Do Lahiri’s stories only represent Indian experience or reflect other culture.
Some experiences are relevant to all human beings regardless of Indian non Indian, migrants, race, religion or culture. This idea is explored in Jumpha Lahiri's collection of short stories, Interpreter of Maladies. Although most of Lahiri's stories deal with the experiences of migrants, many of her themes are universal and therefore relevant to everyone.
One of the common experiences that she focuses on is the nature of relationships. She suggests that without honest and open communication, relationships and marriages will falter. For example in the story, A temporary matter, we observe the failing relationship between husband and wife. After the death of their child, they “eat separately” and were hardly home at the same time. Their relationship especially suffers because they are not open to each other about their intentions. Shukuma feels deceived when he realizes Shoba was using “the game” to gently break the news that she is leaving him. Therefore, Lahiri suggest couples need to be open with one another and maintain communication for a healthy relationship. The advice is relevant not only to migrants but all who are in relationship.
Another themes Lahiri frequently deals with is the migrant experience, When Mr. Pirzada come to dine hints at universal themes such as the effect of war, supporting one another through difficulties, and the pain of being separated from loved ones. Mr. Pirzada is a professor who has left his family behind in a war torn country and moved to the USA. He suffers alienation till he meets Lilia’s family who become a sort of substitute family for him. This can be seen considering that Mr. Pirzada comes to dine every night, plays games and watches the news with Lilia’s parents. It’s is also clear Mr. Pirzada is genuinely concerned for Lilia when he insists on accompanying her whilst trick treating. The fact Mr. Pirzada is still attached to his homeland is...