Interpreter Of Maladies By Jhumpa Lahiri

Dealing With Change

Throughout the collection of short stories, Interpreter of Maladies, by Jhumpa Lahiri, many characters have varying levels of success assimilating and accepting American customs. People face adapting to new cultures in various ways, which is reflected in the short stories “Mrs. Sen’s” and “When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine”, as Mrs. Sen completely isolates herself from society, opposed to Lilia’s family, that views America as an opportunity.

Mrs. Sen is unable and unwilling to change the way she lives to fit the typical American lifestyle. During the short story, she makes many references to India and her former life. Mrs. Sen expresses, ‘“At home that is all you have to do. Not everybody has a telephone. But just raise your

Pirzada Came To Dine” view their life in America very differently than Mrs. Sen. Lilia believes that America is a place with ‘every opportunity’. Lilia says, “In her estimation, I knew, I was assured a safe life, an easy life, a fine education, every opportunity. I would never have to eat rationed food, or obey curfews, or watch riots from my rooftop, or hide neighbors in water tanks to prevent them from being shot, as she and my father had” (26). One of the aspects of America that is extremely important to Lilia’s parents is safety. In India, her parents were forced to “watch riots...hide neighbors in water tanks to prevent them from being shot”. Opposed to Ms. Sen, Lilia is comparing India to the United States in a negative light. Lilia does not have to worry about her safety or rationed food, and she will be able to focus on other parts of her life, like school. Lilia’s mother is thinking about all of the obstacles that Lilia will face in school, and she expresses, “Imagine having to place her in a decent school. Imagine her having to read during power failures by the light of kerosene lamps. Imagine the pressures, the tutors, the constant exams” (26). Jhumpa Lahiri utilizes oxymoron in this quote. She uses the word “having”, which is normally used in a negative way, but she is talking about school in a positive light. Lilia’s parents are anticipating Lilia going through school and all of the things she will accomplish. Lilia’s parent foresee all of the opportunities Lilia will receive because she lives in