Characters
Where is Ashima from?
Calcutta, India
What U.S. city do they live in? /
Boston
What reminds Ashima of home most? /
Familiar food
What emotion is strongest early on?
Homesickness
What happens at end of Chapter 1? /
Baby is born
Who is Ashima’s husband? /
Ashoke
How does Ashima feel in her new environment? /
Nervous and lonely
Why is she nervous about childbirth? /
No family traditions near her
What increases anxiety at hospital?
/ Unfamiliar routines and strangers
What story connects Ashoke to Gogol? /
Train accident
Who is more excited about America? /
Ashoke
One reason the hospital feels unfamiliar?
/ Different procedures, language, food
What traditions does she want to maintain?
/ Bengali rituals and naming customs
How does she cope with discomfort?
/ Keeps cultural practices
hat does the name represent? /
Past and cultural identity
What major event is Ashima preparing for? /
Giving birth
What type of weather increases discomfort?
/ Cold snow
Why is naming hard in America? /
Paperwork deadlines / cultural rules
What internal struggle is shown? /
Balancing India vs. America identity
One way Ashima keeps culture alive? /
Traditional food and memory
What name does Ashoke choose for the baby? /
Gogol
Why is setting important? /
It creates culture shock and conflict
How does culture shape Ashima?
/ Keeps her connected to heritage
Why both excitement and fear? /
New baby + fear of change
What major theme begins with naming? /
Identity struggle