The Namesake Chs. 1-4

How does the reader know that Gogol has never received a gift from his father before?

• Gogol cries gratefully to himself after his father leaves, treasuring the gift through college

• Gogol is surprised to see his father, since his mother usually buys the gifts and writes his dad's name on them

• Gogol is vitriolic, throwing the gift across the room since he doesn't want anything from his father

• Gogol runs to his sister and closest friends, telling them that his father finally got him a gift inspite of their economic situation

During their first phone call from India, Ashoke and Ashima learn what news?

• Ashoke's brother ran away from home and needs to stay with them

• Ashima's sister has married a friend of their father's

• Ashoke's professor died in a train accident

• Ashima's father has passed away

Gogol's name, his "namesake," is

• Indian

• American

• British

• Russian

How do Ashoke and Ashima plan to name their baby?

• They will ask their American friends for names because they want an American name.

• Ashoke will name the baby, because Indian fathers always name their children.

• They have asked Ashoke's relatives in India to come up with a suitable name.

• Ashima's grandmother will send a letter with a boy name and a girl name.

How does Ashoke earn money?

• He works as a waiter by day, professor at night classes

• He is an assistant medical practitioner

• He works as an engineer for a major tech company

• He is a graduate teaching assistant at university

Who decides that Gogol will not be called Nikhil in kindergarten?

• Ashoke

• Mrs. Lapidus, the Principal

• Ashima

• Mr. Lawson, his teacher

In India, is it necessary to come up with a name for a child immediately after birth?

• No, if parents are pusillanimous about choosing a name for themselves, they are permitted to wait a week or two

• Yes, because announcements cannot be sent out until the child has a name

• No, because Bengalis believe names can wait

• Yes, because a name is extremely important in India, especially to those in higher echelons

Explain the theme of this excerpt from The Namesake.

"Ghosh shook his head. 'You are still young. Free,' he said, spreading his hands apart for emphasis. 'Do yourself a favor. Before it's too late, without thinking too much about it first, pack a pillow and a blanket and see as much of the world as you can. You will not regret it. One day it will be too late.'"

• Travel is meretricious.

• If you don't leave, you'll be stuck here forever.

• Talking with strangers while traveling leads to all kinds of mischief.

• Reading books instead of traveling causes one to become supercilious.

Explain what really happens when Gogol and his friends go to the party .

• Nikhil allows Gogol to be free of his family constraints and expectations.

• Gogol hides in the bathroom, ashamed to participate in such an American affair.

• Gogol convinces Nikhil to go home.

• Gogol and Kim start a relationship for the first time.

"We all came out of Gogol's overcoat" means what?

• The Ganguli family played together and wound up twisted in their son's jacket.

• Gogol had such a profound impact on his family that they are all changed because of him, and not for the better.

• Gogol, despite living such a short life, influenced his writing contemporaries more than anyone really realized.

• Sofia and Gogol created new identities after putting on his coat.