In Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Namesake and Jonathan Safran Foer’s Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, both protagonist try to analyze and come to terms with their fathers’ deaths. They encounter sceneries and items that evoke memories of their past with their fathers. Through their memories, they are able to connect with their fathers who are no longer with them and find solace.

In The Namesake, Nikhil’s train rides triggers his the story of Ashoke’s story of how that “other train he has never seen, the one that nearly killed his father. Of the disaster that has given him his name” (Lihari 185). Nikhil has been constantly discovering himself. He finally realized the importance of his name. It’s a reminder of his father and everything his father has done for him. His name itself triggers memories. The birthday when his father gave him The Short Stories of Nikolai Gogol. Ashoke refrains from telling Nikhil the real reason why that is his gift. Ashoke “will never forget that night, it no longer lurks persistently in his mind, stalking him in the same way” (Lihari 78). Traces of Ghosh’s death linger in Nikhil’s name. Lihari manipulates powerful memories to make Nikhil’s namesake that much more significant.

In Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, the only link Oskar had to his father was the key he finds in the envelope with “Black” written on it.  He goes around from apartment to apartment looking for the last remnants of his father. Foer’s method of extracting remembrance is through the images he uses. The “flipbook” of Oskar’s father falling pushes Oskar to wish for a safer and more peaceful time, the quotidien routine of his life with his father, the jeweler. One early morning, Oskar returns to his mother and his mother explains how his father had called beforehand confirming he “was on the street, that he’d gotten of of the building. He said he was walking home” (Foer 324). That line allows Oskar and his mother to realize what a loving father he was. He didn’t want his family to panic. Foer is able to draw out intense emotions through the remembrance of the deceased and what they signify.

I reminded of the deceased family members that imparted fond memories to me. Whenever I cook steamed red snapper with ginger, scallion and soy. I reminisce about my late grandmother in Canton who taught me how to cook my first dish at the age of five. I recall the pungent aromas and the loud cleaver chopping away. Like Ashoke tells Gogol about the time they forgot the camera when they wanted to capture the sunset on the docks. “Remember that you and I made this journey, that we went together to a place where there was nowhere left to go” (Lihari 187).

“There are people whose remembrance gives light in this world, long after they have passed away. This light shines in our darkest nights on the road we must follow.” (Anonymous) Out of the most tragic and historic events there comes both deep sorrow and great hope. Jonathan Safran Foer, author of Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, takes the reader on a journey through the eyes of a nine-year old boy named Oskar Schell. With a roller-coaster of emotions, Jonathan Safran Foer captures and invokes remembrance of the September 11^th tragedy. Through the use of powerful sentences and descriptive words, the author puts the reader in the shoes of Oskar- who sadly lost his father in the terrorist attacks.

Remembrance is not only evoked through written language, but also through visual imagery. It is said that a single picture is worth more than a thousand words. Jonathan Safran Foer scattered a select amount of vivid images of the tragic event; drawing attention to places and particular objects. For example, the photograph on page 303, symbolizes the key of remembrance and unlocking the hidden truths of Oskar Schell’s father. The hands etched with the words “YES” and “NO” on page 260 depict the inability to communicate when one has experienced suffering. These images hold a deeper meaning that can only be exchanged through the reader’s eyes and felt with the heart. Remembrance, whether through a written language or a cluster of images, unlocks hidden doors and explores the windows of the soul.

“Memory is a way of holding on to the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose.” (Kevin Arnold) In the touching novel, The Namesake, written by Jhumpa Lahiri, the reader glances through the eyes of Gogol- struggling to shape his identity based on Indian traditions and American dreams. Through hardships, self-acceptance and understanding, Gogol must learn to come to terms with his name, his family, and his background. His name invokes remembrance through self identity- remembering who he is, and where he comes from. It holds a significant meaning that changes the course of his life as he soon realizes his place in America.

Like Jonathan Safran Foer, Jhumpa Lahiri uses descriptive language to create visual images. In the beginning of the novel, Ashima is about to give birth to Gogol and speaks of the differences between an American clock and an Indian one. Through the use of imagery and detailed phrases, Lahiri evokes remembrance. The ticking of the clock and counting of time during birth in America takes the reader back to the quiet life in India- where traditions are essential and family embodies everything. During his adventure through life, Gogol’s father reveals the significance of his son’s name- recalling a series of events that have shaped his life and will mark his destiny. Through self-identity and vivid memories, Gogol slowly comes to terms with himself and embarks on a new path- clinging on to his heritage, his father’s memories, and most importantly, his name.