1) The speaker of the extract is the narrator and characters involved are Ashima

and Ashoke. In the extract Ashima and Ashoke’s feelings about living in
Cambridge is explained and the difference of the feelings and thoughts
underlined. Ashima’s feelings and thoughts had many effects on the following
events. Because she is distant to American culture and people she also
affected his son’s relationships as she did by disliking Gogol’s girlfriend
Maxine. By character’s feelings and thoughts on living in cambridge the theme
Indian immigrant experience is portrayed in the extract

2) The speaker of the extract is the narrator and Ashoke. Characters involved
are Gogol, Ashima and Ashoke. In the extract the scene where the family is
moving to a new house is being illustrated. In this scene Ashima’s disturbance
of using furniture and clothes which are used by a different person is being
told. On the other hand Ashoke says in contrast to their culture this is a
common thing in the U.S. and there is nothing to be disturbed and ashamed
of. This is one of the many examples of cultural clash between Indian and
American culture which is portrayed in the novel. Also by this cultural clash
the themes tradition and Indian immigrant experience is being portrayed.

3) The speaker of the extract is the narrator and the characters involved are
Gogol and Ashoke. In the extract the scene where Ashoke gives Gogol a
birthday present for the first time which is a book by the author Nicolai Gogol
is being described. It is the first time that Gogol receives a book of his
namesake Nicolai Gogol. Because Gogol’s name is one of the main conflicts
in the book, this scene where he receives a book of his namesake has
significant effects in the following chapters. The themes family and naming is
being portrayed in this extract by Ashoke giving his son a present for the first
time and the present being a book from Gogol’s namesake.

4) The speaker of the extract is the narrator as usual, alongside Sonia and
Gogol being the characters involved. In the extract Gogol’s little sister’s name
is being described. It is said that her name slowly transformed into Sonia
which is an international name. Sonia’s name being international and Gogol’s
name being different and unusual creates the main conflict of the book which
is Gogol’s displeasure of his name. By the explanation of Sonia’s name the
theme naming and identity is outlined in the extract
5) The speaker of the extract is the narrator and the characters involved are
Gogol, his parents and Gogol’s friends. In the extract Gogol’s relationship with
girls (especially his crushes) and his friends is described. Also his parent’s
thoughts on Gogol’s social relationships is outlined in the extract. Because
Gogol suffers silent crushes and doesn’t go on dates with girls he blames his
name and wants to change his name in the following chapters. This also
affects the plotline of the novel . By the social relationships of Gogol the
themes independence, rebellion, and growing up are outlined in the extract.