The Namesake Case

Namesake Journal 2

The Namesake and The Things They Carried are two very different books when it comes to structure. TTTC is a very non-linear book where the points of view are constantly changing, the events are rarely chronological and, though there is much detail, it is given in blocks in the novel; usually in stories. The Namesake is almost precisely the opposite. Contrary to TTTC, it is almost always linear, the points of view don't change as much and detail is given in every orifice of the book. The authors chose very different structures, however, they did coincide on a few aspects. They both use flashbacks to support their novels and change the point of view to give the reader a new aspect on the story. They are mainly different because of their amount of usage of these structural devices. These two novels compare and contrast structurally based on their usage of structural devices, their choice of devices and how these devices convey their ideas.

Both O'Brien and Lahiri use structural devices in their novels. The main difference between them is how many times they use the devices. O'Brien uses structural devices on every page and his favorite one, flashbacks, are used in practically every chapter. Lahiri is slightly more reserved with her use of devices. She indeed does use flashbacks and view changes, however they are used much more sparingly. Lahiri adds in structural devices to give background or to shed some light on a confusing part of the novel. However, all of Lahiri's novel is tied together by a structural device, chronology. This device is subtle and used so frequently throughout the book that it might seem non-existent, though it is what makes the book so detailed and appealing in a completely different sense than O'Brien's.

Several of the structural devices are shared by both authors. As stated before, they both use flashbacks and view changes as well as a few minor devices in order to enhance their novels and broaden the reader's knowledge on the story. But they also use several different devices that set their novels apart. Lahiri uses rigid chronology that is only broken a few times to progress the story. However, these flashbacks are only used so as not to complicate the novel o make it too drawn out. Lahiri adds a flash-forward at the end of the novel where Gogol says "In a few minutes (my) mother will com upstairs to find (me)... but for now (my) mother is distracted... for now, (I) read" (290). This leaves the ending open and sows a distinct change in Gogol's life. O'Brien's style of writing is very different. He uses a very unchronological method that overall is unnecessary though it adds flare and makes it interesting. Unlike O'Brien, Lahiri uses a much more traditional story structure. She follows the triangle structure and has a beginning, climax and resolution where O'Brien does not give a