An Unexpected End and Unexpected Friend

The death of Ashoke was very surprising to me, but even more surprising was the way that Gogol responded to it. Ashoke's death begins with stomach pains that seem like they would call for a visit to the local walk in rather than the hospital. I believe that Lahiri made the illness a sudden heart attack purposely so that Gogol could not go see him in time. Even if he could go back, I do not know if Gogol would have. He loved his father, but he may have played it off. When his sister, Sonia, finally told him that his father died, he aborted all else and made the trip to have his father buried. One of the defining moments of Gogol's final break from his Bengali culture is that he did not shave his head in deference to his father. 

However much Gogol wants to leave his Bengali culture behind, it always comes back to him again in one form or another. This time, Moushumi was the one to deliver it. Gogol realizes that this is just another Bengali girl, but he is interested after a date or two. The amazing part is, because he has blocked out his culture and the parties that came with it, he did not even realize that Moushumi was the girl in the corner who only read. Looking back with his new "refined" tastes, this quiet, studious girl might have been more attractive to him. His hatred for all of the partying and yelling with food in one's mouth is not present with Moushumi. I cannot wait to see how Gogol deflects his Bengali culture after chapter eight.

Big changes for Nikhil

The Namesake has changed greatly from chapter one to where I am now, at the end of chapter six. Nikhil has changed greatly as a character as well. In his time at Yale and Columbia, he began to move even further from his parents. He decided to mostly avoid The Bengali culture that he grew up with. He hated the large dinner parties with huge families and annoying kids. Most of all, he hated how his mom made obscene amounts of food for the whole party and never catered to her guests. He is disgusted that his mom eats with her mouth open most of the time. 

Aside from disliking the Bengali culture, he in fact loved the American culture and the mixtures of European heritage and influence. He enjoys the diverse architecture that he sees in New York City and other cities outside of Boston. He might like these different designs solely because of his parent's hatred for them. Many of his decisions are for the same reason, for example him changing his name instead of leaving it as Gogol. Also the complete Americanization of his whole life, for instance his English accent and when his parents speak to him in Bengali, "he waves and drives off, pretending not to hear" (150). Even his girlfriend, Maxine, cannot believe that he is related to his parents. The interesting thing is that he is happy with that, and he is glad to be disconnected from his parents. 

Throughout chapter six, Nikhil seems to be doing pretty well. He has a girlfriend that he loves and her parents seem pretty awesome. He has been at a lake house and has had one of the best times of his life. He loves the lifestyle that the Ratliffs live, but he is harshly reminded of what awaits him at home when he encounters one of the Ratliffs neighbors who tries to ask "at what age he moved from America to India" (157). She even believes that "the climate wouldn't effect [him], given [his] heritage" (157). He is offended by her upfront nature, but keeps his cool and escapes her sharp questions. Nikhil has endured a lot of pressure, but it seems so far that he is being repaid with a new pseudo-adopted family and separation from his parents.

Tip #1: Edit, edit, edit, and edit again!

In "Digging", Seamus Heaney creates a speaker through characterization who first thinks he doesn't measure up, but then realizes his potential. At first, Heaney shows that the speaker, a writer, values the hard work ethic and skill that his father and grandfather have. The speaker then becomes unsure that his abilities as a writer will measure up to the legacy his father and grandfather have left behind. Ultimately Heaney empowers the speaker with a spark of self-confidence, as he begins to believe in the power of his pen. Heaney characterizes the speaker as unsure and timid, and finally courageous throughout the poem as an example of how we should believe in our abilities as we reach for individuality.

In "Digging", Seamus Heaney creates a speaker through characterization who first thinks he doesn't measure up, but then realizes his potential to become a writer. At first, Heaney demonstrates that the speaker, a writer, values the hard work ethic and skill of his father and grandfather. Later, the speaker becomes unsure that his abilities as a writer will satisfy his family’s legacy. Ultimately Heaney empowers the speaker with a spark of self-confidence, as he begins to believe in the power of his pen. Heaney characterizes the speaker as unsure and timid, and finally courageous throughout the poem to show how the character strives to separate himself from the rest.

