Chapter 1
How do Ashoke and Ashima meet?
Through their parents for an arranged marriage
Who was supposed to name Ashima and Ashoke's baby?
Ashima's grandmother
At the beginning of chapter 3, the Ganguli's move to a university town outside of Boston. Why doesn't Ashima like living there?
There are no sidewalks, no public transportation and no stores nearby. She has no interest in learning how to drive.
How do the Ganguli's celebrate Gogol's 14th birthday?
They have 2 parties, one American party with his friends from school, (pizza, ping pong and baseball)
One traditional Bengali celebration with Bengali food and people from the Bengali community.
What does Gogol do the summer of 1986, before going away to college?
He Decides to change his name to "Nikhil".
Where does the couple move to after they get married?
Cambridge, Massachussetts
Why are the people in the hospital putting so much pressure on Ashima and Ashoke?
They need a name for the birth certicate so they can release the baby.
What does Ashima find out in August when Gogol turns five?
Ashima discovers that she is pregnant again.
At the Bengali party, Gogol meets a girl his age who moved to Massachussetts from England. What is her name?
Moushumi
What is the name of the college that Gogol goes to?
Yale University, a private, Ivy league college
Who encouraged Ashoke's love of reading?
Ashoke's grandfather
What is a common theme that describes how Ashima feels about life in America ?
Loneliness
Why didn't Gogol want to go to Kindergarten?
His parents want to give him a new "official" name, but he doesn't want to change his name.
What does Ashoke give Gogol for his birthday?
The Short Stories of Nikolai Gogol.
How are Gogol and Nikhil different?
Gogol is the person that he used to be, a good Bengali boy, who studieds hard listens to his parents (Traditon)
Nikhil is the person that he wants to be, someone new. (He smokes, drinks goes to bars, meets girls). He kind of a bad boy. Nikhil is American.)
On his way to visit his grandfather in _____________, Ashoke was in a terrible ___________
Jamshedpur, train accident
What is the name of the traditional ceremony that Bengali's have for babies when they about 6 months old that is focused around food?
Annaprasan, or rice ceremony
What is the "official" name that Ashoke wants to give to Gogol and what does it mean in Bengali?
Ashoke wants name Gogol, Nikhil. It means "he who is entire, encompassing all."
When Gogol is in 10th grade, the family goes to India for 8 months. What is a theme that would describe the experience of Ashoke and Ashima compared to their children?
Assimmilation/ Cultural clashes
Tradition/ Cultural Heritage
Identity
In the fall of his 10 grade year, Gogol/ Nikhil is on his way home for Thanksgiving break. He meets a girl on the train. What is her name and why is she important?
-Her name is Ruth.
-She goes to his school.
-She becomes his first girlfriend.
On the train, Ashoke was reading _____________, by _______________.
The Overcoat
At the end of chapter 2, Ashima and Ashoke are planning a trip to Calcutta for winter break in December, but a call in the middle of night forces them to leave six weeks earlier. What happened?
Ashima's father died
What is Ashokes job at the University?
He is an assistant professor of electrical engineering
At the end of chapter 4 during Gogol's senoir year in high school, his family goes away to Connecticut for the weekend, leaving Gogol at home alone. What happens that night?
-He goes to a party at the university where his dad teaches.
- He meets a girl and tells her his name is Nikhil.
-He has his first kiss.
The Thanksgiving of his senior year, Gogol takes the train home to Boston for the fall break. His mother and sister are in India, so it will be just him and his dad. Why is this part of the story important?
- There is a medical emergency that delays the train.(A suicide)
-Ashoke is waiting for Gogol/ Nikhil and he is worried. (Flashback)
-Ashoke finally reveals the story behind Gogol's name