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Lahiri’s juxtaposition of Indian and American cultures plays a major part in the overall plot of her novel ‘The Namesake’, and it is this juxtaposition that makes Lahiri’s description of American culture stand out so much at this point in the story. The reader has already seen how relationships are treated in Indian culture, with the arranged marriage of Ashoke and Ashima being an example of this – public displays of affection between them are deemed inappropriate - and hence through Ashima’s eyes, it would seem ironic that although Americans are fond of outward displays of affection through their ‘hand-holding on the street’ and ‘lying on top of each other on the Cambridge Common’, they do prefer their own privacy, something in direct contrast to Indian culture, where community plays a major part in everyone’s lives, and the affairs of one person is generally the affairs of the entire family.

While Lahiri’s generalization of American culture might not be exactly true, the reader has to keep in mind that she is presenting it such a way as to highlight the many contrasts it presents to the Indian culture that the major characters in the play are familiar with. In this way, she also explores the culture shock that is evident in Ashima’s first interactions with American society, and the divide of cultures is something that is apparent throughout the rest of the novel, highlighting the themes of culture and personal identity as a whole.

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The extract simply reflects Ashima’s perspective on American culture, and hence may not be an accurate judgment. This bias might stem from the socially-conscious culture practiced in India, accompanied by the persistence of traditions & conservative ideals.  Since Ashima’s eyes are not accustomed to stringent clothing and “public declarations of affection”, she sums up American conventions through immediate, stark differences spotted between the two juxtaposed cultures. Her astonishment towards the privacy upheld by the American couple highlights a streak of similarity between American and Indian society, as it reflects the latter’s practice of private, familial interactions. Moreover, “the man’s voice: I love you sweetheart” acts as a revelation to Ashima, suggesting that beneath the extravagant American sociability lies a true emotional connect / kinship, which ironically, is void in her accustomed Indian pattern of life; her husband has now ‘stepped behind the curtain’.

Eventually, there is a balance between the presence & void of certain ideals in both societies. Hence, Lahiri abates the negativity previously cast towards foreign patterns, and introduces an inter-cultural connect to correspond the idea - that drastically varying customs eventually boil down to similar ideals; thus underscoring the theme of cultural identity.

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Ashima points out the irony in their actions as she lists their public displays of affection. Being raised in a society where such displays are considered taboo, it's not surprising that Ashima is confused. Americans are willing to show so much but if anyone ever calls them out on these actions, they are quick to put up walls in attempt to defend themselves.

American culture isn't only about these public displays, however from an outsider's point view, it may seem this way. This emphasises the cultural differences that lead to Ashima feeling alienated, evoking empathy from the readers. Even though it may seem that Americans have a very liberal lifestyle, they believe in the idea "each to their own." This means that they feel free to do whatever they please and don't feel the need to explain themselves or the need to judge or be judged.

Although this description may not be an accurate depiction of American culture, the media does portray it as such, focussing on American's public displays of affection. This further allows the readers to understand Ashima's thought process and the cultural shock she faces.

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The carefree lifestyle led by most Americans depicted in the clothes they wear and their relationships does portray their liberal culture, but only to a certain extent.

Lahiri, however, in her novel “The Namesake”, utilizing Ashima Ganguli as a medium to voice her opinions on American culture, curtails it to only their clothing and their preference to keep affairs between a husband and wife mostly private. This is in vast contradiction to the traditional Indian society, where Ashima was raised in. Affairs between a husband and wife would be discussed by almost every member in the family, as it was a custom for the bride to reside in the house of the groom after marriage. This represents the close-knit societies that mostly exist in India, and this is further understood when Ashima’s parents decide her partner for her, while in America, the choice would have been entirely hers.

As Ashima attempts to navigate through this foreign world in which she feels alienated, she longs for home. Everything about the country and its lifestyle, seems unfitting to her as she is laden with a complete set of different, uncommon norms.

Although this depiction of American culture is not holistic or even approximately accurate, it is essential to helping the reader understand the stark contrast between Indian and American cultures.

