The Namesake Love Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #7

He had not expected to enjoy himself, to be attracted to her in the least. It strikes him that there is no term for what they once were to each other. (8.76)

Gogol unexpectedly enjoys his first date with Moushumi, which breaks the pattern of all of his previous relationships with non-Indian women. Maybe there's something to be said for dating someone who understands his background.

Quote #8

"Don't get me wrong, Graham's a great guy. But they were too alike somehow, too intense together." (9.85)

Uh oh. Shmoop smells serious trouble, and our heart goes out to Gogol here. Who wants to hear that his wife was more "intense" with another man?

Quote #9

This assurance is important to her; along with the Sanskrit vows she'd repeated at her wedding, she'd privately vowed that she'd never grow fully dependent on her husband, as her mother has. (10.2)

Moushumi does not want to repeat what she views as her mother's mistake. But this vow sets her up for failure later, when she begins to push Gogol away.