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  • Essay / Diseases and Failed Relationships in Lahiri's Short Stories

    Jhumpa Lahiri's labyrinthine anthology, "Interpreter of Maladies" is an expose on the plight of Indians and Indian-Americans and their interactions with each other, society and their environment. The complexity of his narratives is attributed to Lahiri's efforts to form meticulous character profiles, enhanced by the distinguished approaches his protagonists employ to deal with their afflicting "illnesses." Looking back, it seems that the inability to overcome these adversities is linked to the absence of strong relationships, but Lahiri also points out that this is not always the case; Even the strongest relationships may fail to overcome certain obstacles in life. Additionally, it shows that resilient relationships are helpful, but are not essential for success. Say no to plagiarism. Get Custom Essay on 'Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned'?Get Original Essay Boori Ma's dispirited plight can be attributed to her lack of strong connections in 'Calcutta'. Since she was "separated from her husband and four daughters", she has participated in some loose associations with the "residents" of the dilapidated building which she maintained as "a veritable durwan", standing "guard between them and the outside world.” ' Her detachment from the other residents is accentuated by the fact that on "certain" occasions when she was invited to their home, she knew "not to sit on the furniture" and, instead, she crouched “in doorways and hallways,” ignored even as a guest. This meager display of hospitality and appreciation is not unconditional as it would be in true affiliations, because they "throw her out" the first time she fails to fulfill her supposedly voluntary duty and "instantly begin their search” to replace it. Although they are relatively familiar with the sympathy and kindness of the Dalals who promise her "a new bed, quilts, a pillow [and] a blanket", they ultimately fail to defend her when she needs it. no longer needed, and therefore Likewise, the short-lived and barren relationship of "twenty-two" Miranda and her temporary lover Dev, as well as their failure to achieve "eternal love" are associated with the unstable factors on which she has been built since its creation: lust, lies and superficiality. The latter is delineated in their initial meeting place at "Filene", a cosmetics department whose ultimate goal is to beautify, and is followed by Dev's description of Miranda as "sexy", meaning "to love someone". one you don’t know.” Miranda then understands that she is nothing more than a "mistress" since Dev only likes her on the surface, thus solidifying Lahiri's proposition that failure is the result of weak relationships. Mala and her husband's successful assimilation in America can be attributed to the strength of their family. marriage. They seek “comfort in each other’s arms” and have each other to confide in. “It was Mala who consoled” her husband when he discovered “Mrs. Croft's obituary” in “the Globe” one evening, demonstrating their ardent support in overcoming the “illnesses” that befell them in life. Likewise, the strength of the bond between the once content couple, Shoba and Shukumar, allows them to finally overcome the overwhelming grief that has kept them apart since their "baby was stillborn." Shukumar remembers his wife “keeping [her] long fingers linked to his […] at the party” with which she surprised him, symbolizing their former unity. Lahiri suggests that they can rediscover this love through shared activities, as evidenced by her inclusion of images of "..