Lahiri the Interpreter

Lahiri writes in such a way that any reader with even the slightest human emotions can engulf themselves in her writing and relate in some way. Someone brought up the fact that Lahiri’s shorts stories are global scenarios. I responded to the short answer question in class in the same way. Feelings are universal. Certainly each environment and culture will differ with each scenario in their own way but it is easy to take out specifics such as background and location and apply them to our own lives. Love, heartache, loneliness and joy are felt throughout our world and Lahiri breaks through cultural confinements. Matt says in his blog that “The topics in the chapters are things that might actually happen in really life. A man struggling to identify with his wife, a woman unable to find love, all of these things most likely happen on a daily basis.” I concur.

Erin goes on to say “Lahiri has characters and situations that are relatable. “ I agree wholeheartedly. I have never lost a child, nor have I been married and desperate to learn who my husband is, and I certainly am not afflicted with Epilepsy but I am sympathetic to these characters that the author has created for us. As Heather was so kind to point out in class, I did have an opinion regarding Mrs. Croft in “The Third and Final Continent.” Perhaps she was senile and a little controlling but all it took was one awkward situation and one small giggle from Mala reacting to this bizarre, foreign woman and her husbands dynamic for our Narrator to realize that his wife was a “perfect lady!”

Marriage is a specific global event that all cultures seem to have adapted in some form over the centuries and this union is represented in all of the stories we have been discussing. Alex begins her blog by saying “I for one think it is very interesting that Lahiri's collection of short stories that we have read thus far all seem to revolve around the idea of marriage, the sanctity of marriage, the art of getting married, and, briefly, the consequences of not getting/being married.” Lahiri captures the intensity and the uniqueness of marriage. I especially felt the disconnection between Shoba and Shukumar in “A Temporary Matter.” It was interesting that when the lights were out only then could they really communicate. It’s easy to identify with that. We are a spoiled generation. We have a plethora of communication outlets; email, cellular phones and text messaging, facebook, twitter, the media, etc. are all important parts of our culture. Even with all of these benefits and the technology we are gifted with people still struggle to communicate. Maybe we should all take Lahiri’s advice and turn off the lights and just listen.

PS-Has anyone seen The Namesake? I only saw bits and pieces but I found it off-putting. Kumar belongs in White Castle, not in serious character roles created by an exceptional writer.

PPS-Professor Julie, did you happen to relate “A Temporary Matter” to the BtVS episode “Hush,” or was that just me and my massive Joss Whedon obsession?