My Views on Chapter 5-7!
I have to admit part two of the novel was much more interesting than the first because it was much more scandalous and juicy! Honestly, Ashoke's death was the highlight of the novel, I've never cried this much while reading a book. Ashoke's death hit me like a tsunami, it was so upsetting, unnecessary, and unwanted.
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| (Accurately describes my feelings when Ashoke died. Source: GIPHY) |
Before I start bawling my eyes out again, let’s move on. One of the things I found hysterically relatable was the fact that Nikhil knows that his parents don't appreciate, if he studies something in arts “like the rest of their Bengali friends, his parents expect him to be, if not an engineer, then a doctor, a lawyer, an economist at the very least” (Lahiri 105). This outlook still exists among many South Asian parents. Fortunately, my parents are very accepting of my decision, however, my mom still wants me to not pursue hospitality and tourism in the future. Since, I decided to pursue food and nutrition in grade 9, my mom was against it. She constantly tried to divert my mind towards science, or math, but I never had interest in science. By grade 11 I decided to pursue SHSM in Hospitality and Tourism, and took co-op at Cafe Deluxe, which gave my mom no option but to accept my decision.
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| (Every south Asian parent. Source: Quickmeme) |
Furthermore, another one of South Asian parents problems is with dinners. When Nikhil visits Maxine’s house for the first time, he notices how few dishes are served on the dinner table. “[h]is own mother would never have served so few dishes to a guest. She would have kept her eyes trained on Maxine’s plate, insisting she have seconds and then thirds” (Lahiri 133). Usually, when a guest is about to arrive Indian moms make 10 different types of dishes, with 2 or 3 desserts. They would keep their eyes on the guest's plate, and as they are about to finish their dinner, Indian parents would start forcing them to eat more food. I’m not kidding, after every party I attend, I have to skip my next meal because you are so stuffed from the food at the party. I don't understand what it is, but Indian people gain a sense of satisfaction by feeding their guests full. About 2 years ago, when my family and I visited Toronto, we stayed over at our family friends house. During dinner time, I was about to finish the food in my plate, but then the mom decided to add some more rice in my dish. Even though I said no a couple of times, she didn't listen so I (regretfully) yelled at her for forcing me. I'm still embarrassed, to this day, but I personally dislike wasting food so it was a big deal for me. Oh well, it's not like I see her everyday. Personally, I would never force feed someone, but I feel it's just in the values my parents have been brought up with. In India, guests are treated like God, which explains why they make so many dishes.
Although, many people do not enjoy The Namesake, I personally am in love with the book. I can relate to this book on many levels, and can feel for the Ganguli's struggle. Good job Mrs. Lahiri, you definitely have gained one fan for your novel.
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| (My exact reaction when I yelled at the lady. Source: GIPHY) |
Sincerely
Krisha
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Works Cited
"Indian Dad Memes | Quickmeme." Quickmeme. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Nov. 2015.
"No GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY." GIPHY. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Nov. 2015.
"Sad GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY." GIPHY. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Nov. 2015.
Lahiri, Jhumpa. The Namesake. New York: Mariner, 2004. Print.
Krisha! How's it going? This post was so much more enjoyable than the last! I love the fact that you decided to include some media in your post, I wonder what is was that inspired you to do that. Anyway, it really enhanced my reading experience (great memes)! As an Asian boy, I can also relate to the connections that you made with Gogol and his relationship with his family. Although my parents are completely supportive of my career path, there were some other areas in which I felt deprived of my freedom of choice when I was younger. When I was just a young boy, my parents really wanted me to be musically inclined. They made me practice the piano everyday even though I wasn't enjoying it. My mom eventually let me quit because I kept complaining that my fingers were hurting, but it doesn't stop there. They made me play a different instrument of my choice, which at the time, gave me a false sense of privilege (oh mom, you trickster). I chose the violin, and although I had enjoyed it at first, it eventually became a chore for me to practice every day for hours while all my non-Asian friends were enjoying their own personal childhood hobbies. My mom finally let me quit after my violin instructor told her that teaching me is like "talking to a wall".
ReplyDeleteI feel like you and I have gotten much closer from this little blogging activity. Before, I would've said that our relation to each other is comparable to the distance between the soil and a ripe lemon hanging at the top of a tree. Now, I think we are closer, like a man sitting on a couch, reaching for a bag of potato chips but not quite being able to grab it.
I am eager to read your next blog post
Freddie
Krisha, I 100% understand how you feel about South Asian parties! I cringe a bit when my Mom forces me to go to a Filipino dinner or party. Mostly because whenever she tells me that we are going to leave at 10pm, my parents end up socializing until 2am, leaving me to fall asleep on whoever’s couch. Along with that, there is a lot of food at these parties. There are so many options for what to eat, and there are crowds of people waiting to devour meals. I relate with Gogol when he states that the host does not usually eat until the guests plates are piled up at the sink. Whenever I am at these events, the host hovers over everyone making sure they fill their stomachs. Even then the host always pushes more food, seeing to it that you have tried everything. This is not a bad thing, and I actually find it cute and motherly when a host makes sures that you eat. But I feel as though the host should let loose a little bit, and enjoy the food for themselves instead of waiting on everyone. It is their party after all!
ReplyDeleteHi Kirsha
ReplyDeleteYour post was very interesting with the media I also didn't like the part were Ashock died it's a big turning point in the book were Gogol stops and thinks about what he has done to his parents. I would like to say that the Indian culture is very close to my culture "middle east" we love food, it becomes a big topic especially when people are coming over. You are also right about finishing your food they find it satisfying and that the food tastes good when its finished.
Great post krisha
I'm laughing so hard at these memes! I really enjoyed reading you're post Krisha! I can actually relate to a lot of what you are saying too, because having Arab parents is a very similar experience for me. I can definitely agree with you about Ashoke's death, I think it is honestly the saddest part in this section of the book because it is very difficult for anyone to loose a parent no matter who they are. I can relate to you on a personal level when you talk about how your parents tried to force you into a profession that you had no interest in because for a long time, my parents did the same. When I was younger I always told my parents that I wanted to help people and become a social worker. My parents always told me: "Nora that is not a real profession, it does not pay well!! become a doctor instead." My parents wanted me to take math, biology and chemistry to become a doctor but I absolutely despised math and though I did not mind science, I do not see myself doing a job that involves biology or chemistry, it just does not seem like my kind of thing to do. Eventually my parents gave in and realized that the only way I can be happy in my life is to do the profession I want and study what I like which is Social Sciences or Phycology. I also understand where you are coming from when you talk about the food with South Asian parents because my parents do the exact same. My mother always cooks way more food than needed when we are having a social gathering or a party. She also bakes way too many desserts and we are always stuck with the left overs for two weeks at times! When guests come over, even if it is just casually, my mother always has to offer them food no matter what and if they are staying over for dinner and they finish their plate, she will insist they have more even if they are full. I remember going to my white friends house, and things were completely different there. Her mom mad one dish, served water only and did not ask if I wanted to have seconds, as opposed to my who asks if a guest at our house would want thirds or even fourths. It is pretty clear that every culture is different than the other and nothing is the same wherever you go especially the concept of serving food. Some people always think that they are not serving enough and some people think they are serving more than enough, it depends on the culture really. Thank you so much for posting this Krisha, well done, I really enjoyed reading you post!
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