Chapter 5 Summary

When Gogol turns eighteen, he decides to change his name legally. Ashima and Ashoke do not think this is necessary, but they do nothing to stop him. Gogol thinks it is very anticlimactic when the judge signs the papers, forever changing his name to Nikhil. It is not until Gogol moves into the dorms at Yale that the change begins to show itself, however, since his parents, his sister, and all their friends will forever call him Gogol. At college, Gogol is known as Nikhil. Gogol feels like a different person, though he suffers a small amount of guilt for changing his name. Nikhil is a man who is more confident, more American, and a man who fits in with his fellow students.

All through his freshman year, Gogol returns home every other weekend. However, the more time passes, the less he feels...