Interpreter of Maladies – By Jhumpa Lahiri - Short story - Summary

 

  Interpreter of Maladies – By Jhumpa Lahiri

(SUMMARY)

        "Interpreter of Maladies" is a short story, written by Jhumpa Lahiri. She is an Indian American author.  The story takes place during a tour of a family to the Sun Temple, Konark, Orissa. The story begins at a Tea Stall, Puri, Orissa and covers the incidents of a day until the family returns to their hotel.

     The important characters in this story are Mr. Kapasi, Mr. Das, his wife Mrs.Das, and  their three children. Mr. Kapasi is a middle aged person. He is a tour guide. He also works as an interpreter of patients' diseases in a hospital.

Mr. Das and Mrs. Das are Indian Americans. They come to visit the Sun Temple at Konark, Orissa, along with their children - Ronny, Bobby, and Tina. The story brings out the selfishness and childish behaviour of Mr. and Mrs. Das.

 Mr. Das spends time by taking photographs or reading a book. His wife Mrs. Mina Das is interested in fashion and eating for herself. She always paints her nails. They don't take care of their children. Mrs. Das finds Mr. Kapasi’s other job as interpreter of maladies is very interesting. Further, her close talk and movements take Mr. Kapasi into a romantic imagination. She takes his address to send photographs. 

When Mr. Das and the children went out for sightseeing, Mrs. Das sits in the car and reveals a secret to Mr. Kapasi. She says that the second son Bobby is born out of an illegal relationship with a friend of Mr. Das. She further asks Mr. Kapasi to interpret her feelings. This revelation shocks Mr. Kapasi. He asks Mrs. Das whether she was really feeling guilty about this. She becomes silent and comes out of the car. 

Suddenly a group of monkeys surround Bobby and start beating him. Then Mr. Kapasi rescues the boy. All the family members now surround Bobby and shower their care and concern. This family picture looks perfect to Mr. Kapasi. He feels that he can preserve this picture forever. Thus the title is justified because Mrs. Das confides her secret to Mr. kapasi who acts as the interpreter of diseases.

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NOOJILLA SRINIVAS, Lecturer in English, 

Govt Degree College, Alamuru, Andhra Pradesh, India

Ph: 7981862200; email: noojillasrinivas@gmail.com 

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