Interpreter of Maladies

Interpreter of Maladies
Jhumpa Lahiri

In Interpreter of Maladies, what I noticed most was what type of marriage American culture seems to cultivate. Mrs. and Mr. Das fell in and out of love far too early, but not too early to not have had children, who of course, they now ignore. The sad little family is taken on a tour by Mr. Kapasi, and Mr. Kapasi seems to take special notice of Mrs. Das. "He observed her." What is interesting though, is that he starts to think that Mrs. Das is interested in him! Her subtle actions lead his lonely mind to imagine a connection between them. In the end though, he learns that she only needs his advice, and that in fact he is seen as a father figure, and not a potential date. I think, through reading this short story that there is much to say about implications and about assumptions. The unhappiness of a family and the distance between Mrs. and Mr. Das is not by any means an invitation. Even if the alternative seems hold potential for happiness, Mr. Kapasi assumed with his little mind that she was a good idea.