Why do people change their names? Does changing a name change a person’s identity? Similar to Jay Gatsby from the book The Great Gatsby written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gogol Ganguli from the The Namesake written by Jhumpa Lahiri, both reinvents oneself by changing their names. Lahiri produces examples of Gogol’s transformation: new culture, new opportunities, and most of all new identity. Fitzgerald also shows these transformations on Jay Gatsby; but instead of having a new culture, Gatsby changed his name for the sake of making his and Daisy’s relationship possible. Gogol on the other hand, only wants to do what he wants to do because his culture prevents his freedom. Each character looked into the American Dream and gained inspiration for
…show more content…
He has adapted the saying ‘old sport’ and his success adds more to his new personality that he became. “That? That’s Mr. Dan old sport,” (Fitzgerald 93). Nick also describes Gatsby comparing the Son of God. “He was a son of God, which if it means anything, means just that—and he must be about his Father’s business, the service of vast, vulgar, and meretricious beauty.” (Fitzgerald 98). This shows that Gogol still is in reality while Gatsby became stuck in his dreams. Jay Gatsby compared to Gogol is making his dreams a reality however Gogol considers what he believe is possible and he goes after that fact.
Jay and Gogol had good opportunities for the outcome of their name change. Gogol finally told himself and his parents that he no longer wants to be a Bengali but to be an American. This gave a transformation overall with his name change. When he was still a Bengali, he can only date Bengali women but now it became possible to date American women. Gogol’s decision of becoming American also prevented him from coming home frequently. He then met a girl named Maxine at a party—an outgoing person that he felt himself comfortable with and as well as accepted by her …show more content…
This shows that Gogol Ganguli and Jay Gatsby’s desire was made possible when they started a new life. Each had reached what they wanted to accomplish; but the outcome of their change ended in a not so happy ending. Gogol got divorced because his wife Moushumi was not faithful to him, and Jay, shot by a husband who thought Gatsby was the one who killed his wife. Nobody even came to his funeral—even the girl he has loved, except for Nick for he is the only one who
He has adapted the saying ‘old sport’ and his success adds more to his new personality that he became. “That? That’s Mr. Dan old sport,” (Fitzgerald 93). Nick also describes Gatsby comparing the Son of God. “He was a son of God, which if it means anything, means just that—and he must be about his Father’s business, the service of vast, vulgar, and meretricious beauty.” (Fitzgerald 98). This shows that Gogol still is in reality while Gatsby became stuck in his dreams. Jay Gatsby compared to Gogol is making his dreams a reality however Gogol considers what he believe is possible and he goes after that fact.
Jay and Gogol had good opportunities for the outcome of their name change. Gogol finally told himself and his parents that he no longer wants to be a Bengali but to be an American. This gave a transformation overall with his name change. When he was still a Bengali, he can only date Bengali women but now it became possible to date American women. Gogol’s decision of becoming American also prevented him from coming home frequently. He then met a girl named Maxine at a party—an outgoing person that he felt himself comfortable with and as well as accepted by her …show more content…
This shows that Gogol Ganguli and Jay Gatsby’s desire was made possible when they started a new life. Each had reached what they wanted to accomplish; but the outcome of their change ended in a not so happy ending. Gogol got divorced because his wife Moushumi was not faithful to him, and Jay, shot by a husband who thought Gatsby was the one who killed his wife. Nobody even came to his funeral—even the girl he has loved, except for Nick for he is the only one who