When Mr Pirzada Came To Dine Summary

The Power of Acceptance

“It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.” ― Audre Lorde

People are afraid of what they don’t understand, they want to be right. Ultimately, people want to be understood and accepted. In “When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine,” Jhumpa Lahiri presents the idea that differences in culture can cause problems, but if people accept each other as they are, they can get along.

Cultural differences can cause problems. Pakistan and India have conflict. In 1971 Dacca is experiencing a lot of violence. People feel disrespected/oppressed, causes them to take extreme measures. Many Hindus and Muslims hate each other, Lilia’s father explains this to her when talking about Mr. Pirzada being different. “He told me that during Partition Hindus and Muslims had set fire to each other’s homes. For many, the idea of eating in the other’s company was still unthinkable” (Lahiri 1033). Lack of respect for other religions. People held onto anger from the past so it still causes problems. Shows that lack of understanding can cause problems

Pirzada is from a different culture and is a different religion. He is from Pakistan and is Muslim. He and Lilia’s family don’t care about this, they share meals together and get along. Pirzada becomes a part of the family, Lilia realizes this when he leaves. “it was only then that I felt Mr. Pirzada’s absence. It was only then, raising my water glass in his name, that I knew what it meant to miss someone who was so many miles and hours away” (1042). Lilia doesn’t even think about their different cultures, just misses person she is close to. Differences just make people unique, should be