Blog #3

The Interpreter of Maladies exemplifies a work of post modernism in many ways. One of the main characteristics of post modernism is only thinking about one self. Mrs. Das is self-absorbed and indifferent to her children and husband. She did not share her food with her children, was reluctant to take her daughter to the bathroom, and dismisses her daughter when she asks to have her nails painted. ”Eventually Mrs. Das relented when Mr. Das pointed out that he had given the girl her bath the night before....She did not hold the little girl's hand as they walked to the rest room” (Interpreter of Maladies 43). Instead of tending to her children, she spent most of the time talking to Mr. Kapasi. 

Mrs. Das and Mr. Kapasi are both unhappy in their lives. They both use each other by romanticizing each other in different ways to create alternate worlds to escape reality. Before being married, Mr. Kapasi dreamt of being an interpreter for diplomats and diplomats. After his son became ill and died he had to keep this job to pay the bills. Mr. Kapasi sees his life as a failure and longs for something more. In an effort to lift himself out from his day to day, monotonous grind, he creates a fantasy. The fantasy begins when Mrs. Das deems his job “romantic” and a big responsibility. She changes his feelings of being ordinary to something much more. Mr. Kapasi interprets Mrs. Das’s comments and actions as slightly flirtatious. He completely misconstrues Mrs. Das’ actions and develops a far-fetched illusion about him and Mrs. Das having a deep rooted friendship and saving him from his loveless marriage. Mr. Kapasi’s other job enables him to understand the pain and give correct treatment for patients through his interpretation. Mrs. Das looks at Mr. Kapasi as a way to “cure” her pain and to seek absolution for her adultery. "It means that I'm tired of feeling so terrible all the time. Eight years, Mr. Kapasi, I've been in pain eight years. I was hoping you could help me feel better, say the right thing. Suggest some kind of remedy"(Interpreter of Maladies 65). She thinks that by confiding in him she will gain forgiveness and consolation. 

Both parties look at the situation to better themselves, neither take it for what it really is. Mr. Kapasi was not a doctor he could not cure Mrs. Das’ feelings of pain. Reality is she was not happy in her marriage and Mr. Kapasi was not going to fix that problem. He was a tour guide and an interpreter, that was all. Instead of facing the misery and guilt she has she hides behind it. When Mr. Kapasi asks Mrs. Das, "Is it really pain you feel, Mrs. Das, or is it guilt?"(Interpreter of Maladies 66), she leaves the car and joins her family. She realizes she is not going to get what she wants from him. As she walks to her family she spills a trail of food behind her causing the monkeys to follow and end up attacking her son. Mr. Kapasi even warned her earlier about the monkeys. "They are more hungry than dangerous, Do not provoke them with food, and they will not bother you" (Interpreter of Maladies 61). She does not really care about her family, if she did she would not be so careless. Through her selfish characterization you can see that Mrs. Das just uses people and things to better herself. Mr. Kapasi was not selfish like Mrs. Das. He just wants to be happy and thought that a friendship with her might just alleviate some of his unhappiness. After Mrs. Das’ confession though his fantasy crumbles and disappears. His way of looking at her completely changes and he no longer looks at her as his savior in a way but accepts the person she is and lets go of his fantasy. Mrs. Das’ though will not accept the fact he cannot help her. She moves on just waiting for the next person she thinks that will help alleviate her pain. Instead of just dealing with her life and speaking to her husband about her pain and unhappiness.