Cultural Gaps in Language and Communication in The Namesake
“It feels like I’ve given birth to a stranger,” says Ashima, the wife of Ashoke and mother of Gogol, when Gogol is grown up in The Namesake. This statement captures the emotional distance—and sometimes conflicting experiences—between immigrant parents and their first-generation American-born children. The film displays tension between holding on to one’s cultural roots and fitting into the dominant American culture. This tension is made even more complicated by differences in language, communication, and values within the family. For instance, Gogol changes his name to “Nick,” thinking it’s the “better” name, even though it goes against his parents' wishes. His relationship with Maxine also highlights the cultural conflict that comes with assimilation.
Ashoke, Gogol’s father, struggles to explain the meaning behind his son’s name. The name “Gogol” is tied to Ashoke’s personal history and his experience as an immigrant. It’s a tribute to the Russian author, who had a significant impact on Ashoke’s life, especially after a train wreck he survived as a young man. For Ashoke, the name is not just about survival; it symbolizes strength and identity. But Ashoke hesitates to explain all of this to Gogol right away. He tells his son, “When you are older, I will explain.” This delay isn’t just about language barriers, though they exist. It’s also about the cultural gap between immigrant parents and their first-generation children. Gogol doesn’t fully understand the importance of his name because, in school, he learns that the character Gogol from the book is mocked by Americans. To him, the name is something that doesn’t fit with his life or identity in America, causing him to want to change his name to Nick as the “better name”—distancing him from family heritage.
The cultural differences between Gogol and his parents are also reflected in the way they communicate love. In the film, Gogol’s parents never say “I love you” or show physical affection, like holding hands, in public. For example, when Ashoke and Ashima are walking outside, Ashima responds to Ashoke’s question about why she chose to be with him by saying, “Do you want me to say, ‘I love you’ like the Americans?” This line shows that their way of expressing love is different from the more openly affectionate American style. It’s not that Ashima doesn’t love Ashoke, but her way of showing love is more subtle. Gogol’s response to his parents ‘lack’ of display of love reveals the cultural gap between him and his Bengali upbringing. Before Maxine, his white girlfriend, meets his parents, Gogol strongly advises her not to show any affection around them. He says, “No kissing, no holding hands...I’ve never seen them [his parents] touch.” Maxine’s response is, “Well, that’s depressing,” and Gogol agrees with her. This is largely due to his American upbringing, as Gogol has been immersed in American cultural norms being born in America and educated in U.S. schools. He’s taught things like holding hands and showing affection in public are common and even expected. His parents, however, grew up in a different environment, where such displays were less common. This difference creates a rift between Gogol and his parents, as he struggles to understand their more reserved ways of showing love.
Gogol’s experience is shaped by his exposure to American culture that creates the cultural gap between him and his family, as he distances himself from the parts of his identity that don’t align with American norms. Changing his name to “Nick” and becoming more Americanized in his relationship with Maxine are ways he tries to navigate the cultural tension he feels. But these choices also highlight the challenge of balancing two identities—one shaped by his parents’ Bengali heritage, and the other shaped by his American upbringing.
Work Cited
“The Namesake.” Fox Searchlight Pictures, 2007.
