Name: ______________________________________________________________________
The Namesake: Jhumpa Lahiri
Mini-syllabus College English
Frazier-Booth 2012
This mini-syllabus has the essay assignments for The Namesake by
Jhumpa Lahiri and the nightly reading assignments.
YOU ARE EXPECTED TO READ EVERY NIGHT!
The way I will check your reading is through reading checks and journal responses. Reading
checks consist of 5 or more questions about the previous night(s) reading. They are detail
oriented, but are usually details you should know—i.e.: What is the setting? What new
character is introduced? Describe Ashima and Ashoke using at least two adjectives and/or one
specific detail from the text. There is also a bonus question about a very specific detail, for
example: What is the topic of Gogol’s senior thesis project?
In addition to reading checks, you are expected to maintain a journal that will be checked at
least twice. I will be looking specifically for entries about the characters, reader questions and
vocabulary. You may use a Reciprocal Teaching format, or a format that you develop. I will
collect journals periodically to give you credit for this work. Occasionally you will be given
assignments where you may use your journal, but not your text to help you answer a question
or maybe a reading check. The more complete your journal is, the better support you will have
on these assignments. You will also answer questions in your journal as part of your daily “Do
Now” and/or homework to help you connect with the characters.
ESSAY
I am giving you your essay assignment now so that you can get into the habit of marking
passages and quotes. You should use your pack of small post-it notes to help you remember
pages where important events happen. You final essay will require in-text citations.
The essay is due Friday November 9, 2012 by 2:45 if printed, 5PM if e-mailed. DO NOT LEAVE
ANY ESSAYS IN MY MAILBOX. Because grades close on this day, no late assignments will be
accepted.
Essays received early will receive a 5-point bonus. The Essay grade will be reflected on your
first quarter report card. It will be worth 100 points and will be part of your papers and
projects grade, which averaged with the Henrietta Lacks essay is 1/3rd of your total first quarter
grade.
Essay Questions:
Choose one of the following topics:
Writing Prompts - Choose 1 of the following:
1. Gogol and Moushumi seem perfect for each other. Both characters are somewhat successful
Indian- American hybrids with a common cultural and familial connection and similar life
experiences. In the end, however, this marriage does not work out. Analyze the relationship
between Gogol and Moushumi. Why did this near perfect match end poorly? What was missing
from their relationship?
2. Throughout the novel, Gogol has had a few different girlfriends/lovers. What was Gogol
looking for in each of these women? What attracted Gogol to them? Analyze all 3 of Gogol’s
relationships. Consider tracking the evolution of Gogol’s ideals and attraction. Why was each
woman right for Gogol at the time, and why didn’t these relationships last?
3. Why is the novel called The Namesake? What is the value of names? Why are names so
important? Analyze the role of names in the text and complete a deep analysis of the names
from the novel. Research Indian naming traditions in more detail.
4. Write about the influence of architecture and art on Gogol’s life. What inspires his career
choices? Make sure to do some research on the Taj Mahal and analyze its influence on Gogol.
Why would it have such a profound impact on him?
5. Gogol says, “in these moments [with Moushumi], these glimpses, he believes he has known
no greater intimacy” (211). Investigate intimacy in The Namesake. Throughout the novel,
intimacy can be found in both physical and nonphysical ways. Must intimacy be sexual? How is
intimacy expressed differently across cultures? How might naming be considered an intimate
experience?
6. A common event throughout The Namesake is parties. Parties occur for many reasons and
with many different groups of people. Analyze the social, cultural, and familial roles of parties in
the novel. How are the parties Gogol attends different at various points throughout his life?
How does this relate to his character and identity?
A sophisticated essay should include quotes and MLA documentation (which we will review in
class). Your paragraph should be at least five paragraphs in length, but may be longer in order
to thoroughly respond to the question. Use quotes that are properly formatted as well as
internal citation. Your essay MUST be typed, and double-spaced. Use Times, Times Roman,
Geneva, Helvetica or Palatino fonts, 12 point. Your margins may not be more than 1.25 inches
on either side, and one inch top and bottom.
The Namesake
Reading Assignments: Reading is due ON the date it is listed next to. By 11th grade you should
be able to easily read 20 pages a night. The pacing is slightly less than this goal with occasional
breaks where you can catch up. Reading checks will be based on the reading schedule below.
The reading checks will never go beyond the assigned reading allowing you to adjust your
reading schedule as needed. The reading schedule is designed to help you establish a reading
pace and meets minimum proficiency standards.
Date DUE:
October 3
October 4
October 5
October 9
October 10
October 11
October 12
October 15
October 16
October 17
October 18
October 19
October 22
October 23
October 24
October 25
October 26
October 29
October 30
October 31
November 1
November 2
Assignment
Chapters 1 {Reading Check #1}
Chapter 2 (To the break at the top of page 38)
Chapter 2 {Reading Check #2}
Chapter 3
Chapter 4 {Reading Check #3}
*Chapter 4 Journal Entry question (homework).
