The Name Game

Today in class when we began to discuss Omishto's name, I remembered the conversation we had in the previous class about the importance of names. Lucy finds comfort in her name--it sets her nature apart from the people who surround her that are all named after family members or nothing in particular. Her name also explains the relationship between her and her mother has been strained since her conception, a fact that might comfort her in the knowledge that she did nothing specific to garner her mother's hatred. In Power, Omishto's name amplifies her fascination with her surroundings. Her name highlights the strongest quality she possesses: her ability to evaluate and connect with her surroundings. The interesting part of Omishto's character, though, is her disconnect with other people. It is as if, like Ama, she cannot find a common ground with her people because her character is so unlike them. Anyway, the fact her father chose a name that personified her interesting quality of watchfulness goes to show that perhaps it is not the name that gives the person power, but rather the person that gives the name the power. Characters such as Atticus Finch and Holden Caulfied give powers to their names. So, maybe it is our personalities that give our names their significance? Maybe the Taiga have it right: name your child after you know it, that way their name is actually theirs.