The Namesake - Essay Example

Introduction

The Namesake is a novel written by Jhumpa Lahiri, whose plot is composed of a wide variety of themes. Culture is one of the major issues that shape the plot of the story. The main characters are from different cultures; at the beginning of the story. Therefore, there is a barrier that creates complexity in the way they relate. However, there are efforts by the characters to ensure they beat the odds and relate like they are from the same cultural background. The story highlights a major aspect of contemporary relationships and ways of life. In modern society, people do not discriminate against one another based on their cultural background. Individuals associate freely despite the differences that exist in their opinion about various issues in life.

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Furthermore, closely associated with the use of culture is the highlight of identity in society. Individuals derive their identity from the culture they are affiliated to. However, the identity that people associate with culture in modern society is not as strong as before. Individuals compromise various aspects of their identity to accommodate people with different perspectives. Identity stretches over many generations; therefore, it is essential to celebrate the unique attributes that an individual has. However, the appreciation of the individual’s unique identity should no lead to discrimination against people that are considered different from them. The issue of using identity positively is evident in the novel; as there is a highlight of a contemporary society; which embraces diversity.

Culture and Plot

Various issues are highlighted in the book, which forms an essential part of the plot. Therefore, it is vital that they are highlighted and the significance they served in the book. Through character development, the author achieved the purpose of discussing the issues, which can be highlighted with evidence from the book. One of the significant issues that are discussed in detail, based on the plot, is the aspect of culture. An individual's culture is based on the values, beliefs, and artifacts that people hold on to as an identity. In The Namesake, cultural identity is highlighted based on the aspect of immigration. Moving from one culture to another has a great deal of complexity, based on the different values that the members of a community hold on to. In this case, there are various examples of a struggle to associate with an individual's identity, which is highlighted through the example of Golgol (Lahiri 67). First is his name, which is different from the terms used in the country where they are immigrants. There is fear that there might be some sort of discrimination because he is an immigrant. Therefore, he does prefer having another name that might blend in with the rest of the people he is associated with.

Golgol is committed to abandoning his culture for a new one; so that he can fit in with most people. However, it is not easy because the culture is such an integral part of an individual in any society. He believes that he should denounce his culture and adopt a new one, which will lead to a better life because of the conformity that will be enhanced. However, there are various obstacles that he is faced with; because of the strength of the ties, he has with his family and culture. As an issue with identity, he settled on a name that is neither American nor Indian, which will conceal his identity, making it easier to adopt a different culture. However, he still has the urge to remain connected with his heritage, which is reflected through his name's choice, bearing a substantial element from his origin. Furthermore, the option is meant to relieve him from his parents' pressure because of changing his name.

Culture and Change

Moving from one culture has both desirable and undesirable effects on individuals. Therefore, people are always making efforts to become comfortable with the choices they make regarding culture. The process of moving from one culture to another is complex, as seen through Golgol and his family's character. The change involves the abandonment of previous preferences and adopting new ones. However, it involves many complexities because an individual cannot abandon their identity and adopt a new one with their family quickly. Therefore, in some cases, it may include assuming a new identity, which may not be approved by the members of a culture. In this case, Golgol was worried that his parents and family would disapprove of his change of names. It would be like a betrayal of their culture, which is an undesirable act by anyone. However, there was a need to fit in with the new culture preferred at the time by most of the characters, meant to avoid discrimination.

The change to another culture had various effects on the people, which were both desirable and undesirable. First, there was a loss of identity, whereby the people assumed a new character and behavior. In this case, there is an example of the need to change names, which would enhance conformity with the new culture. The change has desirable effects because the individual would avoid discrimination because of his different identity. However, there is a loss of identity with their culture, which has an integral part. The individual that changes their culture cannot be justified to identify with the new culture they adopt. They cannot be heard to say that they have assumed a new identity. The identity is out of presence because the individual does not have adequate knowledge about the core attributes of the culture they are considering. Therefore, through the book, there is a highlight of the complexities that individuals face as they interact with other cultures. However, the people's choices are out of necessity, whereby they need to survive in a diverse environment. In the long run, they may achieve satisfaction or face further discrimination for lack of identity as they abandoned their authentic culture.

