Understanding the Irony and Meaning in Interpreter

Lahiri uses third-person limited POV in Interpreter of Maladies to highlight irony and miscommunication through Mr. Kapasi’s view, revealing emotional distance and hidden truths in relationships.

Alice Edwards
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Giavanna Vitali
AP Literature
5/17.-23
In the "Interpreter of Maladies' 1 Jhumpa Lahiris point of view helps contribute to the
story’s irony and meaning. Through a third person point of view told by a single narrator, this
allows the readers to see the world through Mr. Kapsi perspective. Through this the author helps
create irony, which highlights the characters contrasting beliefs and expectations. Lahiri gives
commentary on the complex of human relationships. The readers are allowed to look at the
bigger picture of the story and figure out each character.
The author uses third person point of view to show Mr. Kapasis emotions and thoughts
inside his mind, showing us into his perspective. The narrator’s voice is disconnected, which
shows an objective for events while allowing to understand Mr. Kapasi confusion. When Kapasi
is first introduced to Mrs. Das Lahin says he is, "amused by the irony", that he should be taking
the Das family to the Sun Temple which is where they will find spiritual healing. This contrast
between Mr. Kapasi's job and the situation in which he finds himself to draw the Eton's theme of
communication.
Irony is shown through the contrast between the characters and what happens, this
contrast is obvious in the character of Mrs. Das. Mrs. Das presents herself as the "mother of three
and wife to a successful executive" but is soon to be an emotionally unconnected person. The
irony of Mrs. Das character is shown through Mr. Kapasi perspective and showing the contrast
between her public front and her struggles. When Mrs. Das shows that her son Bobby's sickness
is the result of her being unfaithful. Mr. Kapasi shows that she appears to be looking for
"absolution" from him. This piece brings to light the contrast between Mrs. Das public vs Mrs.
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Subject
Advanced Placement

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