Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri

How does Jhumpa Lahiri use the minor action and subtle details to express the unmet needs of the characters?

I think this story has a lot to do with symbolism and depictions. There are various minor actions and subtle details that express the unmet needs of the characters. Tina’s way of handling her doll shows that Tina lacks the opportunity to show her emotions and speak out her mind. In the story, we are able to find out that the doll’s hair was cut short, just like Mrs. Das. I think Tina lacks the love that she needs from her mother therefore she replaces her mother with the doll. The overall impatient and snobby attitude and actions of Mrs. Das tells the reader what is going on in her life. Mrs. Das’s life lacks the adventure and youthfulness that she wants so she shows her discontent through her actions, which eventually became her personality. I think she is quite young to be tied down by her kids therefore she needs occasional freedom. At the beginning of the story, it says that Mrs. Das was wearing her sunglasses. However, when she started talking to Mr. Kapasi, she takes her sunglasses off. This shows that Mrs. Das has a need of attention. By her taking off her sunglasses, it shows that she feels the necessity of opening up to others to get the attention she needs as herself. Not as a mother or the wife of Mr. Das. Lastly, Mr. Kapasi’s unconscious action of staring at the naked bodies in the temple show that he has unmet needs within his personal relationships. I assumed that it wasn’t the first time for Mr. Kapasi to be seeing the naked bodies or to be thinking of the unaffectionate relationship he has for his wife. He needs love and attention, but that need is unmet.