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A companion blog to "Introduction to Literature" at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Fall 2009.
If you liked...
- The 1987 film adaptation of "The Dead" starring Anjelica Houston.
- Dubliners you will like Joyce's novel Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
- Pride and Prejudice think about renting the odd but fun 2008 British tv mini-series "Lost in Austen." It follows the adventures of Amanda, a modern day British woman who finds a portal in her bathroom to the fictional world of Pride and Prejudice.
- Pride and Prejudice you will like Emma by Jane Austen.
- Pride and Prejudice you will like the 1995 BBC/A&E miniseries closely based on the book.
- Twelfth Night you might want to see the 1996 film version, starring Helena Bonham Carter as Olivia and Ben Kingsley as Feste.
- Twelfth Night you might like some of Shakespeare's other comedies, such as As you Like it or Much Ado about Nothing.
- The Namesake you might like another recent novel by Zadie Smith called White Teeth (2000).
- The Namesake you might like a couple of films with similar themes, East is East (1999), My Son the Fanatic (1999), and Bend it Like Bekham (2002).
- The Namesake you will like Lahiri's Unaccustomed Earth: Stories
- The Namesake you will like Lahiri's pulizer prize winning Interpreter of Maladies
This is an example:
ReplyDeleteWhat is the significance of the novel's title _The Namesake_? How are names and naming central to the novel thus far?
Why is it that Lahiri gives the reader such an in- depth explanation of Ashoke's background, and not Ashima's? It seems as if Ashoke is more defined by the accident and his past experiences, whereas Ashima didn't become a prevalent character until she met Ashoke and began having experiences with him, i.e. carrying his child.
ReplyDeleteSarah Finley
Tiara McDuffie
ReplyDeleteIntro to Lit (TT)
Blog I
August 21, 2009
Q1. What if you were in the same predicaments as Ashima? Could you handle the pressure that she is withstanding? Explain.
Thoughts: Ashima is a young marries woman from another country. She travels to the U.S. with her husband to start a new life, only to find that it is not at all what she expected. She finds that she is also about to become a mother to a new born child. Needless to say, hearing the dramatic news about her grandmother died, and so has her father from a heart attack; right after her baby boy Gogol is born.
Q2: Do you think a second chance at life for Ashoke after the train crash, was for a purpose? Do you think he was just lucky?
Thoughts: Ashoke has a wife, and now a little boy on the way. He is a soon to be father. Everything Ashoke was unable to accomplish, or didn’t have the fortune of doing, he can now give those same opportunities to his son. Many may consider life in America an opportunity of its own.
Q3: Is Ashoke looking at his marriage to his wife as a mistake?
Thoughts: pg33 "Early mornings, when he senses that she is quietly crying, he puts an arm around her but can think of nothing to say, feeling that it is his fault for marrying her, for bringing her here."
Thank you Sarah and Tiara for starting us off. You need only post one question (Tiara did a little extra posting her questions and a short discussion of those questions). But if you want to say more than just one question, feel free!
ReplyDeleteWhy does Ashima leave the bag of her dad's stuff on the bus purposely this time?
ReplyDelete-Montika White
What are some themes/ values in The Namesake, and how do they relate to the title?
ReplyDeleteAshima never speaks of Ashoke's name, "even though she knows perfectly well what it is." In Bengali culture "a husband's name is something intimate and therefore unspoken, cleverly patched over." What are some of the differences in spousal relationships/public physical gestures? What does this show about the differences in Bengali and American cultures?
-Ashley Clark
A doppelganger is both a German and literary term that means a ghostly double or counterpart of a living person. How can the main character of "The Ovecoat", Akaky Akakyevich, be considred Ashoke's doppelganger or counterpart?
ReplyDelete-Reymon de Guzman
Why does the author go into such depth when talking about a "good name" and a "pet name"?
ReplyDelete-Stephanie Mullins
How is Gogol's birth similar to the birth of Jesus Christ?
ReplyDelete-Reymon de Guzman
Why is Gogol so attached to the names he found in the graveyard? Why will he not let his mother throw them away? What role will these names play later in the story, "gathering dust for years to come?"
