Less Change More Range

“Zeesman! You’re last!” Of course this was always the case. I always sat in the back left corner of the classroom, always had to wait for everyone else to get their grades or talk to the teacher. Names are who we are, but are they? I used to have distaste for my last name; it just seems like trouble with something as basic as a name is so frustrating, but in the end it does not matter. At this point in my life I am not looking to redefine myself for the purpose of fear, hope, influence, or insight, instead I am looking to conform to the person that I wish to be and be known for. Life is precious, time is short, this extensive name change series is interesting to someone like me who could not fathom a story like this in everyday life.

In the novel Jasmine by Bharati Mukherjee, our focal point is on this multi faceted character who is continually redefining herself. Through several climactic life moments Jasmine is masked with a different persona, or at least she goes as far as to ascribe to that identity. At the beginning of the novel we are introduced to a young Jyoti, a passive Indian woman charged with the need to discover the world, and herself. After a devastating event, the murder of her husband, Jyoti felt the need to look in another direction. In her travel with Prakash Jyoti realized that she was to be “a new kind of city woman…he gave [Jyoti] a new name: Jasmine” (67). This identity cloak that Jasmine has utilized is more than just a name change, it is a distinct change in livelihood, where decisions, logic, and mindset have been shifted.

Jasmine is no stranger to unfortunate events as we delve through the chapters in this story. Jasmine is raped on her first night in America, the world have a gloomy cast. The strength within our character pushes her to move past the pain and suffering of her life, from lost loves to broken hearts, and so Jasmine must accept the cards that life has handed her, this is why meeting Lillian is one of the best things for “Jazzy.”  Lillian referred to Jasmine as “Jazzy in a T-shirt, tight cords, and running shoes” (113) Jazzy had  a fresh face and a stiff upper lip, destined to find happiness in herself she changed again.

With the introduction of New York, Jazzy sets in motion an even further series of events that would further redefine her. Taylor is the man for Jazzy….but Jase is the name that Taylor finds applicable. Taylor and Jase become closer and closer, growing together. Jase finds much more strength and independence in herself, she is a powerful woman who knows what she wants, and she is willing to make it happen. This is all working out just fine until Jase is thrown back the man that murdered Prakash, and is therefore motivated to flea New York for the protection of those she cares about, namely Taylor and Duff.

Jase finds her way to Iowa to evolve into a new style of life, along with a companion to share this time with. This man is Bud, the father of her unborn child. Going from the rabid New York City lifestyle to the slow grind of the farmer has taken Jane down quite a bit, and her role is constructed with the addition of yet another name change. Whether Jane is comfortable with her situation may be up in the air at this point, but I feel as though she is willing to sacrifice some ‘fun’ for a bit of comfort.

A name is whatever you make of it, but it should be something that revolves around the scope of interesting of that person. In this story of Jyoti/Jasmine/Jase/Jane is the story of a young woman growing up, finding who she is and what she wants to be. It is the story of a woman in different environments exposed to the world but willing to cope with whatever is thrown her way. There is great strength in our character, but questions may be raised about how her changes of names might be a reflection of her indecisions in life. This depth of name changes is simply too much for anyone, it is obvious that Jasmine is susceptible to influence as we have seen throughout the story. It is this naïve nature that pushes Jasmine in what I would consider to be the right direction.