International Journal of English, Literature and Social Sciences (IJELS) Vol-4, Issue-6, Nov – Dec 2019

https://dx.doi.org/10.22161/ijels.46.12 ISSN: 2456-7620

A Delineation: Diaspora to Multiculturalism in

Jhumpa Lahiri’s ‘The Namesake’
Vijaylaxmi
Research Scholar, Banasthali University, Vanasthali, Rajasthan, India

Abstract— In the global world of today everyone is a migrant, dislocating from the place of origin due to market
forces, political conflicts, disasters and so on. The dispersal of people from their homeland to various parts of
the world resulted in enhancing the cultural diversity. Multiculturalism and Diaspora have given a significant
contribution in increasing the proximity among the peoples in the world. It is due to the effect of Diaspora and
multiculturalism that new concepts like transnationalism, cosmopolitanism and globalization have emerged. The
differences and distances embedded with various myths about varied cultural diversities came to end which
provided a space for cultural relativism, cultural tolerance, hybridity and assimilation. The term
multiculturalism is often compared with ‘salad bowl’ due to the coexistence of culturally varied groups of people
in terms of social structure, religions, languages, race, foods, customs and rituals. In the present scenario US
can be considered as a best paragon of cultural diversity where people from all parts of the world have
accumulated with their cultural bag-gages. India and China which are the most populous countries in the world
have set their imprints in America. The phrases like ‘Little India’ and ‘Chinatown’ can be easily heard on
American streets. Asians have consolidated their feet on American soil in every possible zone – food, clothing,
health, literature, entertainment, film and drama. In the midst of this diversity Asian writers emerged with a
plethora of colorful Asian culture. In ‘The Namesake’ Jhumapa Lahiri has portrayed South Asian cultural
diversity in customary behaviors’, cultural assumptions and values, patterns of thinking, and communicative
styles in contact with west.
Keywords— Multiculturalism, Diaspora, Jhumpa Lahiri, The Namesake.

Peace and prosperity in the world depends upon no more restricted to the forceful and involuntary
the mutual understanding and respect along with the space expulsion; rather, in the 20th century, the range of its
for the diverse groups of people. People seem to have meaning has increased to such an extent that it is
taken lessons from the past which was full of racial applicable to the migrants of all kind.
intolerance, skirmishes and conflicts. It is the effect of In the global world of today, the world has
these lessons that a kind of ‘give and take’ relation has set shrunk; countries and people have come closer with the
up in the contemporary world where every group of people development of a better understanding of the differences
or community has an equal right. These groups have and the respect for each other. Transnationalism and
succeeded in establishing a congenial ambience in the multiculturalism seems to have become a part of life and
world which endorses mutual coexistence. The credit goes their influence is so strong that it is starkly visible in
to Diasporas for transforming the racially rigid and metropolitan cities. One can observe different temples,
unmoving world into a flexible and compromising one. cultural centers, ethnic restaurants, charities and businesses
Earlier the meaning of the term ‘Diaspora’ was carrying both linguistic signs and official language. For
limited to some specific words like spread, scatter, example: Little Italy, Chinatown or Little India. This
disperse and it was significantly associated to the exile of shows people belong to two places, their connection with
Jews from Israel. With the passage of time the meaning of native nation and adoption of the host nation provides
the term expanded due to the inclusion of a variety of them with two homelands. They belong to both ‘here and
Diasporas – Victim (Jews, Africans, Armenians), Labor there’; they are free to incline toward ‘this or that’, which
(indentured Indians, Chinese, Japanese, Turks, Italians, results in creating their own transnational identities.
North Africans), Imperial (British settlers), Trade In the past western powers had suffused their
(Lebanese, Chinese, business and professional Indians, language and culture in the rest of the world by forming
Chinese, Japanese), Deterritorialised (Caribbean people, colonies. But with the rise of decolonization and
Sindhi’s, Parsi’s). As a result, the meaning of the term is globalization the rest of the world has scattered and

