The power behind communication, the ability and inability to convey an individual’s own thoughts as well as being able to comprehend and understand the experiences of others has been illustrated as a significant theme in Jhumpa Lahiri’s short story collection Interpreter of Maladies. This collection of stories, published in 1999 by Jhumpa Lahiri, highlights the division of American and Indian immigrant experiences. These stories focus on the change of the characters from their heritage and due to the hardships of assimilation into a new culture as well as adjusting to life in America. The prominent theme of communication is displayed in these short stories. These stories dig deep into the conflict of individuals communicating due to the constant battle of fighting feelings of separation, isolation as well as misinterpretations. Therefore, the theme of communication is seen as the key to maintaining a successful relationship. Throughout these stories, the diverging characters struggle to uphold and attain their past cultural identities by the creation of a new identity in life in America. Despite the difference of where these stories are told or the distinction of characters, the grapple between characters fighting their new life becomes similar as they all face experiences of displacement and exclusion.
Evaluating this theme of communication becomes prominently illustrated in the short story, “Interpreter of Maladies, following an Indian tour guide Mr.Kapasi and his involvement with the Das family. Mr. Das is a character who is displayed with a lack of communication throughout the story. He often lacks communication with his wife, leading him down a path of loneliness and ultimately a failed marriage. Mr. Kapasi, the tour guide, leads with the attempt to try and communicate and approach Mrs. Das. Language is seen as central to Mr.Kapasi’s job as a tour guide as well as his role as the “interpreter of maladies”, being able to translate from one Indian language to another. However, throughout the story, the irony of communication is acknowledged in Mr. Kapasi’s story of his own failure of communication towards his family, and the miscommunication between his relationship with Mrs. Das. He, therefore, is revealed as the lonely husband who shows little to no respect towards his wife resulting in a negative outlook on life throughout his lens of an unhappy marriage. As a result, he, therefore, is drawn to Mrs. Das, constantly fantasizing about communication with her. The irony behind this serves that is Mr. Kapasi illustrates himself as an “interpreter” but is ultimately viewed as having trouble interpreting his relationship with Mrs. Das. Therefore, based on the theme of communication, communication is highlighted when it is lacking between Mr. and Mrs. Das’s inability to communicate with each other, ultimately leading to the failure behind their marriage. Communication is displayed as a major factor in expanding perceptions as well as creating meaningful connections and relationships with each other. Therefore, miscommunication is emphasized in this short story, ultimately altering the perception of another individual.
Hi, this is a great presentation helping understand and explain complex themes that sometimes can be overlooked and not completely understood when reading the amount of literature that we do in this class. I believe the lack of communication is something that can sometimes be evident in many relationships and is solely the most important part of any relationship whether it be work or personal. Once again this is a great representation of what issues can be relevant in everyday life.
Hello! I thought your presentation was really well thought-out. I liked how you mentioned communication being a theme in this short story collection as then I know what to look for and be thinking of moving forward through the stories. I think communication or lack thereof is such a big factor when it comes to cultures interacting so I’m glad you mentioned this.
Hi! I enjoyed this post and your discussion on the topic of communication. Communication is undoubtedly one of the most important aspects of life and of different cultures.
Great context presentation! I liked how you provided some background information on the theme of communication in these short stories. This will be an important concept as I read and analyze the text. I also liked how you mentioned the irony factor in the story that Mr. Kapasi displays. Lastly, I like how you acknowledged how communication plays a big role in maintaining a healthy and open relationship. I think all of us can agree that miscommunication can lead to problems or fights in a relationship; in this example, Mr. Kapasi and his wife have a failed marriage due to miscommunication.
Hello! Really great post. It was really well thought out and really well written. It gave me a huge insight to the story. It allowed me to introduce myself to the main theme of the story, which benefitted me later on. I liked how you introduced the main characters as well. It gave a clear explanation of the role that they play in the story and what I should be paying close attention to in the story. Overall, great job!
