'Just because you know my name doesn't mean you know my story' (Johnathon Anthony Burkett). This quote seems to fit perfectly with The Namesake written by Jhumpa Lahiri, which is considered to be realistic fiction. It all begins at the beginning of the novel, in 1968, when Ashima is in the semi-private hospital room preparing to give birth to the soon-to-be Gogol. Gogol is the name of Ashoke's favorite Russian author, who happened to save his life. Growing up in the United States, Gogol realizes that he doesn't like his name at all. This led to his name changing in chapter 5 when he becomes Nikhil. As Nikhil goes through his life experiencing all the things a typical American does, he doesn't feel like himself. Gogol does not play the role that his parents give him from birth, which is the role he will have to play throughout his life. The role that Gogol should play is to do the things recommended by his parents. For example, letting them choose a spouse, attending a certain college and earning a certain degree, etc. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay As Gogol grows up and begins to understand Bengali culture better, he realizes that he is not a fan of that kind of lifestyle. Part of this lifestyle is having a “pet name” and a “good name”. Gogol wants to be like the rest of the Americans with whom he spends his whole life, having a name. He is able to understand, even at the young age of 5, that everyone else has only one name, which is also what he wants. “And you, Gogol? Do you want to be called by another name?... Is that a no?” (Lahiri 59) This shows that Gogol is more introverted as he denies the attention of having two names during the time he is in school and when he is at home with his family. The name is the main motif throughout the novel and is also the most significant motif. Although Gogol was unaware of the meaning of his name, he did what he wanted and changed his name to Nikhil. He felt immediate remorse and guilt immediately after changing his name. Gogol is very frank with his parents and questions them and their decisions: “I don't understand. Why did you have to give me a pet name in the first place? What's the point?" (99) Gogol elicits mixed emotions over whether he wants a "pet name" or a "good name". Of all the emotions he is showing, it is clear that anger is the main one. At this point of the story, Gogol seems to get very angry every time Bengali culture is referenced in his life, it is clear that he wants to ignore everything about Calcutta Keeping the same name throughout his life allows him to feel more comfortable, although this is not the typical Bengali way, which is the way preferred by his parents. Get a personalized document now, come on our expert writers. Get a custom essay Gogol has the right to live the life he wants, considering that his parents brought him to America so that he could live a free life. Gogol realizes that he is different from everyone else, but he comes out to explain that he wants to be the same as the rest of his peers. He was given the nickname, Gogol, even though he saw things differently and does what he wants by changing his name to Nikhil. You might consider Gogol a nickname, but each culture, especially the Bengali one, sees a completely different perspective in the naming aspect. In the end, Gogol does not necessarily play the ideal role that his parents would prefer throughout his life. If.