ReplyDeleteAfter telling Ashoke that she can't and won't live here (in the US) anymore (page 32-33), Ashima drops the subject. Does Ashima still long for her home in Calcutta since most of her family is deceased or has her childrens' wants and needs taken precedence over hers?
ReplyDeleteHow is the theme of isolation used in the novel?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletehow do the the events preceding the train wreck put a bigger meaning on time for Ashoke? Has he been wanting to remake himself for a long time but can't escape his comfort zone enough? Does this make it hard for him to focus on what's in fromt of him like his marriage?
ReplyDeleteWhy do you think that Ashimas' brother chose not to tell her that their father had passed?
ReplyDeleteMaybe it was a painful subject for him to talk about. By telling Ashoke, he had taken the burden of breaking the horrible news to his sister to her husband, someone who could physically console her.
What is the significance of Ashima's grandmother not being able to name Gogul properly as planned? - Rose Shine
ReplyDeleteWhat is the difference between the baby's life and the life of Ashima and Ashoke? new opportunities? what will he miss out on?
ReplyDeleteWhat is Ashima and Ashoke's sons pet name and good name? Why is there two different names for him in the first place?
ReplyDeleteLahiri begins the book by describing Ashima and Ashoke through experiences that show their indiviual personalities. Do they seem to have mostly differences and only one common trait? Such as, both holding on to a book which links them to something near and dear to their hearts.
ReplyDeleteRaymeisha Robinson said...
ReplyDeleteWhy do you think Jhumpa lahiri use so many descriptive details in the novel? Do u think its to paint a mental picture in your head or to inform?
1)Why doesn’t the story have a consistent timeline? One chapter will be set in the present and the next is set in the future? (Ex.) Chapter 2 and chapter 3.
ReplyDeleteJarvis Pete
Robert Johnson II
ReplyDeleteIn what ways does Ashoke treat his favorite book of short stories like a bible?
Why is it that Ashoke holds on to his former culture now that he is in America?
ReplyDeleteIn what ways would Ashima's life differ had she remained in India, especially during the birth of her son?
ReplyDeleteIf you could pick your pet name, and "good name", what would they be?
ReplyDelete^ and why?
ReplyDeleteWhy does Ashoke refer to being born again when he mentions his near death accident?
ReplyDeleteTiara McDuffie
ReplyDeleteAugust 28, 2009
Literature (MW)
Blog 2
Q1: In what ironic discription does Lahiri express in Nikhil when he talks to Ruth and "Cannot imagine coming from such parents" explain about him as a character?
Thoughts>Gogol doesnt know exactly whom he wants to be portrayed as because he is just know begining to find himself as a person. For instance, he doesnt consider himself as Gogol, but Nikhil. Although is ancestors and parents are from another country, he still considers himself as an Aamerican.
What is the symbolism behind Ashoke having a security system installed at their house?
ReplyDeleteHow can the author go into such detail about little, seemingly unimportant things, but when a huge event occurs (such as a death), she just comes right out and says it without any warning?
ReplyDeleteThe author makes Gogol's parents disapprove in his relationship with ruth, what would the reason be?
ReplyDelete-Montika White
After Ashoke dies, Gogol goes to clean out his apartment and decides to sleep there even when Maxine asks him not to, what could be his reasons for staying there?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the significance of Gogol wanting to be so different from his parents?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the significance of Gogol choosing the name Nikhil when he could have pick an more common American name?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the significance of the multiple train scenes and accidents?
ReplyDeleteIn what ways are Maxine and Gogul's relationship different from his parents' relationship? Is it more open?
ReplyDeleteHow will Ashoke’s death affect his family? Will Ashima return to India?
ReplyDeleteposted by Jarvis Pete
When we start to see Gogol breaking away from his parents and wanting less to do with them, how does this help us understand his character better?
ReplyDeleteIn what ways does Gogol's and Maxine's upbringing differ?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the significance of Gogol feeling free at the cabin with Maxine?
