As English majors, many of us have
read some of Jhumpa Lahiri’s work before, primarily from the collection of
short stories, Interpreter of Maladies. Since its publication in 1999, the book has
gone on to sell over fifteen-million copies.
When reading these short stories, one distinct concept seems to revolve
around and connect the pieces together.
In essence, these stories are primarily about immigrants and how they
adapt to living in another country.
However, upon rereading “A Temporary Matter”, I cannot seem to find that
theme evident within this particular story.
“A Temporary Matter” has a much more
personal concept that tends to overshadow everything else. Lahiri presents the reader with a couple who
has lost a child at birth, and are seemingly unable to move forward and adapt
to life after this horrific event. In my
mind, this is not a story of trying to learn how to live in a new country;
rather, it is a story about learning how to live in a new world entirely. Life for Shukumar and Shoba will never be the
same again. They are either going to
learn how to live their lives in this new reality together, or apart. Unfortunately we are only given Shukumar’s
point of view, which is incredibly naive; therefore we are unable to accurately
judge Shoba’s true intent.
My question to the class, primarily
to those who have read Lahiri’s work before, is am I wrong in the assumption
that this is the odd story out? As I
mentioned earlier, all of the other stories tend to reflect largely on the various
effects of immigration. The only real
connection that I can find in this story is that this couple is trying to live
in a new world, in the sense that the world they knew is no longer possible due
to the tragedy in which they experienced.
In closing, I would like to point out that this is probably my first or
second favorite piece that we have read this semester. I have always been a fan of Lahiri, her
attention to detail, and her powerful sense of storytelling. For those who have not read any of the other
stories from Interpreter of Maladies,
I would highly recommend that you do so.
I have not read any of Lahiri's other works before, but I did notice that while culture was of some importance, the main focus was on the story. This story really bridged a gap that many create, and showed that pain is something felt by everyone.
ReplyDeleteI think you can make cultural ties to the story if you wanted to. For example, I brought up in class the Americanization of Shukumar's cooking and preparation, while Shoba seems to cook and prepare as if she was still living in India. Also, what should we make of the American couple that walks by and is seemingly in a perfect relationship? Is that just because they didn't lose their child, or is Lahiri trying to say something else about culture? Just some things to think about.
ReplyDeleteInteresting point Ryan! I hadn't really thought about that though(maybe I was too caught up in the triviality of the sweater vest scene)! Apart from their names, I never really thought their culture was an important part of the storyline. To me their culture was kind of like classical background music, it's there, but your not really paying attention to it.
ReplyDeleteThere is no strong evidence that the contrast between Indian culture and American culture is to blame for the tensions between Shoba and Shukumar. Yes, Lahiri includes culturally specific details in this work, but the issue that underlies this story is not specific to any culture. Family is an important part of all cultures, and the loss of a child is enough to break apart a couple of any ethnic background. I think this story achieves what it does because it only offers Shukumar's viewpoint. Because we do not know Shoba's true intent, we are prodded enough to remain interested, but not lose interest. The level of admittance that Lahiri has chosen is rather perfect.
ReplyDelete"In my mind, this is not a story of trying to learn how to live in a new country; rather, it is a story about learning how to live in a new world entirely."
ReplyDeleteI think that's really well said, Ben. And I actually think that idea is what connects this story to the rest of Lahiri's works--they are, in a way, all about how the "world" is more than just different cultures, etc. Her characters (almost always Indians or Indian-Americans) show us that the events that effect/change our worlds are, in lots of ways, the same sort of events that connect us across cultures. Does that make sense?