Closely associated with culture is the aspect of birth, which was different in India and America. Birth is considered a natural occurrence in India, which has many cultural attributes associated with it. Before and after birth, numerous activities are done by the people, which are different from those in America. There is less diversity; therefore, it is easier to observe and adopt the culture that the people have had for a long time. However, in America, there are many people from different backgrounds. Therefore, the type of culture that is practiced in America is less uniform than in India. In America, before birth, there are no rituals the mother to be is expected to follow. It is considered a usual way of life, whereby the woman can have the baby at any place. However, in India, it is different. Birth is regarded as a sacred activity, which is attached to many cultural aspects.

Therefore, moving from India to china posed a cultural shock because of the need to change the practices that the people were involved with regarding childbirth. When a woman is almost giving birth in India, she moves away from the husband and the in-laws. There are cultural aspects in India that do not allow the woman to continue living with the husband and relatives. She is therefore required to go to their home, where she will receive the nurturing she requires. The justification for cultural practice during birth is to relieve the woman from the duties she has to play as a wife. Therefore, when she retreats to their home, she has the peace of mind and convenience, which will enable her to get through the period. Moreover, she receives tips on how to go about the entire engagement of being a mother. Nurturing is the other justification, which explains the cultural practice during birth. However, in America, there is no such cultural practice. Therefore, when moving from the Indian cultural practices to America, there is a need to adjust expectations and preferences. Thus, birth processes in an individual's culture seem more orderly because one is used to them. The other practices in different cultures seem disorderly, requiring some time to adjust appropriately to enhance conformity later.

Communication

Communication is one of the aspects highlighted in the book, which also had a cultural element. In India, the family used the same language, which many people were familiar with. The reason for the familiarity was the limited diversity there. However, in America, there were many different languages, although English was the most common. Thus, the family had to get used to the new norm, where they would communicate with many people in a different language other than their own. The change in language attributed to diversity in America was a highlight of the contemporary form of communication. There is an increase in the migration of individuals from various parts of the world with different languages. Communication is essential; therefore, there is a need to incorporate diversity. People are required to have adequate working knowledge of other languages. In this case, an immigrant from India was needed to hold fluent conversations in English. Moreover, regarding a culture change, individuals need to embrace a more significant deal of diversity. Concerning language, one can be multilingual, which means they will retain their indigenous language while speaking the new one.

As recorded in the book, communication has also evolved where there is a forecast of the use of technology in communication. Initially, in the book, people used to communicate through the post office. There was a great deal of delay and inconvenience because of the time taken successfully to deliver a message in various countries (Lahiri 100). Moreover, the message would not be delivered effectively in some cases. An example is when the sender had poor handwriting. The recipients would, therefore, find it challenging to read the message contained in the letter. There was also a highlight of the inaccuracy of expensive calls. The messages passed through the calls would be delivered, but the misinterpretation would lead to undesirable consequences in some cases. There was a forecast of a time where there would be better communication channels and travel, which would make it convenient to pass across messages and trade. When communication changes, there is an evolution in society, which creates convenience in the long run.

Food and Culture

Food is an essential aspect of culture in most places because of different preferences. Moreover, the climatic conditions in most places favor the growth of different types of food; therefore, the preferences f the people are based on the crops that are grown. In India, there are many indigenous crops; which the people rely on. On the other side of the divide, there is America whose lifestyle is modern. Therefore, there is a wide variety of food, which is imported from many states. According to the author, it is easy to settle on a given type of food that all people will fall in love with within India. On the contrary, there is an issue with preferences in the United States, which includes allergies to some foods. The food situation in America is, therefore, more complicated than in India. The food in India can be easily prepared, which will feed all people without any complication. The same convenience cannot be translated into American society.

Conclusion

American children, half of whom always claim they are allergic to milk, all of whom refuse to eat the crusts of their bread (Lahiri 64). The author expresses discomfort with the nature of American dietary habits. In India, there are few cases of people being uncomfortable with the food they are served with. When food is done, there is an assurance that the people will enjoy it without any complications.