It is the nature of their relationships, which could be found anywhere. However, it is not the origin of the characters that make them so instantly relatable. ‘The Treatment of Bibi Haldar’ was a particularly touching one, dealing with issues of weddings in the Indian society, and depicting the relationships between women. There are two stories which I couldn’t help but like, as they are based in my home-city, Calcutta, dealing with sensitive issues of caste and class. The theme of identity is a constant one, whether it is the battle between dual Indian and American identities, or between the personal and family identity.
There are few references to the causes of these displacements, but we know that India’s political history has an impact. In most stories, these Indian characters find themselves away from a place they call home, often ending up in various states of America. Jhumpa Lahiri’s characters are distinctively Indian, not in the curry-brewing, idol-worshipping way, but in the way that they carry remnants of their homes, families, heritage, and memories, wherever they go.
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