In Lahiri’s short stories I found it interesting that she blends culture with identity. I really enjoy learning about both culture AND identity, so I REALLY enjoyed these stories. Something that Maegan had said in her blog was “It seems to relate to my life somehow but I can’t really explain it. I somehow connected with these stories”. I found this to also be true. Even though I am not Indian and I have no Indian heritage I can definitely relate with the people in Lahiri’s short stories because in each of them the characters go through some kind of ordeal. They change, they grow, and they learn. We do those things in everyday life as well. Maybe I didn’t live in three different continents like one of the characters in the story, but I can relate to moving somewhere far from home and not knowing anyone and having to live with strangers. I too grew fond of some of these people that I had never known before. Similarly, I can relate to not having any money and having to work my way up from the bottom. These situations happen in life. I enjoyed, however, how she intertwined Indian culture into her stories. She made sure to describe Mala and how she dressed and how she acted. The reader can get a real feel for how she was and how it was for her and her husband when they were first married.
On another note, I didn’t speak up in class since this might have confirmed Heather’s accusations towards me of having my own sex diaries (I totally don’t even though I don’t think it’s weird AT ALL. Haha). But, I’m just saying…seizures can be caused by stress right? So, couldn’t it be that by having sex Bibi relieved the stress that was causing these seizures? It’s a possibility. Also, I’m not so sure that it was her cousin that raped her. She never said it was a rape. Although this is a possibility and she could just be keeping quiet out of shame I don’t think that’s what happened. I have a feeling it was consensual. She wanted to have someone. I don’t think she cared at what price that would cost. But who knows! Maegan says, “all she needed was a person to love her or for her to take care of”. This seemed to be the most popular idea, but I’m going my own unique idea.
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I couldn't agree more about your points on the blending of culture and identity in Lahiri’s short stories. I enjoyed this stories alot, and even though I am not Indian or know much about Indian culture I could still enjoy the stories and have emotional connections with the characters. Just as you said, even though they live in a different world than us we can still relate to the troubles they go through. I may not have moved to my hometown from another country, but I have experienced how hard it is to be at a new place- I think every college freshman can identify with that. ( I think we can all identify with a restricted diet of just cornflakes too...only mine is more top ramen than cornflakes!)
ReplyDeleteWe didn't discuss much about who we thought Bibi got pregnant from-but I would lean toward rape.
LOL Amy!! That's why you didn't speak up?! haha As far as Bibi goes, I think it could definitely go both ways. She wouldn't say anything if it was consensual because she would have really been looked down on. However, by leaving people wondering and ASSUMING she was raped, they felt bad for her and said she was disgraced, and then helped her with the baby, helped her support the baby by buying from her. That probably wouldn't have happened had she confessed to consensual sex.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean, as far as relating to the characters in the stories, and I think that would be what Lahiri would have wanted. They seem to have a quality about them that, while showing us the culture and tradition of another country, also shows us that we have similar experiences as well. We all have struggles and trials, and we all deal with them differently, but we can also relate to them in many ways.
Good post Amy - and although I think that it was the cousin's kid, I didn't think rape. FWIW.
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