Across the world, people struggle with a sense of individualization, which is the internal battle each person faces to discover their true identity. The search for oneself is a long and difficult undertaking that can take a lifetime. Some people, if not most, never reach the point where they can truly face who they really are. In Lahiri's novel The Namesake, identity is illustrated by intensely examining the importance of one's origins, name, and culture. The main characters of the story attempt to uncover the reasoning behind their lineage, which they believe will lead them to discover the answer to destiny in life. Playing on this belief, the Ganguli carry with them the element of traditions and practices during their migration to the United States. The decisions made by the family ultimately lead to a situation in which their son struggles to integrate into society, making it difficult for him to grasp his own identity. “He hates his name. . . it has nothing to do with who he is, that he is neither Indian nor American but above all Russian” (Lahiri 76). His self-loathing based on something as uncontrollable as his name hinders his search for identity. The namesake is populated by characters who show signs of losing themselves 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 name is introduced. The names of Gogol's parents: Ashima ("she who is limitless, without boundaries") and Ashoke ("she who transcends sorrow") were carefully chosen according to Hindi customs. Their names rule their lives middle of paper...... the relationship they have will be accepted and will make both their Bengali parents happy. As a couple, they are shocked to find together and as individuals that they have pleased their parents, but they never thought they would do it in this exact way. They discover that it is both very surprising and comforting for them. (Moushumi more details, on his journey) Each character is faced with the choice of whether or not to integrate into American society. This choice makes them wonder how far they should compromise and whether making certain concessions would betray their roots from which they came. The characters struggle with these questions regarding their affiliations with their names, their relationships, and their choices regarding the present and future. By embracing the positive sides of both his names, Gogol finally embraces the two opposing sides of himself..