“Interpreter of Maladies” by Jhumpa Lahir is a short story whose theme of character flaws presents itself heavily throughout. The theme of character flaws isn’t only bound to “Interpreter of Maladies” but can be found throughout literature in other short stories which include and are not limited to “The Birthmark” by Nathaniel Hawthorne and “Hills Like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemingway. These two additional short stories present the theme of character flaws in similar yet different ways through its characters, both showing a character who loses their loved one because of their flaw.
In the story by Nathaniel Hawthrone the character of Aylmer who is a scientist depicts the flaw of searching for something which isn’t real, perfection. In this search for perfection in his wife Georgiana she died. In “The Birthmark” Aylmer is shown talking about his wife’s imperfection and states the following, “Aylmer could only think of this disastrous subject. With the morning light, Aylmer opened his eyes upon his wife's face and recognized the sign of imperfection. When they sat together in the evening near the fire, he would look at the mark.” (Lahir, page 2). Constantly talking down about his wife for this “imperfection” which others deemed as “the hand of a magical fairy had touched her face when she was born.” (Lahir, page 1). Aylmer then took it into his hands to find a solution to “fix” his wife and make her perfect which caused this interaction to occur, “My poor Aylmer,” she said gently. "You have aimed so high. With so high and pure a feeling, you have rejected the best the Earth could offer. I am dying, dearest." (Lahir, page 4). This search for perfection leads to this tragic loss for someone he said he loved; he lost the one person who admired him for who he was. This expectation of perfection on his wife sees similar parallels to Mrs. Das with the expectation that society has on her for being a mother and wife. In both of these expectations it causes the loss of something for a person, Mrs. Das with herself and who she wants to be to how Aylmer loses his wife.
Hopping from one flawed character to another, the American in “Hills Like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemingway depicts a similar yet different character flaw. Rather than searching for perfection he is shown to be selfish from the lack of empathy he has for his lover. In the text the American said, “"It's really an awfully simple operation, Jig," the man said. "It's not really an operation at all." (Hemingway, page 2). After analyzing the quote, it shows how he doesn’t really care for his partners opinions or concerns with the operation, she voiced her concerns before and after this quote with the American having little to no regard to how this will affect her. Later on in the story Jig and the American exchange this conversation, “Do you feel better?" he asked. "I feel fine," she said. "There's nothing wrong with me. I feel fine." (Hemingway, page 4). Over the course of the story and presumably years Jig has had to endure and having to appease the American’s wishes. She’s stuck in a loop where she can’t defend or support herself, the American has caused this to happen with his selfishness. The selfishness has him seeing himself as a priority even in the situation discussing abortion. Manipulating her into doing what’s best for him then helping her through this hardship.
The idea of character flaws as a theme demonstrates human nature and how they react to imperfections in people. Through their looks, hardships, expectations, and etc. these qualities allow the reader to see how the wrong reaction can change lives for the worse. From the loss of a loved one in “The Birthmark” to damaging a relationship permanently for your own gain in “Hills Like White Elephant”. These character flaws show the connection between all three of these short stories. These flaws are a by-product of society and the people who idolize it.
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