Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Interpreter of Maladies

I accidentally read the "Interpreter of Maladies" earlier in the year. I liked it then but after discussing it in class I like it even more. In our class discussion some people didn't like this short excerpt because it didn't have a typical, matter of fact, point. This was really interesting because I usually hate stories that feel that way to me; obviously this was somehow different. I liked her excitement with finding all of the Christian artifacts. I think this could be because it's totally something I would do. If I moved into a house and kept finding all kinds of Hindu paraphernalia I would act very similar to the way Twinkle does. So I guess maybe this becomes the point of the story for me.
When it comes to what the title "Interpreter of Maladies" means, I think taking the author's experience into account is very important. Her run in with her friend gives her the idea for the title. I don't really understand how that can't mean something. However, I don't think it relates solely to her being the interpreter of the experiences she speaks of. I think she sort of guides the reader through a story and then lets the reader interpret the meaning himself. She never actually says what the impact of any ones feelings are on their lives. In other words, she lets us know how both Twinkle and Sanjeev feel and their different reactions, but she doesn't tell us who's reactions are right or who's are wrong.

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