The Setting in Jhumpa Lahiri’s Short Story a Temporary Matter

Introduction

In "A Temporary Matter," Jhumpa Lahiri creates an apartment that lives through the past actions and current stagnation of its inhabitants. Whether by Shoba's "endless sealed pyramids" of now-eaten leftovers or the "lace she had once planned to turn into curtains," the setting teems with reminders of busier, hopeful days bygone. The present is more defined by inaction, a lack of apparent action; instead of working, Shukumar reads a novel that we know nothing of, and while Shoba takes on more and more overtime, that money goes nowhere that Shukumar can see. This stagnation reflects their emotional distance and inability to communicate effectively.

The Dominance of Shoba's Presence

The apartment is overwhelmingly defined by Shoba's actions, not Shukumar's; the way she takes off her satchel and shoes, the way she pays bills, the way she cooks. To that end, he might as well be living in her world. Much of the story comes from his memory and reflection, which all lend awareness that the house is distinctly Shoba's. With that awareness and stagnation comes unwillingness to change, even though the apartment has been staged as a transitionary "elsewhere" which even Shoba now treats "as if it were a hotel" (Lahiri, 1999, p. 14). The lack of personal investment in their shared space symbolizes the emotional detachment between the couple.

The Impact of Darkness

Something changes when the lights go off. A world that seems to float in backward- and forward-reaching timelessness in the light goes dark at precisely eight o'clock. Shukumar and Shoba now feel they can, maybe must, talk to each other as they never do otherwise but as a couple is "supposed to do." Thus the nightly ritual is grounded in time and social tradition. This couples with the change in scenery to add tension to their nights, as the conditions of the setting build tension even without direct and bombastic conflict. The darkness becomes a catalyst for revealing hidden truths and unspoken emotions, forcing them to confront their reality.

Conclusion

The apartment in Jhumpa Lahiri's "A Temporary Matter" serves as a poignant backdrop that encapsulates the couple's past hopes and present stagnation. Through the lens of Shoba's dominance and the transformative power of darkness, Lahiri explores themes of communication, emotional distance, and the struggle for connection. The setting, both in light and darkness, becomes a silent witness to their unraveling relationship, echoing the unspoken tensions and the possibility of change.

References

Lahiri, J. (1999). A Temporary Matter. In Interpreter of Maladies (pp. 12-25). Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.