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Unit 9: Jhumpa Lahiri’s Interpreter of Maladies: Discussion on all Important Spheres of the Text Questions

9.7 Summary Notes

• Lahiri’s Indian heritage forms the basis for her short stories; stories in which she deals with
questions of identity, alienation and the plight of those who are culturally displaced. She vividly
shows the estrangement and isolation that often afflict first- and even second-generation
immigrants. Although the immigrant experience is central to her work, it is not her exclusive
concern: in the title story, she suggests, through her characters, that there are ‘maladies’ that
trouble all of us. This contributes to our understanding of other people and of ourselves.
• As the short story genre uses a wide variety of plot types, several strategies must be employed
to gain an overall picture of how different stories are connected. Although each of Lahiri’s
stories has its own self-contained plot and characters, they are linked in ways that bind the
collection together as a complete entity.
• The modern short story is often concerned with making an emotional impact. Writers like Lahiri
do not always observe the traditional elements of narrative fiction, such as the inclusion of an
introduction, rising action, a climax, falling action and an ending that ties the work together.
Her work often features subtle endings that are left open to interpretation, such as that of ‘A
• Temporary Matter’, which has two possible resolutions (see ‘Different Interpretations’ in
section 9.3). A short story should be able to be read in a single sitting. This gives the piece unity
by focusing on one isolated incident in the life of a character, or on one character’s relationship
with another or others. An atmosphere is created in which the characters live and function and
this, in turn, evokes an emotional response from the reader. The action is an important element
of the short story. Something must happen, no matter how small. There must also be a narrative
of some kind. However, this narrative is not generally as rigidly structured as a novel would be.
Successful short stories usually contain several particular features. Unlike the longer novel form,
they must contain an idea that can be worked through within a restricted word limit. Although
this does not allow for the creation of an extended psychological study of a character, let alone
a number of characters, it is surprising how much information can be conveyed to readers
about a character by using deft short phrases instead of extended description.
• The short story’s internal structure determines the significance of both its technical and artistic
elements, such as themes, symbols and images. The introduction must immediately draw the
reader in and pique their interest by establishing the emotional tone of the narrative, setting the
scene, creating the atmosphere and locating the characters in a specific time and place. One of
the most prominent features of Lahiri’s stories is her short, to the point opening sentences,
which immediately introduce information that is crucial to the rest of the narrative. Take the
opening to ‘A Temporary Matter’, for example – ‘The notice informed them that it was a
temporary matter’ (p.1). While this immediately prompts the question of what this ‘temporary
matter is – in this case, the electricity being cut off – it also clues us into the wider issue of the
estrangement that exists between the married couple Shoba and Shukumar.
• The body of the story is where the ‘plot’ of the story unfolds. Short stories require an organising
principle; for example, all of Lahiri’s characters are Indian, or of Indian extraction, and thus
share similar concerns and values.
• Many of Lahiri’s plot lines seem trivial, such as the story ‘This Blessed House’, about Twinkle’s
preoccupation with the Christian artefacts left behind by their house’s previous owners – an
interest which her husband Sanjeev finds annoying. More important, though, is the way that
the discovery of each relic sheds new light on the marriage of these seemingly incompatible
characters. A deft development of character and plot is central to the short story, and is focused
on the conflict around which the story is based. This conflict could be between characters, between
characters and their society, or within the psyche of the main character. ‘Mrs Sen’s’, for example,
concerns an Indian woman who is unable to assimilate into her adopted country, in contrast to
her more socially adept husband. Her friendship with an American boy becomes an opportunity
for each to experience the other’s alternative culture.
• The climax results from the convergence of the separate elements in the story, and the ending
generally comes from the falling action after the climax.

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