PUB3: Interpreting the Views from Lahiri

 Interpreting the Views from Lahiri

The Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri can be considered a postmodern work due to its fragmented structure, use of intertextuality, and focus on the complexities of the human condition. In this story, Interpreter of Maladies, the author was able to write how complicated human emotions which can be often misinterpreted by others, through the shoes of Mr. Kapasi, who can be considered the main protagonist of this short story.  

One example of a character flaw in the story is Mrs. Das's resentment towards her children, which stems from her dissatisfaction with her life and marriage. This flaw is reflective of the larger theme of dissatisfaction and disillusionment in postmodern literature, where characters often struggle to find meaning and purpose in their lives. This flaw is also relevant to our present-day culture, where social media and societal pressures often contribute to feelings of inadequacy and unfulfillment. Stated by Mrs. Das herself “I feel terrible looking at my children, and at Raj, always terrible, I have terrible urges, Mr. Kapasi,” (Lahiri, 27), Implying that, what she truly feels is regret, which Mr. Kapasi suggested that she should be honest about her feelings towards her family. 

As for Mr. Kapasi, his character flaw is his own guilt over his past mistakes, which reflects the theme of moral ambiguity and ethical dilemmas in postmodern literature. Mr. Kapasi's guilt is a result of his failure to live up to his own expectations and his desire to make amends for his past actions. In the short story, it was revealed that “Mr. Kapasi knew that his wife had little regard for his career as an interpreter. He knew it reminded her of the son she’d lost, and that she resented the other lives he helped, in his own small way, to save.” (Lahiri, 19) This flaw can also be seen in our present-day culture, where people often struggle with feelings of guilt and regret over their past mistakes. 

In the real-world example of people wanting to atone, the Japanese organized crime group, known as Yakuza, tends to be notorious as they are often avoided by the society of Japan; however, lately their numbers have dwindled, and some Yakuza that have retired have even started a legitimate business. During the Japanese Tohoku earthquake in 2011, the Yakuza group supplied relief for the victims of the earthquake, with the supply costing about $500,000, showing that despite being an organized crime syndicate, it is highly likely that some of them want to clean themselves from the maladies they have. 

The postmodern elements in The Interpreter of Maladies allow readers to view the characters and their experiences from different perspectives, highlighting the complexity of human behavior and relationships. With her stories, Lahiri invites readers to engage with the ambiguities and uncertainties of life and to consider the multiple interpretations and meanings that can be derived from a single experience. 

  

Overall, The Interpreter of Maladies is a postmodern work that explores the complex nature of humanity through the lens of the characters featured in the story. The flaws and struggles of the characters in the collection reflect the larger themes of postmodern literature, and their experiences remain relevant to our present-day culture and life.