Identity Unit Blog 1

Interpreter of Maladies
Jhumpa Lahiri

As I read the short story, Interpreter of Maladies, I noticed Lahiri's use of the literary technique of characterization. There were several points throughout the story where Lahiri revealed a great deal about the characters which really helped me to understand the background of the story a little better. When the Das family had first arrived, the characterization was revealed in the form of Mr. Das's clothing. "He had a sapphire blue visor, and was dressed in shorts, sneakers, and a T-shirt. The camera slung around his neck, with an impressive telephoto lens and numerous buttons and markings, was the only complicated thing he wore"(Lahiri, 148). This way in which Lahiri uses characterization reveals that Mr. Das seems to come off as the typical tourist. After reading this description of Mr. Das, I was able to picture what I thought he would look like. By describing the clothing that Mr. Das was wearing, Lahiri was able to utilize characterization in an effective way. Lahiri describes Mrs. Das's appearance as well, which reveals a great deal about her character also. Mr. Kapasi is also described in what he is wearing. Lahiri proves that through the revealing of something as menial as clothing can contribute a great deal to characterization in a story.