Interpereter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri

Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri

This short story offers a picture perfect insight as to two opposing cultures: America and India. The events of the story take place as a native man, Mr. Kapasi, is giving a tour ride to an American family, the Das's. This family who come from Indian origin as well, perfectly portray a lose, disconnected American family. There's the half conscious dad who is more interested in taking pictures and studying tour guide notes then in his family, there is the wild undisciplined kids who perform whatever reckless thought that pops into their head, and there is the numb, but pretty and young mother who is more interested in their tour guide than anything else around her. The way the story is narrated with Kapsi's thoughts offered gives him an air of intelligence that the reader can find as he analyzes what happens before him, "Mr. Kapasi found it strange that Mr. Das should refer to his wife by her first name when speaking to the little girl" (149 Lahiri). This gateway into Mr. Kapasi's mind helps the reader identify with this man much more than the American family. Through all of this, the subject of Kapasi's gift of languages is continuously alluded to. I feel that his role as a translator symbolizes his whole life. Kapsi in almost all aspects of life, is treated just like a means to an end. In his job he does not produce his own thoughts or ideas, but rather is used as a bridge between a language barrier at a hospital. At home his wife, who was matched to him by his parents, neglects Kapasi and shows no interest in the man she was forced to marry.