"Digging" Characterization Analysis Essay

Heaney’s Characterization of the Speaker in “Digging”

            In "Digging", Seamus Heaney creates a speaker through characterization who first thinks he doesn't measure up, but then realizes his potential. Immediately, Heaney shows that the speaker, a writer, values the hard work ethic and skill that his father and grandfather have. The speaker becomes unsure that his abilities as a writer will measure up to the legacy his father and grandfather have left behind. Ultimately Heaney empowers the speaker with a spark of self-confidence, and begins to believe in the power of his pen. Heaney characterizes the speaker as unsure and timid, and finally courageous  throughout the poem as an example of how we should believe in our abilities as we reach for individuality.

            In the beginning of the poem, the speaker has respect and deference for hard work. Toward the beginning of the poem, the speaker admits, “the old man could handle a spade” (Heaney 15). The father is a potato farmer who provided for and raised his child by hard work and diligence. Here, the speaker shows his adoration for the skill and mastery that his father has. The respect that he has had for his father all his life has led to intimidation and a feeling of adherence to his family. The speaker reveals his concern for bringing the end to a valuable legacy when he shares that “[his] grandfather cut more turf in a day / Than any other man on Toner’s bog” (Heaney 17-18). His grandfather cuts turf; needless to say, a less than glamorous job, to support the family. The speaker realizes that his role in supporting his own family is arriving slowly, and tries to decide what kind of legacy he wants to leave. The pressure to decide his path escalates, but the pressure has only been applied at his own hand. The speaker admires his father and grandfather, which is making the decision to write, instead of become a potato farmer, feel more and more dissident as the poem moves forward.

            Throughout the poem, the speaker doubts that his writing measures up to the diligent drudgery of his father and grandfather. Once, when the speaker was a young boy, he “carried [his grandfather] milk in a bottle / corked sloppily with paper” (Heaney 19-20). This would not be so important usually, however it is the only memory he recalls from his childhood, so it can be assumed it is important in understanding the character. The speaker still feels that he can only do a simple, childish task in comparison to the neat and organized demeanor of his grandfather. Later in the poem, the speaker believes in the power of his pen, “but [he has] no spade to follow men like them” (Heaney 28).  The speaker realizes, with a sense of regret, that his character and passions do not point to him following the legacy left by his father and grandfather. The speaker has become afraid of what his family will make of him straying from the job that is so closely tied to his family. The speaker wants to take his life in a different direction, but throughout the poem, his connection to his family have brought doubts.

            At the end of the poem, Heaney turns the speaker’s view and gives him a sudden spur of self-confidence. Heaney gives the speaker this boost when he begins the last stanza, “Between my finger and my thumb / The squat pen rests” (Heaney 29-30). Although almost an exact copy of the first two lines, Heaney leaves out, “snug as a gun” (Heaney 2). In the last stanza, the speaker has had a shift in the way that he views his situation. He is no longer defensive, he has realized that if he is meant to be a writer, his pen does not need to be a weapon, but a tool to escape. In the last line of the poem, “I’ll dig with it” (Heaney 31) stands alone, the last sentence of the poem, in which the speaker convinces himself that although he will head in his own direction, he is still digging. The speaker has gained confidence, and began to realize his abilities. The speaker has become independent in his method, but not in his roots. The speaker identifies himself as a writer, yet he keeps in mind the work ethic and determination of his father and grandfather.

            Heaney uses characterization to show the speaker’s struggle to reach his own individuality, when he already feels so engaged in his family’s work. Heaney characterized the speaker through instances with his father and grandfather, which lead to an internal struggle as the speaker comes of age.  The speaker plays out a role that most of us face at a time in our lives. To have to make a decision between the ones who have loved you for so long and what you are passionate about may be the most difficult decision of all.