Jhumpa Lahiri's 'Interpreter Of Maladies'

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The story “Interpreter of Maladies” is written by Jhumpa Lahiri. Lahiri, throughout the short story, does not make an obvious theme but, it is interpreted as, “Some things just don’t turn out the way they are supposed to.” This is a common theme that is well placed in major parts of Lahiri's story. One piece of evidence to support the theme in the story is the character Mrs. Das. She is a mother of of three children, Ronny, Bobby and Tina. She is also married to Mr. Das. The theme fits here because with the these three kids that she has, it’s very interesting to see how this supposed “mother” acts so teen like throughout the story. Lahiri writes, “At the tea Mr. and Mrs. Das bickered about how who should take tina to the toilet” (335). With this story taking place inside India, a country which they are completely foreign to, any parents with instincts would not fight about who has to take their child to the bathroom. In fact, Mr and Mrs. Das almost act as if they were brother and sister because they argue over such small things. Lahiri writes soon after, “ Mrs. Das emerged slowly from his bulky white Ambassador, dragging her shaved, largely largely bare legs across the back seat. she did not hold …show more content…
Kapasi. He had lost his son to fatal disease when the boy was seven years old. He worked hard so that he could pay the medical bills. From the passing son, Mrs. Kapasi his wife loses interest in him. It can be related as his wife thinking of him as sort of a “loser.” What also relates to the theme here is that Mr. Kapasi has never seen his wife naked or showing some skin. Mrs. Das who is also Indian wears shorts and pink lipstick and is actually attracted to her. Lahiri writes, “He wondered if Mr, and Mrs. Das were bad match, just as he and his wife were” (342). Mr. Kapasi is hypnotized by Mrs. Das even though in a realistic sense she doesn’t seem attractive judging by her portrayal in this
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