review of chapters 1, 2 ,3
Read Chapters 1, 2, and 3 of The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri.

Required writing: Answer the following questions in paragraph form as we have done all semester. The citations are the same as we used for short fiction. Use quoted evidence to support your ideas. *An answer without quoted evidence to support the points you make will not be counted.

Since we are using different editions of The Namesake, please include a Work Cited for the novel at the bottom of your assignment.

**Directions for Work Cited: Use this exact format, including the same punctuation.

Author’s last name, Author’s first name. Title (in italics). City of publication: Publisher, year of publication.

If you Work Cited extends for more than one line, indent all lines except the first.

1. In the beginning of Chapter 1, the omniscient narrator of The Namesake tells us the thoughts of Ashima as she is about to deliver her first child in America. Discuss the things Ashima does to bring the conforts of India to her home in Cambridge and the hospital room where she is in labor. What troubles her most about giving birth so far from home? (Use quoted evidence.)

2. Most Americans are mystified by the system of arranged marriages, but 50% of marriages in America end in divorce. Elizabeth Gilbert, in her book Committed (You may know her better as the author of Eat, Pray, Love), says Divorce rates skyrocket when arranged marriages give way to “love marriages.” Her contention is if you can fall in love, you can also fall out of love, and then what happens? What are your thoughts on the marriage of Ashima and Ashoke? What binds them together? Do you think they are in love by now in the traditional sense? Does it matter? (Use quoted evidence.)

3. In Chapter 1, we learn the reason behind Ashoke’s decision to immigrate to America. Discuss the difficulty of this decision in terms of Ashoke, his parents, and Ashima. Who do you think has the most difficult time adjusting to life in Cambridge? Explain. (Use quoted evidence.)

4. Immigrants are often criticized for remaining in a small circle of other people who share the same culture. In Chapter 2, we learn that the Gangulis’ circle of friends is becoming larger as they meet more and more families from Calcutta. How do other immigrants from Calcutta enrich the lives of the Gangulis? Do you think their immigrant friends prevent them from assimilating into the American culture or does their experience help you to understand the reasons they make this choice of friends? (Use quoted evidence.)

5. In Chapter 3, the Gangulis move to the suburbs. What specific details in their life point to them becoming more Americanized? (Use quoted )

6. What do you think of the principal’s decision to overrule Ashoke and put Gogol as his son’s legal or formal name? Do you believe this was based on her assessment of Ashoke as an immigrant or some other reason? (Use quoted evidence.)

7. What are the signs that Gogol and Sonia are becoming more and more Americanized? How do Ashoke and Ashima react to some of their ideas and activities? In what ways are they still loyal to their parents and Indian culture? (Use quoted evidence.)

8. Choose a line from Chapter 1, 2, or 3 that you connect to in some way, or find especially powerful, important, or meaningful. Write the line and discuss its relevance.