Ashima Ganguli vs My Mom

 Ashima Ganguli and my mother have a few similarities, but more noticeable differences. Culture, obviously, is a big difference. Ashima is a Bengali woman, and my mother is white and doesn't follow a religion. Most of their ideals are different as well, while living situations can be seen as similar. 

A major difference I saw between Ashima and my mom was when Ashima urged Gogol to go out with Moushumi. Gogol didn't really want to go at first, but Ashima wanted him to: "This time, because he is in the same room with her, he writes it down, still with no intention of calling. But his mother persists..." (Lahiri 192). Although I am much younger than Gogol was at this point in the story, I can never imagine my mom setting me up with someone. My mom gets worried at this age when I tell her I am in a relationship, because she doesn't want to see me get hurt. That being said, she also wants me to grow up without having to rely on her for everything. This is why I don't think she would ever set me up - she wants me to be independent and find people I can build a connection with. Would your parents ever set you up on a date if they saw you lonely?

Ashima seems to have set up a lot of parties for little celebrations, or sometimes just to see her friends. My mom is not a partier. She will plan little gatherings with her friends or family for Thanksgiving or Christmas, but she does not enjoy setting up parties for no reason. Ashima's parties always turn out to be big and with her Bengali friends. My mom's gatherings are normally also with one group of friends, however, they are not always of just one culture.

A similarity between Ashima and my mom is that they both moved far from their families and eventually went back. Obviously, Ashima moved from India to America. My mom only ever moved within Canada. After Ashima's children grow up and become independent, she decides she is going to move back and forth between India and America: "Ashima has decided to spend six months of her life in India, six months in the states" (275). My mom's family is mostly in Ottawa, while she was living in British Columbia. When my brother was 12 and I was 14, we expressed our want to move to Ottawa. My mom made thar happen. Although Ashima and my mom moved for different reasons, their stories about moving in general are similar. How much has your family moved? Ever far from your extended family?