Paper Details

This research article provides a deep insight into the symbolic and metaphorical usage of trains and train journeys by Jhumpa Lahiri in her novel The Namesake. In this novel, almost all the major characters travel in trains and these train journeys form an important part of their life. These journeys either in themselves become a life changing event or become a cause of some life changing event in the characters’ lives. Ashoke takes a life changing decision to migrate to America only after his train journey to Jamshedpur and the accident of the train that follows. Ashima finds her first association to America after she recovers her belongings that she forgets on a train. All the important incidents of Gogol’s life happen either in trains or after a train journey – he meets Ruth in a train, his father tells him about his own train accident and the real reason for naming him Gogol only after a train journey, and he discovers his wife Moushumi’s affair in a train journey from New York to Pemberton.

Train, Journey, Discovery, Connection, Self-discovery, Mystery