Namesake Chapter 9 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

How long did Gogol and Moushumi date?

A year

How and when had Nikhil proposed to Moushumi?

Nikhil had proposed with the hat he had bought her and proposed on her birthday.

What type of wedding did they want?

A simple classic NY wedding

Who planned the wedding?

Their parents Signup and view all the answers

What type of wedding was it?

A traditional Bengali wedding Signup and view all the answers

Why did they not have the wedding they wanted?

It was easier to just go along with what their parents wanted. Signup and view all the answers

Where was the wedding held?

Double Tree hotel in NJ Signup and view all the answers

How do Gogol and Maxine act at the wedding?

They interact very little with each other at the wedding. Signup and view all the answers

What concerns does Gogol have about the wedding?

He worries the wedding is not fancy enough, that she still loves Graham, and that she regrets marrying a Bengali-American. Signup and view all the answers

What kinds of cash wedding gifts do Bengalis give?

Bengalis give checks in odd numbers in the 1-2 hundred range. Signup and view all the answers

How much money do they get at the wedding?

$7000 Signup and view all the answers

Does Moushumi change her last name when she gets married?

False Signup and view all the answers

Why does Moushumi keep her last name?

She wants to also keep her independence. Signup and view all the answers

Did Gogol want her to change her name?

Yes, he hoped she would change her name. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Gogol want her to change her name?

He hoped it would pay tribute to his dad. Signup and view all the answers

Why do they go to Paris?

Moushumi is giving a talk at the Sorbonne. Signup and view all the answers

Do they enjoy the trip?

Gogol enjoys being a tourist while Moushumi misses Paris. Signup and view all the answers

What does Gogol think about Moushumi's smoking?

At first, he finds it mysterious but overtime it bothers him. Signup and view all the answers

What does Gogol feel about Donald and Astrid?

He is jealous of her emotional relationship with Donald and Astrid. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Donald think that Gogol is better for Moushumi than Graham?

Because Moushumi and Graham were too much alike. Signup and view all the answers

What are Moushumi's friends like?

Her friends are wealthy, intellectuals, and artists. Signup and view all the answers

How does Gogol feel about Moushumi's friends?

Gogol is not comfortable with them and feels he has to pretend to be someone else. Signup and view all the answers

What secret of Gogol's does Moushumi reveal at the party?

She tells everyone that Gogol changed his name. Signup and view all the answers

How does Gogol react to Moushumi revealing his secret at the party?

He is hurt that she would do this without asking him. Signup and view all the answers

What does the party say when they learn Gogol's name?

They make fun of his original name. Signup and view all the answers

What does Moushumi's name mean?

A damp southwesterly breeze Signup and view all the answers

What does Gogol realize about his relationship with Moushumi during the party?

That his life may seem satisfying but he is actually angry and lonely. Signup and view all the answers

How does this chapter deal with the idea of 'open' and 'closed' mindedness?

Moushumi's friends pretend to be very worldly and open-minded but are actually very judgemental. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Engagement

Gogol and Moushumi dated for a year before engagement.
Nikhil proposed to Moushumi on her birthday using a hat as a symbol.

Planning the Wedding

Desired a simple, classic New York wedding but ended up with a traditional Bengali wedding.
The wedding was orchestrated by their parents to accommodate cultural expectations.
Ceremony took place at the Double Tree hotel in New Jersey.

The Wedding

Gogol and Maxine interact minimally during the wedding.
Gogol worries the wedding lacks extravagance, fears Moushumi still loves her ex, and questions her commitment.
Nikhil gains insight into his parents’ bravery in marrying without knowing each other, appreciating their sacrifices.
Bengali custom dictates cash gifts in odd-numbered checks ranging from $100 to $200 for good luck, totaling around $7,000 received at the wedding.

Wedding Certificate

Moushumi retains her maiden name due to her academic publishing career and a desire for independence.
Nikhil hoped she would adopt his surname as a tribute to his father, desiring symbolic continuity.

Trip to Paris

The couple travels to Paris for Moushumi’s presentation at the Sorbonne.
Gogol enjoys the tourist experience, whereas Moushumi feels disconnected and longs for authenticity.
Gogol's initial intrigue with Moushumi's smoking turns to concern about her health and motivations, perceiving it as an effort to seem sophisticated.

Donald & Astrid

Gogol experiences jealousy towards Moushumi's intimacy with Donald and Astrid.
Donald believes Gogol complements Moushumi better than Graham due to their similar personalities.

Moushumi's Other Friends

Moushumi's circle consists of wealthy, intellectual, and artistic individuals.
Gogol feels uncomfortable and pressured to alter his persona around them and becomes disenchanted with Moushumi's behavior in their presence.

Gogol's Secret

Moushumi reveals Gogol's name change at a party, causing him deep hurt.
This disclosure leads Gogol to question Moushumi’s regard for him and her feelings about their cultural differences.
Party guests mock Gogol’s original name, implying a disconnection from literary significance associated with it.

The Party

Moushumi’s name means a damp southwesterly breeze, a fact Gogol finds surprising.
Gogol asserts that names are imperfect and suggests using pronouns until children reach maturity, prompting annoyance from Moushumi.
He realizes during the party that despite external appearances, he feels angry and isolated in his relationship with Moushumi.

Themes

The chapter contrasts the superficial “open-mindedness” of Moushumi's friends with their underlying judgmental attitudes towards different cultures.

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Description

Test your knowledge of Chapter 9 from 'The Namesake' with these flashcards. Explore key details about Gogol and Moushumi's relationship, their engagement, and wedding plans. Perfect for students looking to review important themes and events in this part of the novel.