Weblog Entry 9

In a story about the Das Family and their taxi driver while on vacation, do you believe Jhumpa Lahiri constructed a hopeful story? Or otherwise?

Although there is no wrong or right answer to this response, I think Lahiri has constructed a story that is the opposite of being hopeful. Since Mrs. Das was the main cause of the important problems stated in the story I think she is responsible for the unhopeful story and its negative ending. Firstly, Mrs. Das’s dark intention of befriending Mr. Kapasi and her true personality is relieved. Before Mrs. Das requests Mr. Kapasi for a remedy to her malady, she acts in a friendly manner towards him, and all along, I think she was interested in Mr. Kapasi for her own benefit. When Mr. Kapasi finally gives his words of wisdom, “She opened her mouth to say something but as she glared at Mr. Kapasi sine certain knowledge seemed to pass before her eyes, and she stopped.”. At this point, it shows that Mrs. Das is showing her disappointment to his remedy because it is an answer that she did not want. This indicates that she has not learned her lesson yet because she is unwilling to accept the truth but wants to be comforted about her actions, which does not deserve it. When the Das family becomes aware that Bobby has gone missing, no one but Mrs. Das seems to care. Mr. Das says and asks “I don’t know. Ronny, where’s Bobby?”. This line tells me that Mr. Das doesn’t care about where his son may be and passes on the responsibility to his young Ronny. Mrs. Das states “God, let’s get out of here,” and “This place gives me the creeps.” It indicates the place never set a good impression on her. Lastly, when it says “Mr. Kapasi’s address on it fluttered away in the wind. No one but Mr. Kapasi noticed.” It resembles the relationship between Mr. Kapasi and Mrs. Das. Mr. Kapasi was just a piece of paper that could be disposed anytime for Mrs. Das except for the times when he was useful to her. Overall, I think the story shows an example of a family that is held together by something other than love, such as guilt in the case of Mrs. Das or obligation in the case of Mr. Das as it seems like he thinks it’s necessary to place the role of a father, not have the heart of one.