Chapter 10 of Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Namesake tells of the relationship issues between the newlywed couple Gogol and Moushumi. Although they seemed to love each other when dating and their engagement, the first year of their marriage proved otherwise. With little time spent together and a lack of communication the couple seemed doomed to fail. On top of this Moushumi cannot find happiness and blames everyone but herself. She remarks to Gogol once during dinner that “It’s not what I thought it would be” (252). Although directly speaking about her meal, she indirectly addresses her lack the happiness in her marriage. With a dejected tone and negative diction she indirectly characterizes herself as miserable. At first this quote evoked some sympathy from me. I have been in a situation before which I looked forward to and as soon as I got there wanted to get out of it. However, shortly after, this quote made me frustrated with Moushumi. The narrator explains that “She has ignored Nikhil perhaps more than necessary” (246). The narrator continued to tell of numerous accounts where she would make up excuses to leave the house and get away from Gogol. These actions indirectly characterize her as selfish and inconsiderate. I believe that Moushumi put no effort towards the relationship and gave up on it from the start so naturally her marriage will not seem picture perfect or what she imagined. I understand that Gogol does not always display the qualities of a perfect husband so I feel sympathy for her at times, but overall Moushumi treats Gogol terribly and can only blame her own lack of commitment and effort for her unhappiness.
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