Collect and Grade 5 journals (5 extra credit points)
Chapter 5 (To the break on page 116)
Collect and Grade 5 journals
Chapter 5 {Reading Check #4}
Collect and Grade remaining journals
(late journals lose 10 points)
Chapters 6
Chapter 6 {Reading Check #5}
Chapter 7 (To the break at the end of page 169)
(No Class PSAT)
Chapter 7 {Reading Check #6}
Chapter 8 (To the break)
Chapter 8 {Reading Check #7}
Chapter 9 (To the break)
Chapter 9 {Reading Check #8}
Collect and Grade 5 journals (5 extra credit points)
Chapter 10
Collect and Grade 5 journals
Chapter 11
Collect and Grade remaining journals
(late journals lose 10 points)
Chapter 12
Namesake final Test
Essay draft due (Peer feedback)
Content and completion grade only.
Pages
1-21
22-38
38-47
48-71
72-96
97-116
116-124
125-139
140-158
159-169
169-187
188-207
207-218
219-230
230-245
246-267
268-273
274-291
November 7
November 9
Namesake Final Essay Due
First term grades close. No late work, no make up taken.
Journal Entries will be graded based on the following rubric:
To receive
a(n):
A
AB+
BC
(50 points)
(47 points)
(44 points)
(40 points)
(37 points)
Detailed RT Complete RT Meets the
Fails to meet Missing 2 or
Each week
entries
entries
requirements any one the
more of the
you must
and/or
and/or
to the left,
requirements requirements
have:
detailed
paragraphs but may be
listed to the
for an A.
paragraph
for each
missing one
left as
for each
chapter.
entry or
detailed
chapter + 6
May lack
fewer than 5
below.
or more
some detail, words for
challenging but there are each
words and
entries for chapter.
their
each
definitions.
chapter.
Include page
Includes a
number and minimum of
sentence
5 words +
where word
their
is found.
definitions.
Students who participate in the first journal collection will receive 5 extra credit points.
Students who participate in the second collection will receive 2 extra points. Students
can also receive extra credit for listing up to 5 “gems”. To receive credit for a gem, list any
lines that you find are especially beautiful, funny or memorable. List the page number,
copy the entire quote, then explain in a solid paragraph why you selected the line. Each
gem is worth 1 point.
Character List
Journal Check #1
Subsequent
Checks
A (10 points)
B (8 points)
C (7 points)
All characters listed
and described.
All characters updated
and/or additional
characters added.
Most characters
listed and described.
Most characters
updated and/or
additional characters
added
Some characters
listed and described.
Some characters
updated and/or
additional characters
added
Journal:
Model your journal entries after this format. Include a regularly updated list of characters,
Questions that you have as you read (especially discussion-worthy questions), and vocabulary.
Your questions can be formatted in any way you would like, but you should have a personal
response to them with updates if and when the answers are finally revealed. Consider
questions that predict outcomes (I wonder what will happen to…) as well as questions that look
at character behavior (Why doesn’t Gogol date in high school?).
You should ALWAYS have a list of vocabulary words that you learn as you read. Copy the word,
the page where you first saw it, the sentence in which is was used. Then write what you guess
the word means. Look up the dictionary definition that fits how the word is used in the text.
Make sure you include the part of speech for the form of the word as it used.
Sample journal pages:
Gogol Ganguli
The title character
The story starts with his birth at the
beginning of chapter 2
Chapter 1 is about the last two weeks
of his mother Ashima’s pregnancy and a
series of flashbacks about her life in
Calcutta, India and his father’s life in
India that inspired him to more to
America.
Questions:
Why does Ghosh, a total stranger, offer
to help Ashoke?
Answer:
Guess—Maybe he sees a bit of himself in
Ashoke.
Actual Answer: Ghosh is the literary
device Lahiri uses to inspire Ashoke to
leave India, which sets the story in
motion.
Predict
Clarify
Ashima will be reborn
again in his son’s life,
because of how
significant his first “three”
births seem to be.
(pg.21)
Question
Why does Ashima feel
so grateful to the
Russian writer Gogol?
Why would Ghosh tell
Ashima to “Pack a pillow
and a blanket?”
Chapter 1 tells of the
weeks and hours before
the baby’s birth, and a
horrendous train
accident that his father
survived years earlier.
Summarize
Vocabulary:
sartorial: page 17. "Immersed in the sartorial
plight of Akaky Akakyevich, lost in the wide,
snow-white, windy avenues of St.
Petersburg…”
I think sartorial is a harsh and negative, bad.
Dictionary: sartorial adj. of or relating to a
tailor or tailored clothes.
My own sentence: My sartorial taste served
me well when I interviewed with Donna
Karan.