"The Namesake"
What happens throughout the eleven-day mourning period after Ashoke's death? How do friends express their sympathy? What kind of diet do Ashima, Gogol, and Sonia follow? What happens on the eleventh day itself?
Discuss Nikhil's (Gogol's) relationship with Maxine. To consider: What are her parents, Gerald and Lydia like? How does Nikhil think they are different from his own parents? How does his relationship with Maxine transform his life? What is Maxine's visit with Nikhil's parents like? What impact/significance does his relationship with Maxine have on his identity?
For this question, discuss one aspect of culture (marriage, religion, food, music, etc.) that you learned about in The Namesake.