In Jhumpa Lahiri's "The Namesake," the protagonist is taken aback by the lack of basic infrastructure in her town. She notices the absence of sidewalks, which makes walking difficult and unsafe. The environment feels isolated with no streetlights to illuminate the way, and the scarcity of public transportation limits accessibility for residents.

Moreover, the distance to stores emphasizes the town's remoteness, making everyday necessities hard to reach. This stark reality highlights her feelings of dislocation and underscores the themes of loneliness and alienation in the novel, as she grapples with her identity in such an unfamiliar setting.