Interpretor of Maladies

Jhumpa Lahiri's choice of title is very expressive of that which she is trying to portray through her short stories. In reference to "Maladies", she is most likely discussing the issues and circumstances surrounding the Indian-American experience, as she revealed. But what makes the choice of the word 'maladies' so interesting is the obscure way it can be interpreted in comparison to similar words such as 'problems', 'ailments' or 'issues'. It is possible that Lahiri is not only interpreting life situations within the Indian-American experience, but also interpreting the way in which an issue may be represented. What does it mean to be Indian? American? Indian-American? It is this question of interconnected identity that is discussed and brought forth in her stories.

Lahiri question of the human experience and identity is a broad and complex issue that is difficult to tackle. Yet through her creative prose she manages to deliver an answer, or at least an examination, to this issue. I believe her story, "This Blessed House" is certainly an depiction of the human experience. It happens around the world; man and woman marry, move, and live on their own. This is an often common human experience that is made even more difficult by having to blend two cultures simultaneously. In Sanjeevs eyes, twinkle blends too much. It is possible that in Twinkle's eyes, Sanjeev doesnt blend enough. For example when Twinkle finds a tiny porcelain effigy of Christ, Sanjeev instructs her to, "Check the expiration. And at the very least get rid of that idiotic statue." (136) It appears that Sanjeev fails to realize that he lives in a melting pot community; one in which in order to have peace, respect for other cultures and religions is a necesary part of daily life. It is in this issue that Twinkle pften contradicts him. For example, "She planted a kiss on top of Christs head, then placed the statue on top of the fireplace mantle..."(137)Twinkle, however, seems to lose her identity as a Hindu in being so adamant the effigy of Christ. To Sanjeev, it appears that she is losing her roots in a community where they are outnumbered. This question of blending makes their new marital and living situation change all the more difficult. Tis issue that Sanjeev and Twinkle are facing with one another is Lahiri's examination of a maladie (malady?) that is troubling an Indian-American couple.

This issue of blending and balancing, which in essence is what Twinkle and Sanjeev are tryign to do, is part of the story that Lahiri is trying to tell about the Indian-American experience. I believe that both characters, especially Sanjeev, are struggling with identity issues. Twinkle seems to be drawn to the Christian relics and statues, that obviously are not symbolic of Hinduism. Whereas Sanjeev is bothered and agitated by Twinkle's actions. He seems to be struggling with maintaining his Hindu identity where it is a minority. But he is also not open in a way that would help his transition as an Indian-American.

This is a Time Magazine cover page that was adressing an article about Indians coming to America. I thought this was an interesting picture, that sort of documented the Indian-American eperience.