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International Journal of English, Literature and Social Sciences (IJELS) Vol-4, Issue-6, Nov – Dec 2019
https://dx.doi.org/10.22161/ijels.46.12 ISSN: 2456-7620

implanted its communities and cultures in the west through romances as its favorite genre. Its impact could be seen
Diasporas. Among this flux of diasporas, South Asians when Director Baz Luhrmann recycled American Pop for
have migrated to west in millions and have played a his Bollywood homage, “Moulin Rouge”. In 1990s, Hong
crucial role in widening the horizons of opportunities for Kong style action film reached its zenith. Hong Kong
the people worldwide. South Asia has a unique and action choreographers were hired for the blockbusters like
recognizable culture which is heterogeneous in form. The ‘The Matrix’ and ‘Charlie’s Angles’
diversity of South Asia is remarkable in terms of ethnicity, The impact and influence of South Asians is
languages and religions. It is divided into six nations: evident in the field of religion and philosophy also. ‘Iskon
India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan. Temple’ in Varndavan, UP (India) is known for
Among them, India is the most pluralistic and diverse. captivating Krishna hymns sung by the British. The same
The continuous flow of diasporas from South influence could be seen in England where the British are
Asia has established its communities worldwide which has seen dressed in saffron or red colored robes and visiting
contributed significantly in the global phenomenon. Indian Temples or dancing and chanting Hare Ram.
Various exchange programs in the field of education, trade Foreigners in abundance are driven toward India in search
and business, industrialization, science and technology of peace and spiritualism. History is full of instances
etc., have been initiated. For example, the exchange of presenting South Asians as people with substance. Swami
ideas is quite visible in education sector; where Indians Vivekanand was the first Indian who received a standing
have brought in the pattern of ‘student centered education ovation in America during a Religious Conference. In the
system’ and ‘grading system’ from the west; the west has contemporary world, eminent writer like Jhumpa Lahiri
replaced punishment with meditation. Another example has received the highest award-‘Pulitzer Prize’ for
can be taken from the phrase ‘multinational companies’; it ‘Interpreter of Maldies’. Consequently, South Asians have
reflects the idea that corporate world is not limited to one succeeded in crafting opportunities for themselves and for
particular national company rather it has become an saving a place for their existence in the global race.
amalgamation of various nations; here as well, there is a In the realm of literature South Asian writers have
big demand for Indian labor force because they are known made their presence felt on the global front by presenting
for giving outstanding outputs at low wages and are also varied and vivid themes like cultural adaptation, religion,
considered as more efficient. In the west, teaching has socio-cultural institutions, hybridization and assimilation.
become a complex and herculean task as teachers are Jhumpa Lahiri, who is a South Asian writer by origin, has
responsible for every tiny move of their students; therefore justly presented the impact of west upon east and vice-
people in west generally avoid getting into such versa which has drawn a trail for cultural relativism,
professions. As a result, the importance of South Asians is cultural tolerance and transnationalism to follow. In her
further asserted by regular advertisements for teachers, novel ‘The Namesake’, there are four characters, each
engineers, nurses and so on. In terms of food also, Indian presenting a different aspect of Diasporas. Ashoke can be
beverages like ‘mango delight’, food packages like seen as a representative of ‘English modeled Indian,’ his
Haldiram and various Indian spices have become character presents the impact of west upon Indians.
prominent at food corners in the west. Ashima, Ashoke’s wife, is seen upholding the theme of
Decades ago English ruled most of the world but ‘cultural isolation’ and ‘ethno-consciousness’. Gogol, their
today it seems the two major South Asian countries, India son, presents the example of assimilation and
and China are all set to take over the role of English by hybridization. But Sonia, their daughter, displays
ruling the world indirectly as it is evident from their transnationalism predominantly through her character.
increasing impact upon world economy and rising After the dawn of independence in India, its fresh
importance upon various global issues. Today, they have youth started taking journeys to foreign lands in search of
grown to such an extent that it won’t be imprecise to call better opportunities and with a dream of improving the
them ‘the fastest developing Asian giants’. They are also conditions of loved ones back in homeland. In ‘The
crucial for the economy of today’s world leader, America. Namesake’, we find Ashoke in the similar context; he goes
The population of both the countries provides huge market to America in search of a bright future. We see him
to American imported goods and cheap labor for American striving hard for making his respectable place in America.
companies. And he does achieve his dream, becomes a professor and
The Indian and Hong Kong film industries proved owns a well furnished house, has an obedient Indian wife.
to be the main sources for bringing the noticeable change The impact of west upon Ashoke is clearly apparent in the
in Hollywood. Indian films are well known for its musical novel. Ashoke has always been careful regarding his

