose 1) Ashoke, Ashima, Gogol, Sonia, or Moushumi?

The Namesake (159-218)

Things continue to change for Gogol. What pieces of his identity has he lost? What has he gained? Does he have a clear sense of his own identity? What is a person's identity comprised (made up) of?

The Namesake (72-158)

Gogol changed his name to Nikhil and seems to have adopted a new lifestyle. Has his identity changed? He has three homes: one in the studio apartment by himself, one with Maxine, Gerald, and Lydia at their 5 story house in Chelsea, and one with his family at Pemberton Road. Where do you think he belongs most? Has he even found a place to belong?

The Namesake (1-71)

Props to Lissandra and Marta who completed all of three posts correctly and on time.

Reminders:

Sign your post with a name I will recognize as yours. If I don't know it's you, I can't give you credit.

Posting late is WAY better than not posting at all. Get on it. This is 10% of your grade.

Remind your friends, please.

If you delete your post, I can't read it and therefore can't give you credit.

Now, to the good stuff. Yes, The Namesake is longer than Fahrenheit 451. It's also less complicated and abstract. I read it on a 3 hour plane flight. No excuses.

Choose 1 (just one) of the following questions to answer:

1. Why did Ashoke choose to name his son Gogol? What significance does this name have for him, and how is that related to his son?

2. Discuss the symbolism of the grandmother's letter with the names getting lost, her death, and how both of these thing affect Ashima.

3. What is the significance of Sonia's name and how it evolved?

4. Symbolically, what is the significance of a pet name vs. a good name? What does it mean that Gogol only has one?

5. Explain the symbolism of the scene in the graveyard that helps Gogol finally make peace with his name.