Here are the key minor characters from The Namesake and how they influenced Gogol's characterization and journey:
- Kim: Gogol's American girlfriend in college who represents his desire to assimilate into American culture. Dating her signals his rejection of his Bengali heritage.
- Ruth: Gogol's professor and lover who encourages his intellectual growth but also represents another step away from his roots.
- Maxine: Gogol's wife who is fully Americanized. Marrying her is the final step in Gogol rejecting his Indian identity and severing ties to his culture and family.
These minor characters helped shape Gogol's arc away from his Bengali background as he sought