Unhappy Relationships in Lahiri's Interpreter of Maladies

Jhumpa Lahiri’s Interpreter of Maladies delves into the tension between appearances and reality, where characters often create façades to escape the truths of their unhappy lives. Across stories such as “This Blessed House,” “Interpreter of Maladies,” and “A Temporary Matter,” Lahiri employs powerful symbols to highlight the layers of pretense that her characters construct—not just for those around them, but also for themselves. This inability to reconcile appearances with reality forms the core of their unhappiness. Lahiri’s portrayal of these struggles provides an intricate examination of human relationships and the delicate balance required to maintain them.

The Clash Between Individuality and Expectations in “This Blessed House”

In “This Blessed House,” Twinkle is depicted as a vivacious and carefree character, exuding charm, humor, and intelligence. However, her husband, Sanjeev, fails to appreciate her unique qualities, focusing instead on his rigid expectations of what a wife should be. Sanjeev’s obsession with appearances dictates his every interaction, from his frustration over Twinkle’s height in heels to his disdain for the Christian paraphernalia they discover in their new home. These items become a potent symbol of the couple’s differences. For Twinkle, they are playful and mysterious, offering a sense of excitement and curiosity. For Sanjeev, they represent a threat to the traditional image he is desperate to uphold:

“All the neighbors will see. They’ll think we’re insane…We’re not Christian” (Lahiri, 1999, p. 146).

This fear of judgment drives Sanjeev to dismiss Twinkle’s perspective, further straining their relationship. Ironically, Twinkle, who cares little for societal expectations, emerges as the most compelling and likable character. Sanjeev’s eventual willingness to compromise—symbolized by his acceptance of the Virgin Mary statue on the lawn—provides a glimpse of hope. By beginning to let go of his rigid ideals, Sanjeev opens the door to appreciating Twinkle’s individuality, suggesting the potential for a more authentic and fulfilling connection.

The Pursuit of Perfection in “Interpreter of Maladies”

In “Interpreter of Maladies,” Lahiri shifts focus to a family caught in the web of superficial appearances. Mr. Das is preoccupied with capturing idealized moments through his camera, using it as a shield against the reality of his dysfunctional family. The camera becomes a symbol of his denial, projecting a fictional narrative of happiness while masking the deep fractures in their relationships. Mrs. Das, equally invested in appearances, displays a similar detachment. Her inattentiveness to her children is evident when she dismisses Bobby’s trauma after he is attacked by monkeys:

“He’s fine. Just a little scared, right, Bobby?” (Lahiri, 1999, p. 68).

Instead of addressing Bobby’s emotional and physical pain, she prioritizes his outward appearance, hurriedly fixing his hair and covering his cut. This superficial response underscores her inability to engage with the emotional realities of her family. The couple’s lack of genuine connection is apparent to Mr. Kapasi, who observes that they resemble siblings more than husband and wife. Lahiri uses these characters to critique the emptiness that stems from prioritizing surface-level perfection over meaningful interaction.

Light and Darkness: Symbols in “A Temporary Matter”

In “A Temporary Matter,” Lahiri explores the other extreme—a relationship defined by neglect of appearances. Shoba and Shukumar, once a vibrant couple, have allowed their grief and disconnection to erode their bond. Shoba’s disheveled appearance and Shukumar’s neglect of personal hygiene mirror their emotional disengagement. When a power outage plunges them into darkness, it creates a symbolic escape from the harsh truths illuminated by the light. In the darkness, the couple can momentarily avoid confronting their fractured relationship. This duality is central to their dynamic:

“Looking, at thirty-three, like the type of woman she’d once claimed she would never resemble” (Lahiri, 1999, p. 1).

The contrast between light and darkness highlights their inability to face their reality. For Shoba and Shukumar, the darkness offers solace, but it is a temporary reprieve rather than a solution. Ultimately, their neglect of both physical appearances and emotional truths leads to the same dissatisfaction experienced by the other couples, reinforcing Lahiri’s theme that balance is essential in relationships.

The Balance Between Appearance and Reality

Across these stories, Lahiri examines the consequences of imbalance—whether it is an obsessive focus on appearances, as seen with Sanjeev and the Das family, or a complete disregard for them, as with Shoba and Shukumar. The characters’ struggles reveal that neither extreme leads to happiness. Instead, Lahiri suggests that successful relationships require a delicate equilibrium between maintaining appearances and confronting reality. “This Blessed House” offers a glimmer of hope, as Sanjeev begins to embrace this balance by acknowledging Twinkle’s uniqueness and rejecting his rigid expectations.

Lahiri’s exploration of these themes underscores a universal truth: the façades we construct, whether to please others or to shield ourselves, often hinder genuine connection. By demonstrating the necessity of balance, Lahiri provides a nuanced perspective on the complexities of human relationships, urging readers to reflect on their own dynamics and the roles that appearances and honesty play in their lives.

References

• Lahiri, J. (1999). Interpreter of Maladies. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.