The use of power in American literature Before American literature, power’s defining trait was the ability to possess authority over one’s actions. Today, novels such as F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, Jeanette Wall’s The Glass Castle, and Jhumpa Lahari’s “A Temporary Matter” have redefined power. In these novels, power is a tool, coming in different variations. One instance of power as a means to progress through “A Temporary Matter” is the couple, Shukumar and Shoba. Then, the couple becomes disconnected from one another due to the loss of their child. Despite this loss, they ultimately grow in their relationship once they accept their grief. Moreover, The Great Gatsby’s “Gatsby” builds upon his love of Daisy and develops a dream …show more content…
Characters develop through the power of their ignorance. During the novel, Shukumar resides at the residence. During this period, Shukumar made an uninformed decision – the masked use of pornographic photos of women. This action in part poisons Shukumar’s relationship. Later in the story, however, the damage was mitigated “when the house was dark”. They were able to talk” (Lahair 9). When escaping the grief of their dead infant in the absence of light, the couple overcomes this grief, thus producing a semblance of love that overpowers their losses. As a result, the couple talks, signifying that corrections are made, and that the grief has disappeared along with the guilt of Shukumar’s mistake. While the power of faults and grief enables the couple to regain a semblance of love, the prolonged effects will mushroom their connection. The loss of humility creates love. After Shoba and Shukamar connect, the couple is enabled to indulge in lust, “making love with a desperation they had forgotten” (Lahair 9). At first, the couple talked. Now, the couple yields to a place of