Across the world, people struggle with a sense of self-individualization, which is the internal battle each person faces to discover their true identity. The quest to find oneself is a difficult and long undertaking that can take a lifetime to complete. Some, if not most people, never reach the point where they can truly face who they truly are. In Lahiri's novel The Namesake, identity is illustrated by intensely examining the importance of one's background, name, and culture. The main characters in the story try to discover the reasoning behind their lineage, which they believe will lead to discovering the answer to destiny in life. Playing on this belief, the Ganguli keep the element of traditions and practices with them as they migrate to the United States. The decisions made by the family ultimately lead to a situation in which the child has difficulty integrating into society, with the result that he is unable to grasp his own identity. “He hates his name. . . this has nothing to do with who he is, which is neither Indian nor American but of all things Russian” (Lahiri 76). His self-hatred based on something as uncontrollable as his name hinders his search for identity. The Namesake is populated by characters who show signs of being lost when it comes to purpose and destiny. Many characters struggle because most of them feel the pull of different cultures, dreams, and traditions. At the beginning of chapter 1 the theme of identity and one's name is introduced. The names of Gogol's parents: Ashima (“she who is limitless, without boundaries”) and Ashoke (“he who transcends pain”) were carefully chosen according to Hindi customs. Their names guide their lives in a...... middle of paper ...... the union they have will be accepted and will make both their Bengali parents happy. As a couple they are shocked to notice together and as individuals that their parents liked them, but never thought they would do it this way. They find that it is very surprising and at the same time comforting for them. (Moushumi in more detail, about her past) Each character must choose whether or not to integrate into American society. The choice leads them to consider how much they would have to compromise and whether making certain concessions would betray the roots from which they come. The characters struggle with these questions regarding their affiliations with their names, their relationships, and their choices about the present and future. By embracing the positive sides of both his names Gogol finally embraces the two opposite sides of himself.