Review of The Namesake (2006) by Joann P — 14 Sep 2008

The Namesake.

The Namesake is about a young man named Gogol Ganguli. The story takes you through Gogol?s life from birth to about middle age. With his parents living in the United States, original from India, he is struggling with who he is. He is having a difficult time with his name and the traditions his parents want to continue with. However, later in life, Gogol comes to understand and appreciate his name and the traditions that his parents worked so hard at keeping while adjusting to life in a new country. Gogol is on an emotional journey throughout the movie.

When Gogol is born his parents want to wait on giving him a name until they receive a letter from Ashima?s (Gogol?s mom) grandmother. She has named all the children in the family up to this point. Even though he has been born in the United States they still hold on to that tradition of having the grandmother name him. It is time to leave the hospital but they still haven?t given Gogol his name. They give him a nickname which is Gogol, until the letter from the grandmother arrives. Once it does they can then change his name. The letter never arrives and Gogol is his legal name.

At Gogol?s fourteenth birthday, his father gives him a finial gift. This is unusual because his father has never given him a gift without his mother?s help. The gift is a book by Nikolai Gogol. Gogol is disappointed at such a gift. The only reason that Gogol thinks his father named him ?Gogol? is that he enjoys reading Nikolai Gogol?s work.

It is not until the passing of Gogol?s father that he begins to really understand why the traditions of their country meant/mean so much to his parents.

In my opinion the way World Religion relates to this movie is the way Gogol?s parents hold on the traditions of their country, India while living in America. One example is at the birth of Gogol; his parents were waiting to receive a letter from Ashima?s grandmother as to what his legal name would be. Gogol?s parents attempt to ?help him find his bride?, but it isn?t until years later that the two meet again and get married. The wedding is a traditional ceremony and Gogol and his bride are not permitted to be alone until very late into the night. When the father passes; there is a traditional Indian ?funeral?.

It is good to know that those of other religious beliefs can live in this country and still live there lives with the traditions of their country and incorporate American traditions if they choose. Joann Pope.