Identity Quotes in The Golem and the Jinni

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #1

"I don't have a name." (1.74)

Neither the Golem nor the Jinni start out with a name, hence them being called the Golem and the Jinni for most of the book, unless they're being referred to by humans who only know them as Chava and Ahmad. These names are assigned to them, though, and they never quite identity with them.

Quote #2

It was not so much that he liked [the name "Ahmad"], as that he found it the least objectionable. In the repeated a's he heard the sound of the wind, the distant echo of his former life. (5.48)

The Jinni will never fully accepts an American identity, but he makes a small concession in accepting a name.

Quote #3

After that, there was little question as to his path. […] Doctor Mahmoud became Ice Cream Saleh. (5.86)

The supernatural creatures aren't the only ones to have identity changes. Most of the characters end up altering identities when coming to America, and sometimes it's a bit of a downgrade, like going from doctor to ice cream seller.