Interpreter Of Maladies

808 Words4 Pages
The ability to communicate effectively is essential to the success of any relationship. Effective communication allows an individual to share and express their ideas, concerns and show support. Whether it’s between family members or complete strangers, communication is a major factor in developing perceptions of other people and creating relationships with them. In the book Interpreter of Maladies, author Jhumpa Lahiri, uses miscommunication between the characters to emphasize how a consistent lack of communication can negatively influence relationships, lead people to regret decisions they have made, and alter one’s personal perception of another individual. In the third section of Interpreter of Maladies, The Das family is introduced. Mr.…show more content…
Kapasi’s perception of the family. By using this point of view, the extent of reader’s knowledge of the Das family is limited and the disconnection between Mr. Kapasi and the Das family is emphasized. As an Indian native, Mr. Kapasi observes the American Indian family and notices many contrasting differences and similarities between the two cultures. The Das family may look Indian, but they are and behave American. There is a cultural clash through communication from the very first instance The Das family and Mr. Kapasi meet. Mr. Kapasi greets the family with an Indian gesture of respect by pressing his palms together. Mr. Das replies with an American handshake, while Mrs. Das half smiles. Mr. Kapasi also immediately notices how The Das family lacks to ability to communicate clearly with one another. Mr. and Mrs. Das fight over trivial matters such as who should take their daughter to the bathroom and their children do not listen to them. Mr. Kapasi finds very odd when Mr. Das refers to Mrs. Das by her first name to their children, because in India parents are to be treated with complete respect. Mrs. Das hides behind her sunglasses while her husband buries his nose inside the tour booklet. These instances allow Mr. Kapasi to form his first opinion of the…show more content…
The Das family's experience of India is an example of failed intercultural communication. Mrs. Das, inclusive of American culture, seems bored and lacks curiosity of the Indian culture “Mrs. Das gave an impatient sigh, as if she had been travelling her whole life without a pause” (Lahiri, 47). She remains quiet, only breaking silence to complain. Mr. Kapasi automatically judges her silence and complaining as a sign of disinterest in not only the tour, but also her family. On the other hand, it is obvious Mr. Das is very enthusiastic about the trip. He converses with Mr. Kapasi about his life in New Jersey and is constantly taking photos of the Indian culture. While Mrs. Das shows no interest at all, Mr. Das shows too much interest in the wrong aspects of the Indian Culture. Mr. Ads’ camera symbolizes the miscommunication between both the Indian and American cultures, the Das family and the inability to see the realities of his marriage. Mr. Das’ curiosity of the culture revolves around the exoticism of the people and places in India. He uses his nice camera to photograph things like an Indian homeless man who is emancipated, barefoot and whose head wrapped

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