"By Any Other Name" is a thoughtful narrative that explores many of the intricacies of cultural identity, assimilation, and resistance. By reflecting on an episode from her own childhood, Santha Rama Rau crafts a narrative that goes beyond its specific cultural setting to offer universal insights into the complexities of navigating identity in the face of cultural upheaval.

The story takes place when colonial influences permeated many aspects of Indian society. The emphasis on British-run schools as the only avenue for legitimate education reflects the broader challenges many Indians faced in balancing cultural preservation with the pragmatic necessities of the time. The reluctance of the mother to send her daughters to such schools initially underscores the skepticism toward the long-term impact of Western education on indigenous cultural values.

As an Indian writer who lived in both India and the United States, Rama Rau brings a bicultural perspective to her work. Her experiences navigating cultural boundaries inform the authenticity and sensitivity with which she portrays her struggles as a young child. This bicultural lens allows her to navigate the complexities of ethnic identity with nuance and shed light on the internal conflicts those straddling multiple cultural worlds face.

Published in The New Yorker in 1951, a few years after India gained independence, the story is set during the years of British colonial rule. This time difference is crucial because it allows Rama Rau to explore how colonialism's effects linger. The story reflects the post-colonial struggle for identity by illustrating how the remnants of colonial ideologies persist in shaping individuals' lives even after independence. By choosing to tell this particular story from her formative years, the author is indicating the lasting impact of these events.

Symbolism plays a significant role in conveying the clash between cultural traditions and external pressures. The renaming of the sisters serves as a symbolic act of cultural erasure. The headmistress's attempt to Anglicize their names represents the broader colonial influence seeking to reshape identities. Santha's compliance and Premila's resistance symbolize the choices individuals face when navigating the complexities of cultural assimilation.

Even the title of this story is full of symbolic meaning and encapsulates the story's central theme of national identity and the power dynamics inherent in naming. Drawing from Shakespeare's famous line from Romeo and Juliet, "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet," the title suggests that names are arbitrary labels. Yet the story reveals the profound impact of these labels on one's sense of self and cultural identity. 

The act of renaming the sisters symbolizes the broader colonial attempt to reshape and redefine Indian identities in a Western mold. The title serves as a reminder that names carry cultural weight and significance. Names influence not only how individuals see themselves but also how others see them. In this context, the title becomes a subtle critique of the dismissive attitude towards indigenous names and a commentary on the enduring struggle for cultural recognition and autonomy.

Literary devices, particularly voice and perspective, enhance the narrative's emotional impact. Santha's perspective, articulated with a "very tiny voice," reflects the vulnerability of a child thrust into a cultural conundrum. The narrative tone, restrained and introspective, underscores the subtleties of resistance and the internal conflicts the characters face. The repeated use of dialogue, particularly the exchange between the headmistress and the sisters, amplifies the power dynamics and the small acts of defiance that ripple through the story.

The narrative structure and techniques employed by Rama Rau contribute to the immersive exploration of cultural challenges. The use of a first-person narrative, filtered through Santha's perspective as a small child, creates an intimate connection between the reader and the character. This narrative choice lets readers empathize with Santha's internal conflicts, making the story more emotionally resonant. The episodic structure, marked by significant events at school, time at home, and the withdrawal from the school, mirrors the disjointed nature of the characters' lives as they navigate cultural shifts.