English 12 - The Contrast of two Characters in "The Interprater of Maladies"

The similarity and difference between Mr.Kapasi and Mina

In "Interpreter of Maladies," Mr. Kapasi and Mina both come from same ethnic group – Indian; they differ in cultural aspects because Mina and her husband are the second generation Indian-Ameran, while Mr.Das is local Indian tourist guide. On the other hand, many things Kapasi and Mina share in common are their lonely feelings and marital problems.

There are several examples of noticeable cultural difference between Mina and Mr.Kapasi. At the first moment they meet each other. “When he’d introduced himself, Mr. Capasi has (had) pressed his palms together in greeting”; on the contrast, Mr. Das has (had) squeezed hands like an AmricanMina “has (had) flexed one side of her mouth, smiling dutifully”. (Page 84, end of 3rd paragraph). Moreover, Mr. Kapasi becomes curious about the couple who looks Indian, yet dress like American tourists, carry water bottle, and speak with an American accent he had heard many times on American TV shows,

Then, even Mina and Mr.Kapasi can communicate with English，as Mr.kapasi says in page 99 that they do not face a language barrier, there are still some misunderstandings happen. The compliment of “romantic” about Mr.Kapasi’s job, taking a picture together and requesting home address, which are common in American cultural, but Mr. Kapasi begins to grow the intoxicating feeling and fantasize a romantic relationship with Mina.

On the other hand, Mina misunderstands the meaning of Mr.Kapasi’s another job as “ interpreter of maladies”; she thinks “interpreter” is a person that helps others to understand the malady. That is why that she confesses her mistake she made in her marriage, “hopping Mr.Das (you) can help her (me) feel better, say the right thing, and suggests some kind of remedy. ” (Page 99 Paragraph 60).

Apart from those differences, Mina and Mr. Kapasi have many in common. The most noticeable event is their arranged marriage, which is one of the India traditions. For Mr. Kapasi, his “parents settles (settled) his marriage (Page 89, last Paragraph). While Mina, though she is born and raised up in America, her parents, the first immigrants, still keep that kind tradition; her marriage “is (was) all more or less a set up (page 97, middle of paragraph 141).

The story starts from the bickers between Mina and her husband, following their trip, more common situation is revealed – both Mina and Mr. Kapasi are unsatisfied marriage. Mr.Kapasi guesses that “Mr. And Mrs Das are (were) a bad match, just as he and his wife are (were)”. Two couples have little in common apart from their kids (Page 90, paragraph 79). The signs of Mina’s marriage reflects Mr. Kapsi’s like a mirror – “the bicking, the indifference, the protracted silences.” All of this causes their lonely feelings.

In the closing paragraph, Mr. Kapasi observes the little paper on which he had so carefully written his address slip out of Mina's handbag. He knows “that this was the picture of the Das family he would preserve forever in his mind." (page 111 last paragraph). This scene suggests the positive common ground that both of Mina and Mr.Kapasi have same hope to their marriage and future life.

Comparing Mina and Mr. Kapasi’s characterizations, we know that people in this world are speaking different language, wearing different style of cloths, receiving different level of education, live different locations and be under different political systems. Nevertheless, we can realize a fact that in the deep heart, lonely feeling, unsatisfied marriage, desire of healing the hurt, are universal features for most of human beings.