...Caught between cultures, the children of immigrants often face stark choices between traditional and modern values. Usually, a fragile balance is achieved. But in the most wrenching cases, the scales can tip wildly, and sometimes violently...

It is not surprising, then, that Jhump

During his short life, Gogol tries to wear other people's coats. Some are too large, some too small. Now, perhaps, that he is beginning to develop some shape and form, he will find his own coat, rather than trying on someone elses. In the past it made him uneasy that he had two different names and a namesake unlike anyone else's. However, now he can accept this. Because of his Bengali parentage and culture and his American upbringing, he is unlike anyone else. That, he finally understands, is all right.

Unfortunately, for Lahiri, the reviews have been mixed. Part of this, most likely, is because of too high expectations. However, there is another reason as well that should be recognized as a positive not a negative. Many of the readers, both consumers and literary critics, did not like The Namesake because, they said, there were no strong role models. Gogol is seen as a weak and nebulous character, at best, and a spoiled brat and egotist at worst.

There is no way that the new parents will follow the American tradition of naming the child after a father, grandfather, daughter or grandmother. "This sign of respect in America and Europe, this symbol of heritage and lineage, would be ridiculed in India. Within Bengali families, individual names are sacred, inviolable. They are not meant to be inherited or shared" (28). When it is suggested that they put down the temporary title "Baby Boy Ganguli, Ashima and Ashoke decide instead to use a pet name on the birth certificate. The "pet" name is what Bengali families use for their children among themselves, close family and friends in contrast to the names that are used for formal purposes.

When Lahiri first announced that she was going to write her first novel, many people were looking forward to it. Her prior short stories, Interpreter of Maladies had won her much world acclaim including the Pulitzer Prize. This made her the first person of South Asian origin to win an individual prize. She was also named one of the best 20 writers under the age of 40 by the "New Yorker." Her title story was selected for the

Gogol recalls his father's laughter when they once shared a loving afternoon journey at the ocean. "Will you remember this day, Gogol?" his father had asked, turning back to look at him, his hands pressed like earmuffs to either side of his head. "How long do I have to remember it?" His father laughed: "Try to remember it always...Remember that you and I made this journey, that we went together to a place where there was nowhere else left to go."

Gogol's parents find a happy medium between their two lives. They make a number of Bengali friends, while keeping some Indian traditions and combining others such as having Thanksgiving turkey with cumin. Although Ashima continues to don her saris and sandals, Ashoke wears American clothes. They let Gobol and his sister fill the supermarket cart with food that previously would never have been allowed in the house, such as tuna fish, hot dogs, cold cuts and mayonnaise. Gogol excels at sports in the public school, but also attends Bengali language and culture classes. The family travels to Calcutta, but enjoys holidays like Halloween.

After his father's death, Gogol tries another coat on for size--marrying a Bengali woman. He knew her through his parents' friends. However, the relationship is doomed from the start, because she is just as confused and torn between lives as he is.

Gogol's relief with Maxine's world remains until his father suddenly dies. It is only then that he begins to look at life as it really is, not through blinders. He starts to look inward and lets earlier memories come alive. Coming face to face with reality is hastened as Maxine cannot understand nor accept his sense of familial duty. Surprisingly, Gogol even feels some comfort from being once again immersed in his culture and finding some structure:

a Lahiri's first novel, Namesake, deals with this subject of alienation and uncertainty a

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 3088
Approximate Pages = 12 (250 words per page double spaced)