“There seems to be some confusion, Mr. Ganguli,” she says.

Question

“According to these documents, your son’s legal name is Gogol.”

“That is correct. But please allow me to explain–”

“That you want us to call him Nikhil.”

“That is correct.”

Mrs. Lapidus nods. “The reason being?”

“That is our wish.”

“I’m not sure I follow you, Mr. Ganguli. Do you mean that Nikhil is a middle name? Or a nickname? Many of the children go by nicknames here. On this form there is a space –”

“No, no, it’s not a middle name,” Ashoke says. He is beginning to lose patience. “He has no middle name. No nickname. The boy’s good name, his school name, is Nikhil.”

Mrs. Lapidus presses her lips together and smiles. “But clearly he doesn’t respond.”

“Please, Mrs. Lapidus,” Ashoke says. “It is very common for a child to be confused at first. Please give it some time. I assure you he will grow accustomed.”

–The Namesake,
Jhumpa Lahore

What conflict is revealed through Ashoke’s conversation with Mrs. Lapidus?

external conflict between Ashoke’s traditional Indian culture and American culture

internal conflict between Gogol’s father’s cultural beliefs and his mother’s beliefs

external conflict between Gogol and Mrs. Lapidus over which name he will be called

internal conflict within Ashoke over whether to demand his way

Answer 1

The conflict revealed through Ashoke’s conversation with Mrs. Lapidus is primarily external conflict between Ashoke’s traditional Indian culture and American culture. This conversation underscores the differences in cultural perspectives regarding names and identity. In Ashoke's Indian culture, names carry significant meaning and heritage, and he wishes for his son to be called Nikhil, which reflects that heritage. In contrast, Mrs. Lapidus embodies an American cultural perspective, which may place less emphasis on the significance of a name and how it is used in a school setting. This tension highlights the challenges faced by immigrant families trying to navigate their traditional values in a new cultural landscape.

Answer 2

Mrs. Lapidus] tears up the old registration form and asks Mrs. McNab to type up a new one. Then she takes Gogol by the hand, down a carpeted hallway with painted cement walls. She opens a door, and Gogol is introduced to his teacher, Miss Watkins, a woman with hair in two braids, wearing overalls and clogs. Inside the classroom it’s a small universe of nicknames – Andrew is Andy, Alexandra Sandy, William Billy, Elizabeth Lizzy. It is nothing like the schooling Gogol’s parents have known, fountain pens and polished black shoes and notebooks and good names and sir or madam at a tender age. Here the only official ritual is pledging allegiance first thing in the morning to the American flag. For the rest of the day, they sit at a communal round table, drinking punch and eating cookies, taking naps on little orange cushions on the floor. At the end of his first day he is sent home with a letter to his parents from Mrs. Lapidus, folded and stapled to a string around his neck, explaining that due to their son’s preference he will be known as Gogol at school. What about the parents’ preference? Ashima and Ashoke wonder, shaking their heads. But since neither of them feels comfortable pressing the issue, they have no choice but to give in.

–The Namesake,
Jhumpa Lahiri

Based on the passage, which statement best summarizes the effect of globalization on Gogol and his parents?

Globalization has made Gogol immediately comfortable with American culture.

Globalization has forced Gogol to reject Indian culture.

Globalization has forced changes on Gogol’s family that he accepts, but thathis parents resist.

Globalization has brought changes to Gogol’s family that they are learning to like.

Answer 3

The statement that best summarizes the effect of globalization on Gogol and his parents is: Globalization has forced changes on Gogol’s family that he accepts, but that his parents resist.

This is evident in the passage, where Gogol is navigating a school environment vastly different from what his parents experienced, filled with informal names and a relaxed atmosphere. While Gogol is adapting to this new culture and is seemingly okay with being called Gogol at school, his parents, particularly Ashima and Ashoke, are puzzled and somewhat resistant to this change, as they hold on to their traditional values and preferences regarding names and identity.