Life after Death

  Chapter 8 of The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri starts off a year after the sudden and tragic death of Gogol's father, Ashoke. Gogol's life is surprisingly different than before; he frequently visits his mother and Sonia, and he's ended his relationship with eccentric Maxine. (Thank God). However, it seems as though Gogol finds himself more lost and nostalgic than he's been throughout the novel. Before his father's death, Gogol strives towards a solid, concrete goal: he wants to detach from Indian culture and his parent's traditions, and he effectively does so. But after Ashoke's death, Gogol no longer feels like he has to separate from Indian culture, or separate from his parents, because he wants to hold on to the culture that represents his father. Gogol works so hard to become "Nikhil" that he doesn't know how to fill that empty void when he no longer wants to be that man.

    Gogol is nostalgic for a life with his father was alive; "He enjoys the passivity of sitting in a classroom again, listening to an instructor, being told what to do. He is reminded of being a student, of a time when his father was still alive," (Lahiri 190). He ignores his father for so long, that when the time to visit him "expires", Gogol finally sees his mistake; he seemed to appreciate Ashoke and the memories they shared only after he dies. 

    Then, Gogol meets Moushumi: a woman he'd known growing up, but had never really bothered to notice. At first Gogol is hesitant to meet with her because his mother Ashima suggests it, but he agrees and has dinner with Moushumi. He is surprisingly intrigued by her honesty and intellect, and admires her beauty. I thought that Gogol would be uninterested in her because of her Bengali background, but instead the similarity has the opposite effect; "He had not expected to enjoy himself, to be attracted to her in the least...He decides that it is her very familiarity that makes him curious about her," (Lahiri 199). Moushumi provides Gogol with comfort, because they share many commonalities. Both Moushumi and Gogol come from Bengali families, they strayed from the paths expected of them, and they even look similar. Gogol feels like Moushumi understands him, because of the similarities in culture. He thinks that it is what connects them. 

    I'm happy for Gogol. Of all the girls that he's been involved with, I like Moushumi the most. She is smart and respectful and witty, and I do think that she understands Gogol on a much more personal level than the girls in his past relationships. I hope that his marriage with Moushumi lasts.