ReplyDeletehow did Gogol overlook the significance of the name he'd held his whole life and how did this make him feel slighly lonely after he legally changed it to Nikhil?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the significance of Maxine pushing Nikhil to go up to New Hampshire for Christmas after his father died, "to get away from all this"?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the importance of The mourning period in Bengali culture?
What is the significance behind the meatless meals that Ashima, Gogol, and Sonia share why mourning Ashoke's death? Why do you think "the enforced absence of certain foods on their plates conjuring his father's presence."
ReplyDeleteWhy does Gogol seemingly want everything to be different from his parents life style and traditions?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the significance of Gogol wanting to live somewhere that his parents don't know well of?
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the significance of th job Gogol envisioned??
ReplyDeleteHow has being with Maxine Changed Nikhils life? Why does he seem drawned more to Maxine's family than his own?
ReplyDelete-Bobby Crockett
How is Maxine and her families customs different from Gogol and his families?
ReplyDeleteThis is regarding Lahiri's style. What is the meaning behind Lahiri making the conversation between two different characters actual dialogue and then abruptly breaking it off by finishing what they were saying. Especially when bad news is given. In Example (pg 168) when the intern starts to tell Ashima Ashoke has "expired."
ReplyDeleteDid nikhil's relationship with ruth make relationships easier for him?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the significance of the timing Gogols father told him about the train wreck and the significance of his name?
ReplyDeleteSince Moushumi loves to linger in her past, what effect(s) did this habit have on her marriage?
ReplyDelete-Reymon de Guzman
Does Moushumi feel tied down or restrained by her marriage to Gogol? If so, why did she marry him in the first place?
ReplyDeleteBecause of the way Lahiri writes about the affair caused by Moushumi and the downfall of she and Gogols marriage, was the affair a way for her to cope wirthe her uncertatinties?
ReplyDeleteWhat importance does the "past" play in this novel, and how have these flashbacks/past experiences developed "The Namesake's" characters (Moushumi and Gogol)?
ReplyDeleteWhen Ashima decides to sell the house and move back to Calcutta for 6 months she seems sad, how signifigant is this considering she never felt at home in the U.S.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the significance in finding out Ashima will miss the things she has learned to do by herself since her husband died?
ReplyDeleteAfter Gogol changed his name to Nikhil why does the author still refer to his as Gogol throughout the book?
ReplyDelete-Montika White
While in Paris, how is Gogol's view and experience of the trip different from Moushumi's?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the significance of Moushoumi wearing the sari?
ReplyDeleteIn chapter 10 what is the significance of Moushumi's embrassment over the bus boys working in the restaurant and her wanting to leave so badly?
ReplyDeletewhat is the significance in obedience throughout the novel?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the significance of books throughout the novel?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the significance of telling the reader that Nikhil woke up with a bad dream?
ReplyDeleteBobby Crockett
What is the significance of Moushumi's reluctance to let go of the past?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the significance of the three celebration for Moushumi?
ReplyDeleteSince both moushumi and Gogol's parent's had arranged marriages, how where they both trying to find some cultural normalcy in their lives that they weren't raised to do or really know how to do by getting married?
ReplyDeleteWhy is it Gogol feels more apologetic than excited around Moushumi?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the significance of Nikhil and Moushumi marrying within their culture after all their efforts to disown themselves from it?
ReplyDelete-posted by Jarvis Pete
What is the significance of Lahiri using soo many flashbacks in the novel?
ReplyDeleteIn Sonnet 116, what is the significance of Shakespeare using first person at the end of the poem; "I never writ..." ?
ReplyDeleteIn Sonnet 18, What is the significance of Shakespeare comparing abstract nouns to concrete noun; " Shall I compare thee to a summer's day"?
ReplyDeleteOf whom is Shakespeare referring to in sonnet 53, and what is the significance?
ReplyDeleteHow does the use of personification better help the reader's understanding of Shakespeare's sonnets?
ReplyDeleteHow does Shakespeare's use of punctuation and short, often choppy prose affect the story?
ReplyDelete