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International Journal of English, Literature and Social Sciences (IJELS) Vol-4, Issue-6, Nov – Dec 2019
https://dx.doi.org/10.22161/ijels.46.12 ISSN: 2456-7620

outfits. He takes care that he is well dressed with a tie and about her job and her mother for whom she decides to get
formal pair of shirt and pants while going to the university an apartment near the city where her mother resides.
or boarding a flight. Like his grandfather, he shows great “Sonia is staying on with Ashima, thinking of getting an
admiration for English writers. He had read all the possible apartment in Boston or Cambridge so that she will be
English novels at an early age. Another example of his nearby.” (Lahiri 183, 184) She also sets a perfect example
foreign taste can be seen when Ashima was admitted in the of mingling of two cultures without friction in between.
hospital, unlike Ashima who has read Desh numberless We see her both in Indian and western outfits, celebrating
times, the only Bengali magazine that she brought on her both Christmas and taking part in Bengali pujo
way to America, Ashoke preferred American Boston In ‘The Namesake’ through first and second
Globe. generation immigrants Jhumpa Lahiri has depicted the
The character of Ashima on the other had is in shifts that have taken place in the concept called
stark contrast with that of Ashoke. She purely represents ‘Diaspora’. All these four characters narrate four different
Indian cultural identity and cultural isolation. Throughout tales from four different perspectives presenting a
the novel, we see her in Indian saris, cooking Indian food, contribution by South Asians in developing and
making attempts to celebrate Indian ceremonies as ritually maintaining peace and prosperity in the world. Nations
as possible, pining to visit homeland. Unlike Ashoke, under south Asia are considered as developing or
Ashim is deep rooted in her culture, in the legacy which underdeveloped countries. Major part of Asia was once
has been passed down to her by her elders. ruled by British and they have always taken it as
Out of the four characters in ‘The Namesake’, backward, uncivilized, barbarous and devoid of any
Gogol’s character is the most complex one. We see culture. The character of Ashoke has proved them wrong.
Ashima’s clear inclination towards her land, Ashoke He succeeded in raising and establishing himself as a
remains in a kind of neutral zone, almost unaffected, Sonia distinguished and accomplished professor who taught the
is more of a transnational kind. The position of the three of English on their very own land. Ashima had contributed in
them is clear; they make it simply by opting one of the enhancing the multiculturalism by keeping alive her
ends. Contrary to them Gogol hangs in the middle of two original identity; her character has maintained the sanctity
nations and two cultures. His character sets an example of of Indian culture. Whichever place was colonized by
assimilation. He is neither completely Indian nor British by English, they tried to generate English modeled
American. He is not loyal to any of the sides. In spite of natives to help them running the administration. But
the fact that he does not like Indian culture over American, contrary to this nature of West, Gogol’s character has
in spite of the reality that he cannot put his privacy and shown the quality of assimilation, adapting and adjusting;
individualism on stake for the sake of his family, still there which consolidates the point that Asians are flexible and
are few delicate threads which survive inside him to keep compromising one when it comes to promote mutual
him connected with his family and this connection does understanding. The role of a transnational played by Sonia
matter to Gogol. further strengthens the idea that humans should not be
Contrary to her brother Gogol, Sonia’s character restricted by boundaries. To tie the world with peace and
is a simple one, far above from the complexities of borders prosperity, they should go beyond the boundaries and that
and cultures. Her acceptance of New England without any is what South Asians have been seen doing in the novel.
dilemma becomes clear right on her annaparsanam Struggle accompanied with hard work has
ceremony when she was an infant. “She plays with the dirt established South Asians in the foreign regions. They have
they’ve dug up from the yard and threatens to put the succeeded in creating opportunities for themselves and in
dollar bill into her mouth. ‘This one, one of the guests proving their mettle in every possible zone. The changing
remarks, ‘this one is the true American’.” (Lahiri 63) roles of Diasporas from immigrants to multicultural
She appears to be a transnational because she is communities to transnational’s have contributed
balanced and unaffected by both the nations and their significantly in keeping their South Asian identity alive in
cultures and succeeds in assembling their characteristics foreign regions while simultaneously collaborating in
equally in her personality. We never find her confused or creating a space for mutual understanding and
having a conflict upon adopting this or that. She gets transnational identities.
happily married to a Jewish American without ending up
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International Journal of English, Literature and Social Sciences (IJELS) Vol-4, Issue-6, Nov – Dec 2019
https://dx.doi.org/10.22161/ijels.46.12 ISSN: 2456-7620

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