Jhumpa Lahiri, through her short story The Interpreter of Maladies, displays the venom of romanticism and how one weak moment leads to a path of destruction. The story shadows a typical American family of five, travelling the world. On their journey, they meet Mr. Kapasi, the primary protagonist of the story. The majority of the events that take place are told through the eyes of Mr. Kapasi, as he develops a longing for another’s wife, Mrs. Das. Mrs. Das also falls prey to her intimate self as she exploits Mr. Kapasi for the wrong reasons. Both characters misunderstand each other, as well as their surroundings, which leads to their somewhat tragic parting. The desire for intimacy and closeness destroys both Mr. Kapasi and Mrs. Das as they refuse to acknowledge the facts that are put before them. When Lahiri first introduces the characters to the reader, specifically when Mr. Kapasi first sees Mrs. Das, there is immediate hope in Mr. Kapasi’s eyes. “Mr. Kapasi watched as Mrs. Das emerged…dragging her shaved, largely bare legs across the back seat” (Lahiri 12). An
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Kapasi risks his own and life and Mrs. Das’s life by falling into the trap of romanticism. Much like people today, the mere chance of love made him do crazy, and in this case sinful things. People in modern society jump at any chance for love, even going as far as humiliating themselves, much like Mr. Kapasi. Once he questions Mrs. Das about her true feelings, he realizes “at that moment that he was not even important enough to be properly insulted” (28). Mrs. Das only hurts the situation through her inappropriate revelations to Mr. Kapasi. Knowing full well that Mr. Kapasi is a stranger, she should refrain from telling him personal stories, unless she is expecting something from him in return, which turns out to be a “cure.” This attention causes Mr. Kapasi to think that some sort of connection exists between the two, but unfortunately for him, any connection between them is only in his
Kapasi risks his own and life and Mrs. Das’s life by falling into the trap of romanticism. Much like people today, the mere chance of love made him do crazy, and in this case sinful things. People in modern society jump at any chance for love, even going as far as humiliating themselves, much like Mr. Kapasi. Once he questions Mrs. Das about her true feelings, he realizes “at that moment that he was not even important enough to be properly insulted” (28). Mrs. Das only hurts the situation through her inappropriate revelations to Mr. Kapasi. Knowing full well that Mr. Kapasi is a stranger, she should refrain from telling him personal stories, unless she is expecting something from him in return, which turns out to be a “cure.” This attention causes Mr. Kapasi to think that some sort of connection exists between the two, but unfortunately for him, any connection between them is only in his