Cultural clash described in The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri

ABSTRACT

The Namesake is one of Jhumpa Lahiri’s novels. It was created to share her experiences as an immigrant. She described the cultural clash between Indian parent and their Indian American son. Cultural clash between Indian and American culture can be taken for example for the readers of the novel. This novel is not only about the cultural differences, but also contains about struggle of integration of their origin values

In this study, the researcher uses structuralism approach to develop in analyzing the novel especially social setting. The cultural phenomena found in social setting. The researcher uses the theory of Koentjaraningrat related to elements and forms of culture. It is related to how the cultural clash described in the novel.

The researcher formulates the three problems of the study. They are about, Indian immigrant’s culture described in the novel, American culture described in the novel and the cultural clash. From this research, there are three finding can be stated as the answer of the problems of the study.

First, Indian cultures found in the novel are Indian name, family and relationship values. Indian cultures are very much family oriented. Indians respect family values. Indians work for meeting the family needs. In Indian culture, there is respect for the elders and it is they who make decisions even for marriage. Indians may even forsake their individual wishes and also happiness for the sake of families.

Second, the American cultures found in the novel are American name, family value and relationship values. Americans are individual oriented. Americans are more committed to themselves only. In American culture, each individual makes his own decisions and their privacy a lot. They are dynamic and independent.

Thirdly, the cultural clashes found in the novel are about tradition, custom, family value, social value and how they adapt with new culture. It makes the intimacy of their family come into dilemmas and clashes.

Finally, I expect this research will be able to help the next researcher who conducts the research in the same field. It is suggested to further researchers to be able to investigate other objects. Hence he or she can contribute new findings about other aspects that exist in the novel for the sake of enriching literary study.