In "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri, Gogol Ganguli struggles with his identity and the significance of names. His experience highlights the complex relationship individuals have with their names and cultural backgrounds. Gogol's journey reveals how deeply a name can influence one's sense of self and belonging.

The quote illustrates a pivotal moment in Gogol's life, where he is profoundly affected by someone else's name rather than his own. This shift signifies a deeper understanding of identity and external perceptions, emphasizing how interconnected and impacted people can be by cultural associations and personal connections to names.