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