“Interpreter of Maladies”, a short story written by Jhumpa Lahir during the 1960’s. “Interpreter of Maladies” opens up with a tour guide who’s driving a family who’ve recently arrived in India for a vacation. Throughout the story these characters begin to show and represent the work of postmodernism from the action they commit and respond to. This representation is shown in every piece of the story from the beginning, middle, and till the end. The characters who demonstrated postmodernism literature the most were Mrs.Das and Mr.Kapasi. Both of these characters are able to do this through the flaws which they contain. These flaws can be categorized into the seven deadly sins and allow for the connection between their flaws as a character to postmodernism. Character flaws are the main factor to how this story is able to exemplify themselves as postmodernism.
When elaborating more on the idea of postmodernism and the connection to character flaws, Mrs.Das and Mr.Kapasi both contain flaws which are directly from the seven deadly sins. Mrs.Das being sloth with Mr.Kapasi being envy, these traits are shown from the start till the end. In the text it says, “In time she would reveal the disappointment of her marriage, and he his. In this way their friendship would grow, and flourish. He would possess a picture of the two of them, eating fried onions under a magenta umbrella.” (Mr.Kapasi, page 5) When analyzing Mr.Kapasi’s envy it becomes clear that he fantasizes for a life that he would never get, this “life” just being created as him being with a woman who is married and he just met. Envying while not directly saying it but hoping for some fate in this happening and transforming his current life into something he wants. When discussing Mrs.Das sloth an example arises and in the text it says, “The little girl stuck out a hand. "Mine too. Mommy, do mine too." "Leave me alone," Mrs. Das said, blowing on her nails and turning her body slightly.” (Mrs.Das, page 3) This quote shows how disassociated she has become with her family and in general her life. Her disinterest in her life is seen throughout the text and is the main catalyst for her sloth as a person. These flaws as characters allow for an exemplification of postmodernism from the short story.
Throughout the story human behavior and the relationships between one another are closely examined and spoken about through the lens of Mr.Kapasi. He allows for the reader to better understand the complexities in which these characters and people in general have. These depictions of characters are shown through the idea of expectations and what it can do to people. An example of this states, “He had dreamed of being an interpreter for diplomats and dignitaries, resolving conflicts between people and nations, settling disputes of which he alone could understand both sides.” (Mr.Kapasi, page 4) Mr.Kapasi had created these expectations for himself which his wife also saw and believed in. When he didn’t live up to those expectations she grew resentful, believing that he never lived to his full potential especially after the death of their son. These expectations destroyed their relationship way before the story began as it was something he couldn’t move on from. Another example of expectations providing a insight into human nature states, “Don’t you see? For eight years I haven’t been able to express this to anybody, not to friends, certainly not to Raj. He doesn’t even suspect it. He thinks I’m still in love with him.” (Mrs.Das, page 8) This quote demonstrates another example of expectations leading to failed relationships. Mr and Mrs Das both married at a young age which prevented Mrs.Das from knowing who she wanted to be or how her life would progress forward. Keeping her locked into a marriage which she soon fell out of love with, the expectations of being a housewife and mother to his children kept her from living her life. This caused her to cheat on her husband and lose the love she had for her children also. From Mr.Kapasi to Mrs.Das these expectations that society or people put on themselves leads to an understanding of human nature, to why people act the way they do or think the way they do.
When finding a connection between character flaws and the piece's exemplification of postmodernism many real world connections can be found with it. Going hand in hand in that understanding, one piece of media which demonstrates it in an interesting way is the album called “Yeezus” by Kanye West. Released in the summer of 2013 “Yeezus” is known for its industrial, loud in your face, aggressive, and experimental type production and lyrics. These aspects allow for the persona of “Yeezus” to be exemplified to its fullest, showing the ego which “Yeezus” has and what it has done to him. Opening up with the song “On Sight” it introduces you to a loud and abrasive screeching sound setting the tone for the album, this in hand introduces his foundation of ego and the near god complex he has. With a sample coming from a gospel song past the minute mark mentioning this, stating, “Oh, he’ll give us what we need / It may not be what we want”. “Black Skinhead” the second tract further builds upon the point which “On Sight” had with the abrasive and fame searching lyrics it brings. “Yeezus” talks about how he’s angered with the industry and wants freedom from society in that sense. Mentioning how he’ll make a change with all the power he has. The third song on the album called “I Am a God” further elaborates on this point with lyrics depicting his mentality and power he has over others. “Yeezus” raps that he is a god throughout the chorus, while also mentioning how he’s on the same level of Jesus Christ. This theme of ego slowly fades away when he realizes that this power and fame can’t buy himself true happiness when going into “Hold My Liquor”. Showing the inner struggles which he has in finding someone to love, from his inflated ego to his bad habits of alcohol and substance abuse. “Yeezus” raps throughout the song about a past lover which he went to with the hopes of finding comfort but doesn’t find any. With the pre-chorus saying, “I heard you need a new fad (A new girl, a new girl) / I heard you need a new stack (A new girl, a new girl) / I heard you need a new phone (A new girl, a new girl) / I know your ‘rents ain’t be home (A new girl, a new girl)” He uses material goods and temporary highs to fill this void of loneliness. The next song “I’m In It” delves deeper into the idea of unhealthy coping mechanisms with the use of women, drugs, alcohol and ect to distract himself. “Blood On the Leaves” sees “Yeezus” realize and let out his frustrations while singing about his past lover, to why she left. That they could’ve been more than nothing but he got in his way of that happening from his habits. After this “Yeezus” accepts his faults but is still grieving about that past relationship in a stronger sense throughout “Guilt Trip”. This grieving is more open and soft compared to the brashness of the last song, showing his vulnerability to wanting more in life which money or fame can’t buy. During the last track called “Bound 2” he supposedly finds this piece he’s been longing for and acknowledges his faults that no one is perfect, not even himself. While promising to give this new lover his world and love. From the start till the end the album “Yeezus” talks about the struggles of ego and the issues it brings. Showing the turnaround from his god complex, to wanting more, then getting that more he wanted but changing as a person in his new understanding.
With the creations of these pieces it demonstrates the art of postmodernism and how it presents the best understanding on why people act the way they do. From their actions to their thoughts, “Interpretations of Maladies” delves into the human nature of flaws and how they would originate while later consuming the person. Similarly “Yeezus” shows the open eye to these issues from the unhealthy lifestyle and habits to cope with his ego and what it brings with it. Finally breaking free from it and understanding his faults as a person. Literature and media has presented itself as the open door to the human mind to flaws as individuals.
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