Jhumpa Lahiri was born in London to Indian Immigrants from the state of West Bengal. When she was three, her family moved to Kingston, Rhode Island. Lahiri received her B.A. in English literature from the Barnard College of Columbia University, she then went on to receive multiple degrees from Boston University. For years, publishers rejected Lahiri’s short stories, until in 1999, her debut short story collection The Interpreter of Maladies was published. Lahiri’s writing is often autobiographical, usually involving Indian immigrants moving to America, trying to find a balance between their old home and new. Spending most of her life on the East Coast of the US, Lahiri calls it home, however, she had always felt that she was an immigrant and did not fully belong.
The Interpreter of Maladies conists of nine short stories that navigate themes such as immigration, family, love, and self-acceptance. Lahiri writes these short stories through her own perspective, growing up with her parents and their close circle of Bengali immigrant friends. Many of the characters in her stories are based on the experiences of these people she grew up around. Often Lahiri’s characters find themsleves strugling to accept themslevs and be accepted by those arround them. This is exactly how Lahiri and the many other immigrants feel about adapting to life in the US. Lahiri wants to show the trials and diffuclties that come with such a culture shock of moving from one country or place to another.
In 1911, a congress report stated that Hindu’s were “universally regarded as the least desirable race of immigrants thus far admitted to the United States.” Now, over a centry later, Indian Americans range from CEOs in Silicon Valley, influential members of Congress, to leaders in fields like journalism, science,health, and engineering. This a powerful showing of strength and ability to suceed even in a place wanting to see you fail.
Refrences:
Badrinathan, Sumitra “Social Realities of Indian Americans: Results From the 2020 Indian American Attitudes Survey” Carneigie. 9 June 2021
social-realities-of-indian-americans-results-from-2020-indian-american-attitudes-survey-pub-84667
Lahiri Jhumpa. Interview. pifmagazine. August 1999
Lahiri, Jhumpa. Interview. Chicago Public Library, 31 Octover, 2006.
Nice context, I appreciate the short explanation at the beginning as well. i am excited to read all of these short stories, especially since it is autobiography based. I am also excited to learn more about this particular topic.