Good names vs Nicknames
Adult wishes to be known as "Nikhil" (American)
Child wishes to remain "Gogol" (Inidan Culture)
Myrah Newberry, Alex Breeze, Sarah Kroeger
Nikolai Gogol
Author of the book that saved Ashoke's life
Gogol named after Ashoke's first miracle; Gogol is Ashoke's second miracle.
Death vs Life, Mourning vs Celebration: Indian Culture
Ashoke's near death experience makes him love his life and family more.
Ashoke hides past from his family.
"The Overcoat" (symbolic)
Writing Style
Use of sympathy
Flow
The pace is very fast and easy to follow
Detail
Lahiri includes lots of detail so that the reader can empathize with each character
Characters
Sonia
The sister of Gogol. Was originally named Sonali, but to prevent confusion like with Gogol, but name is still shortened to Sonia.
Gogol/ Nikhil
Wife. Divorce after she cheats on him.
Moushumi
Maxine
College girlfriend. Goes to school in England
Ruth
First love. Break up due to Gogol's struggle with Ashoke's death.
Ashima
Mother, Wife, Homemaker, very devoted to the Indian culture
Ashoke
Father, a Professor, nearly dies when young in train accident, but actually dies when he has a heart attack
Culture
Birth/ Death
Maxine's relationship cannot survive Ashoke's death; she pushes the cultural limitations by insisting on going to India with Gogol.
Use Indian rituals in America
parental acceptance
Ashima disapproves of Maxine
Gogol does not persue further relationsip after Ashoke's death.
arranged marriage
Gogol/ Moushumi- not totally, but influenced by parents.
Ashoke/Ashima
Setting
India
Gogol must participate within two cultures
Ashima and Ashoke's home
America
Gogol's home
Ashima and Ashoke's adaption
Themes
Family
Gogol struggles with his family ties, should he follow the family? or should he try to fit in with his American peers?
Pressure
Gogol is pressured into relationship with Moushumi. Ends in divorce.
Displacement
Gogol feels out of place in America and India. Compare to Lahiri.
Identity-
Who is Nikhil?
Who he wants to be (American Culture)
Who is Gogol?
Who his parents want him to be (Indian Culture)
