This section of The Namesake focuses mainly on Gogol, from changing his name (and in his own mind his identity) to "Nikhil", to living away from his family in university, through 2 relationships and eventually his fathers death.
What stood out to me most in this section of the novel was the relationship between Gogol and Maxine, who have such contrasting lives it's hard to imagine they have enough in common to form a relationship. Maxine is from a well-off American family. They have fancy dinners every night accompanied by multiple bottles of wine, they discuss art and musuem exhibits as dinner conversation, they shop casually in the most expensive stores on 5th Ave. and they escape this stressful life of theirs by retreating to their cottage each summer. Gogol eventually moves into the house with Maxine and her parents, fascinated by this lifestyle and by Maxine's effortless and willing relationship with her parents. I questioned whether Gogol really loved Maxine as much as her lifestyle "Quickly, simultaneously, he falls in love with Maxine, the house, and Gerald and Lydia's manner of living, for to know her and love her is to know and love all of these things" (Lahiri, 137). I also questioned if Maxine loved Gogol at all. Was she even capable of loving and caring for anyone more than herself? Even Gogol seems to realize that any interest she shows in his life is shallow. The differences between Gogol and Maxine are made even more apparent by the tragic event of his father's death.
Ashoke Ganguli's death is very tragic to Gogol, although he had not spoken or seen his fatner very often in the months before. This event brings him closer to his family but distances him from Maxine. Even when Maxine offers Ashima her condolences, Gogol realizes that they are not sincere "'I'm so sorry,' he hears her say to his mother, aware that his fathers death does not affect Maxine in the least" (Lahiri, 182). Maxine is more concerned with their New Years plans then with how Gogol is feeling. I feel like one of the sources of this conflict between Gogol and Maxine, besides Maxine's self-importance and indulgence, is a cultural difference. Many Bengali traditions are practised following the death and both Sonia and Gogol find importance in staying with their mother. I can relate to this because in my own culture (Greek) we have many customs that are strictly followed after a death. Like in Gogol's cuture, there is a fasting period after a death. Black is worn and parties and most social events are not attended for at least 40 days along with many other customs. I understand that Gogol wanted to stay close to his family at this time and was no longer interested in celebrating New Year's as they had planned. Ashoke's death created tension between Gogol and Maxine, but with their many differences, conflicts were bound to arise sometime. Will Gogol and Maxine's relationship survive this tragic event?
What stood out to me most in this section of the novel was the relationship between Gogol and Maxine, who have such contrasting lives it's hard to imagine they have enough in common to form a relationship. Maxine is from a well-off American family. They have fancy dinners every night accompanied by multiple bottles of wine, they discuss art and musuem exhibits as dinner conversation, they shop casually in the most expensive stores on 5th Ave. and they escape this stressful life of theirs by retreating to their cottage each summer. Gogol eventually moves into the house with Maxine and her parents, fascinated by this lifestyle and by Maxine's effortless and willing relationship with her parents. I questioned whether Gogol really loved Maxine as much as her lifestyle "Quickly, simultaneously, he falls in love with Maxine, the house, and Gerald and Lydia's manner of living, for to know her and love her is to know and love all of these things" (Lahiri, 137). I also questioned if Maxine loved Gogol at all. Was she even capable of loving and caring for anyone more than herself? Even Gogol seems to realize that any interest she shows in his life is shallow. The differences between Gogol and Maxine are made even more apparent by the tragic event of his father's death.
This photo from The Namesake movie clearly depicts Maxine and Gogol's cultural differences.
Ashoke Ganguli's death is very tragic to Gogol, although he had not spoken or seen his fatner very often in the months before. This event brings him closer to his family but distances him from Maxine. Even when Maxine offers Ashima her condolences, Gogol realizes that they are not sincere "'I'm so sorry,' he hears her say to his mother, aware that his fathers death does not affect Maxine in the least" (Lahiri, 182). Maxine is more concerned with their New Years plans then with how Gogol is feeling. I feel like one of the sources of this conflict between Gogol and Maxine, besides Maxine's self-importance and indulgence, is a cultural difference. Many Bengali traditions are practised following the death and both Sonia and Gogol find importance in staying with their mother. I can relate to this because in my own culture (Greek) we have many customs that are strictly followed after a death. Like in Gogol's cuture, there is a fasting period after a death. Black is worn and parties and most social events are not attended for at least 40 days along with many other customs. I understand that Gogol wanted to stay close to his family at this time and was no longer interested in celebrating New Year's as they had planned. Ashoke's death created tension between Gogol and Maxine, but with their many differences, conflicts were bound to arise sometime. Will Gogol and Maxine's relationship survive this tragic event?
I totally agree with everything in your post! I too found it amazing that Maxine and Gogol managed to form anything at all close to a relationship with the amount of differences between them. The quote that you used from page 137 really did make it obvious that the love may not be so “true”. It is hard to tell if they really did fall in love with each other or something else. After a certain point, I think it was obvious that the relationship wasn't going to last.
ReplyDeleteAlong with Gogol’s culture and yours, mine also has certain events that follow a death. Therefore, the people associated with the person who passed away have to be there at all times in order to follow through with this process. As you stated, it seems Maxine doesn't care about this or how Gogol feels at all, she cares about her own problems. I’ll be glad if Gogol and Maxine don’t end up together, no point of Gogol sticking around with someone who doesn't even try to understand his tradition and culture.
It was very easy to understand and connect with what you were saying, excellent post! Looking forward to your next. :)
I will also be glad if Gogol and Maxine's relationship does not last, which I don't believe it will. Thank you! :)
DeleteI'd have to agree with you, as much as Gogol and Maxine's relationship was 'lovey-dovey' it also always seemed empty of sincerity and devotion to one another. When I came across that same quote, "Quickly, simultaneously, he falls in love with Maxine, the house, and Gerald and Lydia's manner of living, for to know her and love her is to know and love all of these things" (Lahiri, 137)... it only confirmed my suspicions of their relationship being based on lust, curiosity and wealth. Also Maxine and her family did seem ridiculously shallow- this becoming very apparent at Ashoke's death. Agreeing with your analysis of their relationship, I'd say this is all adding up to foreshadow another unsuccessful relationship for Gogol.
ReplyDeleteI think its interesting that Western culture, compared to other cultures/religions, doesn't necessarily have any strict guidelines that are to be followed when someone has a close relative pass away. At the same time however, I think Maxine lacks some serious common sense/ social etiquette if she thinks that someone would have partying in their mind after having their father pass away. For this reason, I definitely agree with you when you say that she is self-centred.
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