Hi I enjoyed your context presentation! I enjoy your conclusion on the idea that communication is a key factor in expanding the perceptions and perspectives of the different characters. Especially, when observed as miscommunication.
Hi,
I really enjoyed your presentation, and your examples to explain how integral communication is to these short stories were great. I never thought about communication as something that was present in these stories, but the examples you brought up with Mr. Kapasi show that it actually is. Sticking with that same short story, the moment when the piece of paper flew out of Mrs. Das’s bag can also illustrate a loss of communication. Mr. Kapasi can no longer send the letters he intended to, which would’ve changed how he saw Mrs. Das. Now he will forever have the scene of the Das family on the hill stuck in his mind, the only perception he has remaining of them. Overall though I though you did really well with your presentation, it had some great ideas and points.
Thank you for this context presentation! It was helpful to highlight the important themes of these short story. Communication ultimately takes a big role in most stories but especially this one highlights the irony of lacking the important role of communication in relationships. I look forward to sharing thoughts about these short stories with my classmates this week.
This was a great context presentation. You showed all the important themes and premises of the story. I like how you included how much of a key factor communication is to show each characters personality and their traits. I do agree that sometimes themes are overlooked, and that this should not be the case. Most writings and plays and movies and just literary works overall, are based upon overall themes and messages that they are trying to convey. You cannot really understand the work unless you pick up on the themes.
Hi,
You did an awesome job at analyzing the story and looking at the major themes of the short story and some of the meanings behind it. I couldn’t imagine the difficulties when immigrating to another country and trying to deicide what to keep from your old culture and what to replace in order to fit in. I hope to gain more insight on this while reading the short stories.
Your context presentation on the short stories was a very nice read. I like that you provided a lot of background information on the topics being discussed before diving into your analysis of the story. I also like that you identified a theme of communication and expanded on it throughout your post.
I think it is so interesting that communication is truly different all over the world. Learning how to communicate in different countries is key, especially when you are working in the business world where being able to clearly state your goals and objectives and know the correct way to be polite in that country.
Hi!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and opinions on the reading for this week. Communication is such an important aspect of life and being unable to communicate can result in a number of difficulties. A lack of communication however can effect different people in different ways. Great post!
Hello, I really enjoyed reading your post. You Included a lot of important details that helps the reader get a better understanding of your presentation.
Hello!
I think communication is a very interesting thing to focus on! There is definitely a great lack of communication in that short story. I also think there is a lot of bad communication in the story A Real Durwan because Boori Ma lies about her past life and it eventually leads to her being kicked out because they don’t believe her when she is actually telling the truth. Great presentation!
Hi, I enjoyed reading your context presentation! I thought you did a really nice job connecting the theme of miscommunication to the story line and used examples. I agree with what you said about Mr. Das and how his lack of communication ruined his marriage and lead to a lonely life.
Hi!
This is a well written and informative context presentation! I think society fails to realize how important communication is and how it develops our relationships and feelings. Communication is significant within ones relationship with themself as well as with others.
Hello,
This was a very interesting context presentation. It can easily be forgotten or neglected how important communication really is. It can certainly be the deciding factor between a happy and unhappy life. If one keeps their feelings inside it can lead to many mental health illness including depression, not to mention it can ruin relationships as shown here.
Thank you for sharing and elaborating on the communication themes found in the short stories of Interpreter of Maladies. I enjoyed reading your Context Presentation this week!
My parents always stress the importance of communication as it is a very good skill to have in the long run. Im sure we have all watched certain tv shows or movies where the conflict can be easily solved through simple communication, causing us to almost yell at our screens, I know I have. Great post!
Hi! I think your work has made me better understand the meaning of this collection of novels. At the same time, I think communication is really one of the important themes of this book. And there are many examples in this article, and many details in the novel are provided. I think this can help readers better grasp what you want to express in your work.
Good job!
Hi! Very interesting and insightful presentation! Communication is key to every relationship and important for life and as you explained we see how a lack of communication can ruin a relationship.