A name is; a title, a tag, a label, it defines who one is. In the novel, The Namesake, by the author Jhumpa Lahiri, there is a difference in tone between two key passages, one in chapter four and the other in chapter five. The shift in tone from the narrative voice reveals a deeper meaning to Gogol's name.
For instance the tone alters in the two passages, through the use of diction. In the first passage, Gogol feels this unflattering snapshot of himself, "the sight of it printed in capital letters on the crinkly page upsets him viscerally" (300). The author's use of diction portrays a negative connotation and tone to the passage; the use of the word "viscerally" gives this image of a deep down, emotional, hatred of his name. The usage of the word has a harsh sounding colour that gives the impression of anguish and annoyance. However in chapter five the diction used represents a new beginning and an enlightened Gogol. Gogol's father tells him the meaning of his name, "bound up with a catastrophe he has unwittingly embodied for years" (338).
The usage of "embodied" symbolises the triumph achieved to eventually understanding his name. The diction can also allude to this journey Gogol has struggled with to finding his namesake, and he has finally "embodied" his true form.Additionally the author uses syntax to represent a change in the two passages. In chapter four Gogol tries to draw little attention to himself in class, for he is ashamed of his name, "Perhaps, Gogol begins to wonder hopefully.
.. Perhaps he's forgotten about it" (301). The author uses abrupt, concise sentences to transmit this anxiousness and worry that Gogol feels.
The repeating of the word "perhaps" again shows us the nervousness that Gogol feels as well as giving a rhythmic effect to the writing. Within the second passage, the syntax has transformed, "And suddenly his pet name, uttered by his father as he has been accustomed to hearing all his life, means something completely new..." (337-38). The structure of this passage's sentences has now changed; the missing pieces of the puzzle that Gogol could not find have finally matched up.
The author's use of this parallel structure illustrates this coming of age, realising his names meaning. Moreover it incorporates a rhyme and certain positive tone to it. The parallel structure additionally adds passion to what Gogol feels, as if an excited child blurts out how thrilled and excited he is for his birthday.Likewise between both passages there is poetic foreshadowing. Gogol's father Ashoke was in a dramatic accident, he held up his hand with a piece of paper, to catch the attention of the rescue team.
In the first passage Gogol hopes that his teacher will not assign the reading of the book "the overcoat", "But as the bell rings, and the students rise collectively from their desks, Mr Lawson holds up his hand" (301). The author alludes to Ashoke's accident; "holds up his hand" it foreshadows events to come in the novel. Gogol's father has not mentioned the real meaning of his name, and the author leaves a tone of suspense to portray new incidents to come.For this reason the tone shifts, the passage has a sense of anger and annoyance, but it ends with a suspenseful sign that something is going to happen. Within passage two in the same way one sees foreshadowing. Gogol's father explains why he was named Gogol, "you remind me of everything that followed" (338).
Throughout this passage it has this tone that is relief and a sense of moving forward. Gogol reminds his father of everything that happened after the crash, and in a way the author has left a key purpose to Gogol's name, but it leaves the reader wanting more. Gogol has now realised his name, but one wants to know what he'll do, will he accept his name and become who he is, or take a different path. The author's use of "followed" provides an implication that the story continues, and there is more to come.As a result, one does see the shift in tone from the narrative voice that exhibits a profound significance to Gogol's name.
The author, Jhumpa Lahiri shows some noticeable attributes to convey a deeper meaning to Gogol's name, such as diction, syntax and foreshadowing. Words have meaning and names have power.
