In chapters 5 I realized that Gogol was finally relieved that he was able to change his name before going off to college. I’m surprised that Gogol’s parents supported his decision to change his name because it had a significant meaning to his father. His father named him Gogol because he survived an accident in India and he had Nikolai Gogol’s literature in his hand and he felt like it was significant for him. But Gogol does not really care about that. In college he started introducing himself as Nikhil. He felt more comfortable and confident when people called him by that name. But I believe that it’s a valid reason for him to change his name because if he feels more like himself with the name Nikhil there is no point of keeping a name he is ashamed of. Even though it upsets his parents that he changed the name they gave him, it’s up to him and whatever makes him feel better about himself.
In chapter 6 Gogol compare Maxine’s family with his family a lot. Both families are very different with very different backgrounds. Gogol likes being with Maxine’s family. He enjoys their company a lot because his family isn’t really like that. I feel like Gogol was being selfish because he started ignoring his family just because he enjoyed Maxine’s family more. During the end of the chapter Gogol ignores his mom’s call because he wanted to be with Maxine. He ignored her call knowing that she is all alone in their house in Massachusetts. He knew that his mother needed him the most at the moment but still chose to ignore her. Ashima had never been alone and I feel like that was making her anxious and Gogol should have been there for her at the moment.