How
does the Interpreter of Maladies exemplify a work of Post Modernism?
How do the complexities of the human condition (human behavior and
relationships) as seen through the characters made possible by the
author reflect deeply in this work. Think about both perspective and
purpose?
The short
story, “Interpreter of Maladies” written by Jhumpa Lahiri in 1999 is surely a
piece of post modernism. There are many themes in the story such as desire,
failure and misconception, which shows post modernism’s problems of human
nature, how they tend to interpret things differently which lead to a different
perspective. Mr. Kapasi, the main character of the story is an interpreter by
profession. The doctor for whom Mr. Kapasi works for, has to rely on his
explanations to understand the situation of the patient. “So these patients are
totally dependent on you” (Lahiri, 18). Even Mrs. Das in the story believes
that his job has very crucial part in the interpretations. The description of the
things by the author makes the reader imagine about the plot and makes them
feel a part of it. Lahiri takes care of the minute details in the story, like
Mr. Das reading his guide book. “He glanced up from his paperback tour book”
(Lahiri, 13). The readers get to know whenever Mr. Das looks towards his guide
book. Also Lahiri takes time to write about the scenic beauty. “Where nearly
transparent clouds passed quickly in front of one another” (Lahiri, 17). The
very accurate and specific writing, depicts the character so well that the
reader can know about the perfections and flaws. “Mrs. Das said nothing to stop
her. She sat a bit slouched at one end of the back seat, not offering her
puffed rice to anyone” (Lahiri, 15). This is a clear example from the story
describing negative aspects about Mrs. Das.
One great
theme of the story is desire. Mr. Kapasi has developed an inclination for Mrs.
Das. Interest of Mrs. Das towards his profession, misinterprets Mr. Kapasi. He
is deceived and starts believing that Mrs. Das has attractions for him too. He
is expecting future communications with her. The truth is revealed when Mr.
Kapasi gets to know that she is looking him as a fatherly figure to discuss her
failure in past. “The feeling that he had towards her, that had made him check
his reflection in the rearview mirror as they drove, evaporated a little”
(Lahiri, 27). Mr. Kapasi has just got to know about the misunderstanding he had
about intimacy with Mrs. Das. Lahiri has greatly shown the theme of
misconception. Mr. Kapasi was well aware of the fact that he cannot have any
kind of relationship with Mrs. Das as she is already married and has three children.
But the negligent behavior of Mrs. Das towards everyone and a curious attitude
towards Mr. Kapasi gave a negative impression to Mr. Kapasi. He misinterpreted
this intimacy and just landed into reality which demonstrates a piece from post
modernism period as he very well expected this failure in advance. He already
knew that this experience will be fallible which can only be expected from a
post modernism piece. Both the main characters have failed to understand each
other’s view of this relationship. This story also exemplifies the period of post
modernism by showing the behavior of human. The way Mrs. Das deals with the
guilt of having a child biologically from another parent and the way she
behaves towards her husband and children gives a glimpse of post modernism
period. “Leave me alone”, “you are making me mess up” (Lahiri, 16). These lines
of Mrs. Das are for her daughter. The way she responds to her is completely
strange to me. This is a clear example from the story signifying it is post
modernism work. Mr. Das is aware of the sadness of his wife but he veils this
by explaining himself that his relationship is steadily growing with time which
is not true. The story, “Interpreter of Maladies” is certainly a work of post
modernism explaining human complexities, especially through its themes, desire
and misconception.
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