The Namesake (Part 1)

        Honestly, before reading this book, I thought it was gonna be super boring (at least for few chapters) but It actually didn't turn out like that. You can relate to almost all of the events that are happening and It helps you to get an understanding of other cultures. It focuses on multiple different topics in only four chapters such as immigration, naming, re-birth... I already wanna read the other chapters but I waited to write this blog. Also when I read ahead, I spoil all of the other chapters. I hate when people tell me what happens at the end of the book I'm reading. 

        Anyways, there is a reason why I chose the title "from an immigrant perspective" for my blog. I lived in different countries as Turkey and USA before coming to Canada. And after reading The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri, I found very strong connections with the characters and what they've gone through.

        What I found interesting about this book is, even though people have different cultures and personalities, they often go through the exact same feelings and stages of culture shock when they leave their home. It takes a different period of times for adaptation on each person individually, but they all go through the same process. Excitement, frustration, surface adjustments, cultural/personal issues, and adaptation. When I first moved to America with my family, I've gone through the same stages. I was excited at first to learn English and live in a different country, but once I started going to my school, it was frustrating. I had so much to learn, so many things to do in order to fit in. First two months, I just wanted to go back to Turkey and go back to my old life where I was comfortable. But once I accepted the fact that New Jersey is my home, and learnt more about the culture, I started feeling more comfortable. I got used to the language, the system in New Jersey, and to my new friends.

(Few weeks into a new country)

(Next few months)

        Now let's think about the character Ashima. She makes it so obvious throughout these chapters that she misses her home back in Calcutta. I think the biggest reason for this is because she moves to America unwillingly (it was not her decision). When she first moved to Massachusetts with Ashoke, she goes out for shopping and exploring. When she comes home, she talks about her times outside which shows her excitement. But later on, it turns into anxiety and frustration for her. She is homesick and alone all the time because Ashoke is busy studying. She finds it challenging and difficult because it's so much different than Calcutta. “For being a foreigner Ashima is beginning to realize, is a sort of lifelong pregnancy -- a perpetual wait, a constant burden, a continuous feeling out of sorts. It is an ongoing responsibility, a parenthesis in what had once been an ordinary life, only to discover that previous life has vanished, replaced by something more complicated and demanding.” (Lahiri 49-50). But as the time passes by, eventually, they start getting to know people, finding Bengali friends (which I think is a huge motivation for Ashima), and get comfortable with their new home. Once Ashima gives birth to Gogol and Sonia, we can see her shift in the story from her depressed times to parenting times.
        
        Ashima, of course was not the only character I related. Also, Gogol made me realize that most people don't like their names until one point they realize every name is unique in its own way. What do I mean by that? Every name demontrate people's background, culture or even their personalities. Have you guys ever thought about changing your name, especially when you were little? Well I did. And most of the people I knew back then also wanted to have another name. "I'm Nikhil, he says for the first time in his life" (Lahiri 96). Gogol is finally satisfied with his name when he can just expresses himself as Nikhil. It was his choice and I think he feels more independent from his parents. But I have a strong feeling he is going to regret not appreciating the name (Gogol) that was given to him by his parents. Gogol is not just a name by a Russian author, but it's the author of the book which saved Ashoke's life.

        Similarly, I didn't like my name when I was a kid. I didn't like it because it was too common in Turkey. There were at least two or three Zeynep in one classroom, and it got to the point that the teachers started to assign numbers to our names. Like Zeynep 1, Zeynep 2, and Zeynep 3. I was number 2 by the way. I wanted my name to feel unique so, in middle school, I started introducing myself with my middle name, Sude. Just like Gogol introducing himself as Nikhil. I felt more comfortable and confident in my name just because it was not common. I got to admit it, it felt really good at first. But, then, somethings made me realize I should be way more confident with using my first name rather than my middle name. When I moved to New Jersey, they started calling me Zeynep. There were two main reasons that changed my mind on my first name. First one was the fact that I was the only international student in New Jersey (only one with non-American background), and people found my name really interesting. They even shortened it because some people couldn't say it, so they called me Zey. Second reason was that one time I decided to look up what Sude means, and immediately stopped using it.

        Not because it reflects my personality or anything, I just felt uncomfortable. Also, it is sort of weird how it also means "dead". Honestly, what kind of parents name their kid without looking at the meaning? Oh wait, my parents. It just didn't make sense for me to use Sude anymore. Also, I understand why my parents decided to name me Zeynep because it was my grand-grand mother's name who they admired a lot. I just respected their decision and I'm expecting the same from Gogol. Every name is unique on their own and all of them has different stories.  

        (Also, I found this Ted Talk really interesting since it talks about how our name impacts our future and personality if you want to check it out.)

         Every person reacts to this immigration process differently. It's an easy and quick process for some people, while it's a tough and long process for some other people. If you could move to a different country right now, do you guys think it would be an easy process for you? If not, why? What makes it hard? Also, did you ever wanted to change your name? 

See you guys next Thursday!!