1. The Namesake
Wrap up and big ideas

2. Motifs, Symbols and Imagery
Trains
Books
Food
Presents/Gifts
Cites/Houses/Apartments/Homes
Money
Parties
Drawing/art
Hands
Photos
Consider the purpose in the text: create character, atmosphere, generate mood in the reader develop theme
Who is connected to them? What extensions/connections can you make?
Setting and description of it – connect to character’s mood or atmosphere of the moment

3. Big Topics – Possible for theme?
Culture and Cultural Patterns
Food clothing music
Identity or Individuality
Names or change
Self confidence
Acceptance or fear of rejection
Secrets or lies
Communication
Extremes (black and white or all or nothing
Alienation/loneliness

4. Characters - theme Character flaws
Foils (contrasting characters highlight aspects of a main character)
Personal quests – physical, spiritual, emotional

5. Progression of relationship
Kim
Ruth
Maxine
Brigitte
Moushumi

6. Identity Gogol – Nikhil (episode with Kim)
Ashoke – Gogol’s page of story keeps him alive
Reading saved his life
Rebirth
Gogol - Acceptance / rejection of his own name and identity
Push/pull culture and relationship with parents

7. Identity Narrated as Gogol even when he’s living as Nikhil
Name and personality – wears identity like clothing
Distancing vs rejecting
More open /aware of American culture
Judgmental/ critical
14th birthday name avoided

8. Identity Pre/post Nikhil Women Parents Overcoat Marriage
Death of father

9. Other ideas to discuss
Ashima – growth – shaped by her relationships with men
Independence
Loss
Purpose (American v. Bengali grandkids?)
Moshumi – avoidance
Time manipulation

10. Morality Moshumi’s versus Gogol’s Dimitri – Rebound Materialism
Convenience
Dramatic Irony (POV)
Comfort vs mystery