The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri (part 2)

Ashoke and Ashima have just had their baby and are waiting for the arrival of the name of their baby from Ashima's grandmother. When they are ready to leave the hospital they are told they must give the baby a name before he is allowed to leave. So they decide to make the baby's nickname Gogol, after the character in the book Ashoke was reading during the train accident. Both Ashoke and Ashima believe this name is only temporary and will change it on the birth certificate when the letter of the baby's real name arrives. The Ganguli family takes Gogol home and await for the name. While waiting Ashima goes through troubldes with taking care of Gogol. He develops and ear infection and Ashima feels she is not a good mother.

Question: Are names really important?

The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri

The novel The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri is about and Indian family from Calcutta who are trying to conform to life in America. The twenty five pages I have read so far are good. Ashima and Ashoke Ganguli are due to have a baby. As Ashima arrives at the hospital to deliver her baby her husband steps out and leaves Ashima their alone in a room with two other women who are about to deliver. As Ashima awaits the arrival of her baby she becomes frightened to know she will be raising a child in a country where "she is related to know one." As the baby arrives they await the name that will be given to the baby by their grandmother.

Quote: "...she is terrified to raise a child in a country where she is related to no one, where she knows so little where life seems so tentative and spare."

Question: Should Ashima be worried about being accepted in America?

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Laurie Halse Anderson's novel, Speak, is about a girl named Melinda who went through a very tramatic situation in her life and is now entering high school and trying to forget it. Anderson shows how harsh high school is to some people and what they have to do to conform or find acceptance. The themes of the novel are conformity and holding secrets. The main character, Melinda, kept the secret of her rape from everyone and tried to ignore it like it didn't happen. When she started high school she tried to do her best to be like everyone else. I enjoyed this book because it showed that when you decide that being yourself is okay and nothing is wrong with you, others will see that also and want to be around you. I also enjoyed Melinda because she finallly spoke about what happened to her and the world didn't end, like she thought it would.


Question: Why does Melinda feel she can't tell anyone she was raped?
Why is it so important to "fit in?"

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Stephen Chbosky's novel, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, is a coming of age story that gives an insight on what it is like to grow up in high school. Chbosky argues that growing up is not easy and you should always be true to yourself. The main character, Charlie, has to face a lot of issues during his years in high school. The book has many themes: conformity, appearance vs. reality, and holding secrets. An example for all the themes is the main character's (Charlie) friend Brad. He is a popular football quaterback that everyone likes. Most think he is a ladies' man but in actuality is gay. I enjoyed reading this book because it brought a lot of teen issues to light: fitting in, drugs, sexual orientation, conformity, etc.

Question: Who is Charlie writing to?
Why did Brad have to hide his sexuality from the others?