Interpreter Of Maladies

Everyone marries the wrong person. During marriage, everyone second guesses who they marry, and when the going gets tough, it truly exposes how strong, and meaningful the relationship is. The narrator in the “The Third and Final Continent” is able to communicate, understand, and adapt to his wife, while Mina Das in “The Interpreter of the Maladies” seems to express these vital traits, but under the surface it doesn't seem to be the case.

The narrator, in “The Third and Final Continent” demonstrates sympathy, care, and compassion towards his wife, Mala. He demonstrates this by constantly being with her, and not only being with her, but wanting to be with her, even when it's hard. He also demonstrates this by talking with her, and showing his

Das in “The Interpreter of the Maladies” is not able to create a life for herself. At the very beginning of the story, “Mr. and Mrs. Das bickered about who should take Tina to the toilet” (Pg. 43). This little action at the beginning of the story, is a little inkling to their weak relationship. They both clearly have bad communication from the start, considering they both are arguing about who should take their own child to the bathroom. Not being able to do a simple task for your kid doesn't show care. This is an obvious scene that demonstrates both of them not caring for their family, and each other. Throughout the story their are several more instances where she is not demonstrating vital relationship characteristics. For example, when getting on the bus she asks “How longs the trip, she asked shutting the door. “About 2 and a half hours” Mr. Kaspi replied” at this Mrs. Das gave an impatient sigh” (pg. 47). Mr. Das is just trying to benefit the family by taking them on a family vacation to India. Her “impatient sigh” shows how she clearly doesn't want to be there, which is lacking almost every aspect of a strong relationship. If she didn't want to be their, then first she should have communicated that towards Mr. Das, and not wanting to be their with her family and husband certainly lacks compassion, and care. Not to mention she makes it very clear that she doesn't want to be there which is very rude and obnoxious, considering it was an attempt to make her and her family happy. Also, when Mrs. Das is painting her nails on the tour (Also showing her disinterest towards the trip), The little girl stuck out her hand “Mine too. Mommy do mine too” “Leave me alone”. Mrs. Das said while blowing on her nail, and turning her body slightly (pg. 48). First, she clearly doesn't want to be there, because right when she turns her body, it represents how disconnected she is from