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Diaspora In Jhumpa Lahiri's The Namesake

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CHAPTER-2 : DIASPORIC WOMEN IN JUMPA LAHIRI’S NOVEL THE NAMESAKE The novel constantly focuses on the contrasting experiences of two generations of expatriates –Ashoke and Ashima who do not attempt to or not inclined towards getting Americanised while Gogol and Sonia constantly face the need to belong . They rather develop taste and ideas more in keeping with the society they live. They seem to realise that diapora can lead to transculturation which occurs in contact zones or social spaces where disparate cultures meet, clash and grapple with each other. Lahiri’s The Namesake, is a cross cultural multi generational story that examines the cultural conflicts, pangs, aspirations and dilemmas of the Indian immigrants who find themselves …show more content…

But today most societies, question of identity and dynamics of relationship are also affected. Ashoke and Ashima, the first immigrants of this novel try very hard to hold on their Indian-ness – a concept of their culture that they cannot let it go. Whereas the second generation quest for identity. They rather develop taste and ideas of a society in which they live in present. For them the present place brings more sense of relief than their homeland, which has always been an alien land. To conclude, it is Ashima who faces the greatest difficulty in becoming a part of a different culture. She represents the majority of women expatriates including Indians who are reluctant to change or adopt the culture of host country. On the other hand Sonia easily gets adapted to the present world. Popular with friends, thus totally accustomised with the present world, in the end marrying a Chinese and settled. Moushami Mazoomdar, is a paradoxical character, a shy introverted girl turned into a mysterious women. She seemed to be strong personality yet underneath it was painfully insecure and uncertain, ultimately losing everything she chased for

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