Identity
The theme of Identity is the overall theme that Jhumpa Lahiri focuses on throughout the novel. Lahiri builds the character Gogol Ganguli in order for the readers to see the struggle between adapting to the two worlds that he's living in.
The "pet name" Gogol and "good name" Nikhil represent two different cultures that Gogol is experiencing. When Gogol is not born, his father fortunately survives during a train accident. He is thankful for that and decides to name his child Gogol Ganguli because he is reading a book called "The Overcoat" by Nikolai Gogol. Gogol's later adaption of the name Nikhil during his first school days symbolize his introduction to two distinct cultures in which he has to struggle to find his own identity.
It's through these two names that Lahiri illustrates the hardship of Gogol looking for his true self because as he changes the name, he becomes a completely different person. Gogol starts to realize the various identities he has through his relationships during and after college: first with Ruth during college, then with Maxine after that and finally getting married with Moushumi. The relationship he has with Ruth and Maxine convey the idea that he wants to break off with his hereditary Calcutta culture and be accepted as a true American. However, his marriage with Moushumi at last provides the idea that he finally accepts the Calcutta culture. The ending that Lahiri makes of Gogol reading "The Overcoat" that Ashoke gives to him on his birthday is the step ensuring Gogol has fully accepted the cultural heritage that his family has preserved and it's also when he successfully finds his identity: "From now, he starts to read". (Lahiri 291).
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