Analysis Of The Namesake And The Dew Breaker

Surname 1

Student’s Name

Instructor’s Name

Course

Date

Analysis of the depiction of immigrant experiences in The Dew Breaker and The Namesake

Most countries have immigrants from different nations. The immigrants arrived in such

countries because of various reasons. Some of the reasons include political instability in the

parent country, coming for further studies, seeking employment or just in pursuit of a better-

living standard. Immigrants arrive with their different cultures which makes a nation

multicultural. In the Namesake and The Dew Breaker, we are shown a different group of people

who have immigrated to the United States. In the case of the book The Namesake, the reason for

migrating is to seek a better life. In the book The Dew Breaker, the reason for relocation was to

evade political instability. From the twos books, however, the issue of difference in culture

stands out with each depicting a different assimilation process by the different characters. This

paper will analyze the depiction of the immigrant experiences and their assimilation into the

American culture.

Being a foreigner for Ashima is a challenge. She has been used to her Bengali way of life

and the new culture taking a toll on her. For Ashima, she has not integrated into the American

culture at all. This goes as well for Ashoke, her husband. Their relationship with the American

culture can be explained using the mixed salad theory. The first experience for Ashima and

Ashoke is during Gogol’s birth. When they are in the maternity, they start to talk using the

Bengali language which none of the nurses understand. The nurses are left wondering what is

Surname 2

going on. This is a clear indication of the different languages the two cultures use. While the

Americans have been used to English in all their communication, Ashoke and Ashima use

Bengali, which is the language they are used to. This shows the distinct differences between the

two cultures. As can be seen, both Ashoke and Ashima are not forcing themselves to speak

English between each other. Both use the language they have been used for conversing. As much

as they are in the United States, it does not mean to them that they have to ditch their language

entirely.

Ashoke and Ashima also decide to name their baby in their Bengali way. This is where

the child is given two names, a good name and a pet name. “Not only Gogol Ganguli has a pet

name turned good name, but the last name turned the first name” (Danticat 78). The pet name is

only used by the family members while the good name is used by every individual. The couple

has not abandoned their culture despite the differences between their culture and that of the

United States. Using the mixed salad theory, it can be seen that there are two cultures surviving

in the same country. Both cultures have their distinct identities while still occupying the same

space in peace. In the mixed salad theory, the different cultures inhabit the same place or

environment, mingling, integrating but while each is having that distinct characteristic or aspect

of its culture. For the Ashoke and Ashima, they have maintained their child-naming process in

the United States which uses a different naming process. Also, they use their language even in

public places without ridicule or any situation as such.

In contrast, their son, Gogol has fully assimilated into the American culture. At first, he

was not willing to give up his name Gogol while in lower classes. However, he suddenly decides

to change his name because he does not like it. Also, he chooses an American girl over his

Bengali preferred woman as a girlfriend. Gogol assimilates fully to the American culture and

Surname 3

abandons the ways of his parents. When compared to the theory of the melting pot, Gogol fully

portrays it in every way. For Gogol, he has merged little of his parent’s culture apart from only

using the names. The melting pot theory is where two or more cultures mix to finally bring one

culture. The dominant culture usually prevails over the smaller ones or rather, the minority

group. In this case, it can be identified that the minority group is the Bengali where Gogol falls

into. The dominant culture is that the American culture. Apart from the name Nikhil he uses,

Gogol has copied all the ways of the Americans and in that, assimilated to their ways. As such,

this can be described as the melting pot of Bengali and the American culture in Gogol’s case.

In The Day breaker, we are introduced to different characters who have migrated from

Haiti. The immigrants experience range from miserable, fair to comfortable. The book shows

that the difference in culture between the Americans and the Haitians is not huge. However, it

could still be seen that some individuals are suffering to grasp the culture of this country. This

can be shown by the marriage partners. All of the have only married people from their country.

There is not a single one who has married an American or a person from another country. Their

experiences as immigrants have made it hard for them to get such spouses. As such, they have

married each other and only live in groups. This shows their difference with the Americans. If

they were that free or had embraced the American way of life, some would have married or get

married to an American. This betrays their assimilation to the American people and exemplifies

the mixing salad theory.

The theory of the melting pot can best be best used in this book. In the story Seven, we

are introduced to the Character seven who lives in the basement with his two friends. When his

wife arrives, he warns his housemates never to talk about the drinking spree they had in New

York or the women they brought to the house. This shows that they had already embraced the

Surname 4

American culture. Although drinking alcohol is a common practice in many countries, to the

Haitian people, it is frowned upon, and that is why he does not want his wife to know. This is an

adapted behavior which she first engaged in after arriving in the country. Also, seven could be

seen begging the roommates not to talk about bringing girls to the basement house. This can be

identified as cheating on his wife. This is some of the common things that are witnessed in the

country. This kind of acquired culture with a little from the Haitian side can be identified as

melting pot. This is where a new character has emerged and both the Haitian way of life has been

fused with the American culture.

All the other characters in the Dew Breaker are seen adopting the new ways. They are

comfortable with the American life, and their immigrant crisis is limited. As a matter of fact,

they have no problem with the way they are adapting to the country. All the characters have

adopted the culture of their adopted country. They only have a few aspects of their Haitian

heritage such as naming. This is a clear example of melting pot theory where the cultures

intermingle to produce one single culture.

In conclusion, it can be identified that immigrants go through various changes while

adapting to a certain country. The difference in cultures presents a challenge to their way of life.

An amicable point can, however, be reached among different cultures where each is comfortable.

However, it is better the different cultures to have their unique characteristics rather than

developing one culture from multiple groups. The unique traditions enhance multicultural

aspects of a country and bring diversity which makes a nation interesting. The two books show

how people enhances the culture of a certain country. It also shows how difficult it is for

immigrants to integrate into a foreign culture. The namesake, for example, is an epitome of the

Surname 5

problems immigrants face especially those whose first language is not English. Having a

diversity of culture is of best interest to a nation.

Place new order. It's free, fast and safe

Paper type

Deadline

Page count

550 words

Total price: $ 15.00

Our customers say

Jeff Curtis

USA, Student

"I'm fully satisfied with the essay I've just received. When I read it, I felt like it was exactly what I wanted to say, but couldn’t find the necessary words. Thank you!"

Ian McGregor

UK, Student

"I don’t know what I would do without your assistance! With your help, I met my deadline just in time and the work was very professional. I will be back in several days with another assignment!"

Shannon Williams

Canada, Student

"It was the perfect experience! I enjoyed working with my writer, he delivered my work on time and followed all the guidelines about the referencing and contents."

Analysis of The Namesake and The Dew Breaker

Place new order. It's free, fast and safe

Our customers say

Jeff Curtis

Ian McGregor

Shannon Williams