Similarities and Differences in the Essence of Marriage in the Story of the Namesake, Essay Example

Although the story of The Namesake is more concerned on the distinction of how important is a name to an individual’s identity, there is also another aspect of human living that makes this novel a good read. Considering that the main characters involve a family, it basically is expected to discuss love and affection between people who are interrelated to each other. Among the most important point of relationship in the story is that of marriage. Two specific individuals having their own uniqueness and yet are put together could be considered as something of a greater gift than one’s own personal realization of self-importance. Among the characters though, such kind of relationship has been defined in two specifically different ways. In the discussion that follows, a distinction on the comparison and contrast of showing the said type of connection between two people shall be better defined based on the characters involved in the novel. To make each comparison easier to follow, the distinction of comparisons and contrasts to be shown herein shall be based on the three phases of marriage, the pre-marriage, the marriage proper [or the time of being together] and the post-marriage phase.

Relatively, it could be analyzed that one conflict that the author of this novel used is that of culture and nationality. The couples Ashima and Ashoke both came from Calcutta in India. Considerably, even though they may have differences in personality, they have one thing in common and that is their culture. The couple utilized such similarity to be the binding element that could provide them better chances for a longer marriage. On the other end, their son, although may have married a woman from Bengali did not have that certain connection with his wife Moushumi. This basically is perhaps because of the fact that even though Gogol [the son of Ashoke and Ashima] was from Bengali, he was not raised there nor did he realize the culture of his people at an early age. In fact, because of the situations he has been subjected to, it could be considered that he is even more American than he is Indian.

The marriage-proper of both couples had their ups and downs. However, Ashima and Ashoke worked hard to make their relationship work even at the middle of several family difficulties especially regarding their son Gogol. Gogol’s marriage on the other hand is more of a hypocritical representation of love as his wife Moushumi committed adultery and gas placed their marriage in jeopardy. This has caused both depression and disappointment on the part of Gogol.

The post-marriage phase was somewhat different for the couples examined in the story. Ashima and Ashoke’s love was ended by death, which means that both worked hard to keep their connection intact. On the other end, Gogol’s relationship became more of a failure as it ended in divorce. Relatively, the end-phase of every relationship is often saddening and depressing at times. Nevertheless, it is often the reason for such end that makes the pain even harder to accept.

In conclusion, marriage in the face of the couples who were examined in the novel was presented to come from different point of views based on two different sources of confidence. The love of Ashoke and Ashima was more sincere and pure compared to what Gogol and Moushumi had. Understandably, it was because of this fact that the relationships ended differently. Starting out in a better path of course leads a marriage into a path of happiness. No matter how happy one wants his marriage to be, if he starts off wrongfully, then good results may come at a very vague time. It is unlikely that goodness could come from poorly considered decisions that end up in failed marriages.