Guess the book scenes
(What's happening?)
(What's happening?)
"Starting tomorrow, he realizes with a shock, he and Moushumi will be regarded as a family of their own."
HINT: Chapter 9....shhhhh
this is a reference to Gogol's and Moushumi's Marriage! They have a traditional Bengali wedding and the quote symbolizes a new beginning (ex: "family of their own")
Gogol! He had the conflict of the name Nikhil because of the societal norms of having an "American" name in a new environment.
"To me and your mother, you will never be anyone but Gogol"
Ashoke!
Ashima and Ashoke
Arranged Marriage. They were both set together by their parents which in their case was normal and not new.
Gogol's name!
HINT: immigrants from another country....
Something that immigrants can face is names which Gogol had experienced. They wanted to choose a meaningful name for Gogol but to avoid later conflict, had given him a temporary name which led to later conflict with identity.
""Hello?"
It's his voice. "Hi. Dimitri?"
"Speaking. Who's this?"
She pauses. She can still hang up if she wants. "It's Mouse.""
HINT: sigh...
The start of an affair. A very obvious strain in Gogol's and Moushumi's relationship. This shows how far Gogol's and Moushumi's relationship had grown.
Ashoke. Part of his past is a train crash that changed his perspective on life and it heavily mentioned in the book.
"Take some pictures tonight, please? I want to remember this Christmas. Next year at this time I'll be so far away."
Ashima!
Meeting parents you might bring a....
Gift giving. Gift-giving is a very common thing especially when meeting a significant other's parents. It shows respect and a thank you to inviting them and welcoming them.
fitting in in new places
when Ashima and Ashoke move to the suburbs with their new children. Ashima feels uncomfortable about the new environment change.
"She remembers Gogol and Sonia helping her when they were small, Gogol's hand wrapped around the can of crumbs, Sonia always wanting to eat the croquettes before they'd been breaded and fried."
HINT: The...end?
Ashima's final party before she plans to move back to Calcutta. This symbolizes a connection with her home and origin. It also symbolizes the start of a new beginning. (Even the transition from her and Ashoke being the main character to Gogol is a shift too!)
From a wealthy American family and is adventurous.
Maxine! She is one of the main highlights of cultural experience. Gogol and her dated and as their relationship went on, he noticed many differences in how they grew up and what they saw as "normal".
"Who's Dimitri?"
Gogol!
Rice Ceremony
Bengali Rice ceremony. A ceremony that indicates a child's transition to solid foods. It also includes a game where the child picks out a random item in front of them that symbolizes their future/personality.
Ashoke's passing
HINT: grief...
There is a similarity and difference here. Ashoke's passing led to a mourning ritual which is a cultural aspect whilst the mourning and grief also show a similarity in how people in general can react to a passing.
"Don't get me wrong, Graham's a great guy. But they were too alike somehow, too intense together."
HINT: foreshadows something
This foreshadows marriage problems. Graham is Moushumi's ex which brings tension to the conversation. this foreshadows another kind of tension, a growing apart one, that happens in the later chapters.
Had a Bengali wedding and a significant character nearing the end of the book.
Moushumi! Gogol and her had a Bengali wedding which highlights him finding someone culturally alike after facing hardships on cultural norms growing up. However, this relationship took a drastic turn after their distant growth.
"My husband and I have a dinner to go to next Thursday."
Moushumi!
It lasts at least a week
Marriage ceremonies. Indian marriage ceremonies last up to days. It includes art, music, and blessings to welcome and accept the new married couple.
Maxine
Gogol and Maxine had been raised in different cultural households. This led to a light tension that Gogol had where he saw/experienced things that were new to him.
"Though she knows it's not his fault, she can't help but associate him, at times, with a sense of resignation, with the very life she has resisted."
HINT: a very obvious tension
The symbolization of Moushumi's relationship with Gogol. She talks about how she is grateful for Gogol since he married her but associates him an uncomfortable feeling that she never saw herself in.
Gogol's first girlfriend
Ruth! A small but significant part of the story and showcases Gogol's growth in life since we go from his birth to his marriage.
"You can thank them next time."
Maxine!
Mourning ceremony
After Ashoke's death, they did a mourning ceremony which includes fasting, washing, and having support from loved ones.
THE ENDING.
Ashima moves back to Calcutta. This shows the deep roots of culture and her hometown. Many who move from different countries can experience missing their hometown and where they grew up. Ashima moving back to Calcutta shows this.