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In the eyes of Ashima, a Bengali woman whose life revolves around her extended family and community, the private nature of the lives of Americans is not only confounding, but also acts as a societal barrier into her assimilation into her new "home". Although not entirely accurate (no vast generalization usually is), Lahiri chooses to portray Americans in this almost one dimensional manner in order to emphasize upon the cultural differences between the Ganguli family and the Americans.

Ashima has been brought up in a society in which private lives are almost non-existential, and it is the right of family to assist and intervene in daily family matters due to the extremely close-knit nature of their relationships- something we learn when her parents initiate her arranged marriage, and again when we see the entirety of her extended family waiting at Dum Dum airport on her arrival. Therefore, when she realizes that some Americans prefer to keep to themselves once the superficial layer of sociability has been removed, a feeling of isolation is created in her mind. She does not feel connected to the American lifestyle due to a difference in morals and values.

Therefore, although not completely accurate, this portrayal of Americans is dramatically significant because depicts cultural differences, that in turn allows the reader to empathise with Ashima, who feels a sense of shock and isolation in this foreign society.

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The description may portray an accurate depiction of American culture but only to a certain extent. To those of different cultures, it could be said that all Americans  live in the way that is stated in the description. However, these details may not relate to every American or their norms and values. Lahiri chose to put this into words in order to show the perspective of those different from the American culture.

Other countries and different cultures see these acts as disgraceful and disrespectful. Hence, stereotypical opinions are created which lead to judging every American based on something which only few people may do.

In The Namesake, the main characters are of Indian roots and the story revolves around them and their tradition and culture. In The Namesake, Ashima is brought up in a society with morals and values completely different to those of Americans. This portrayal of Americans is dramatic significant because it depicts the many cultural differences shown in the two societies.  Lahiri chooses to portray the American culture as a way to show the cultural differences between them and Indians.

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American culture isn't solely focused on public displays of affection and lying on top of each other, though Lahiri chooses to write it that way because she wants to show the perspective of any foreigner who is new to the American soil.

However, these above-the-surface details don't determine the American culture, which is a combination of many other cultures and values. This means that the American culture is the modernised version of many different cultures, which allows people in the American society to easily adapt to its norms. Also, the Americans more liberal ways always seem to clash with any culture that come their way, like presented in 'The Namesake' but this clash only represents their independent way of life; how they don't hesitate to express themselves.

Moreover, Americans like any other people around the world have their morals and values as said at the end of the extract 'prefer their privacy' but it's in their personality, not their appearance, therefore not every book can be judged by its cover. But this is something foreigners don't hesitate to do, so they have a hard time accepting the norms of the American society like Ashima in 'The Namesake'.

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The description stated may depict an accurate depiction of the American culture as this is what we see on television, in movies and in the media virtually all the time. It could be said that all Americans live in this way, however, as with any culture and place, people’s behavior can’t be generalized by saying ‘many people do it, so everyone does it’. There would be many Americans who don’t go to the most extreme or may even disagree to the ‘norms’ of their culture.

People see these acts, "their public display of affection, wearing of miniskirts, their holding hands", especially in the subcontinent part of the world, as a disgrace or deviation from the ‘right and correct’ path, as the cultures in these countries may describe it. Because of this, the stereotypes above are created, enabling us to only imagine people, in this case, Americans with their over-expressive behavior.

In The Namesake, the story is placed revolving around Indian characters, tradition and culture. Hence, why this may be the reason of the impression made of Americans. It has been embedded into their mind through generations and has become part of Ashima and Ashoke Ganguli’s thinking.

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Americans, inspite of their public declarations of affection, inspite of their mini-skirts and bikinis, inspite of their hand-holding on the street and lying on top of each other on the Cambridge Common, prefer their privacy.

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Americans, inspite of their public declarations of affection, inspite of their mini-skirts and bikinis, inspite of their hand-holding on the street and lying on top of each other on the Cambridge Common, prefer their privacy.

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Do you consider this as an accurate depiction of American culture?