Jhumpa Lahiri's 'Interpreter Of Maladies'

Jhumpa Lahiri inserts numerous ideas hidden behind the words in each story of “Interpreter of Maladies”, containing many fascinating themes throughout the entire thing. Each narrative’s themes correspond in one way or another. It is hard to get a clear understanding of the book unless you are willing to analyze the text and find the common themes. The major things happening are the importance of identity, parent and child relationships, and the many things that take place during marriage. These ideas relating to various situations taking place in each story. When placed together, these topics create a masterpiece. Marriage and the love that binds two people together aren’t found easily. One’s marriage is the beginning of a new life with another person, when each person needs to contribute something in an effort to make it work. In the stories, marriage is an event of happiness, but additionally of secrecy and questions. The lives of Shukmar and Shoba’s are majorly transformed due to the death of their unborn baby, therefore causing their once happy marriage to change for the worst. No longer are they able to see each other in the way they used to. They

The narrator looks forwards to the opportunity that the new country can afford. He finds that it is where he feels at home, he refers to himself and his family as “American citizens”(196) For Lilia’s parents in Mr.Pirzada Came to Dine, the move to America presents them with many opportunities not open to them in India, however Lilia pays the price in terms of connection to her culture. In Mrs.Sen’s, Mrs.Sen refuses to adjust to American Culture. Her whole life is still in India and she feels that there is no reason to try to enjoy her life in this new culture. Each character in this collection struggles with their identity, whether newly displaced or stemmed from a different