Throughout life, it is important for individuals to acquire their own sense of self and individuality. Jhumpa Lahiri tells the story of this young man, Gogol, caught between two worlds, through his novel The Namesake. Over the course of the novel, Gogol comes to terms with his multicultural and complex identity. Gogol's struggle with his identity is at the center of the novel, and his name becomes the symbol of this difficulty. Gogol grows up without ever understanding the meaning of his name and grows up hating it. By choosing one name over another, Gogol decides to define himself under another self. And finally, the narrative depicts Gogol's fractured identity as he attempts to disassociate himself from both his family and his cultural heritage in order to forget himself. Gogol grows up without ever understanding the meaning of his name and grows up hating it. The name that ultimately defines a being's individuality becomes a burden for him. Gogol's name does not give him an identity but places him in a dilemma as to his original identity. From the beginning, Gogol tries to escape the efforts of others to choose his name for him. On Gogol's first day of kindergarten, respecting tradition, Gogol's parents try to give him the "good name" Nikhil. Even though Gogol knows that “his parents want him to have another name,” Gogol “shakes his head” when asked if he wants to be called Nikhil (59). Despite his parents' wishes, Gogol, an otherwise submissive child, attempts to take control of his identity in the only way possible: his name. While studying, Gogol realizes that his name separates him from his classmates. When substitute teachers get to his name on the list, they always "take a break", forcing Gog... middle of paper ...... himself to distance himself from customs and culture with which he was raised, Gogol trains himself to love and tolerate things he would not have loved otherwise. Gogol's struggle with his identity is at the center of the novel. Jhumpa Lahiri tells us the story of this young man, Gogol, caught between two worlds, through his novel The Namesake. Over the course of the novel, Gogol comes to terms with his multicultural and complex identity. Gogol grows up without ever understanding the meaning of his name and grows up hating it. By choosing one name over another, Gogol decides to define himself under another self. Finally, the narrative depicts Gogol's fractured identity as he attempts to dissociate himself from both his family and his cultural heritage in order to form his own self. A person's identity is the most valuable asset a person can possess.