"Interpreter of Maladies"
Jhumpa Lahiri
As this short story continued to unfold, the reader learned more about Mr. Kapasi. This weekend tour guide also worked in a doctor's office as a translator. Mr. Kapasi interpreted the ill symptoms expressed by the patients who could not communicate directly with the doctor. This interpretation of their illnesses served to provide the title of the short story "Interpreter of Maladies". Later on in the story, Mrs. Das sought the help of Mr. Kapasi to interpret a problem of her own. After waiting through the regular tour, Mrs. Das confided in Mr. Kapasi that her son Bobby was not her husband's child. This scandal weighed down on Mrs. Das as an illness would on a sick patient. Mrs. Das sought help, but she only found the suggestion to tell the truth. What Mrs. Das failed to understand about Mr. Kapasi was that he only translated the messages to the doctor. "He found nothing noble in interpreting people's maladies, assiduously translating the symptoms of so many swollen bones, countless cramps of bellies and bowels, spots on people's palms that changed color, shape , or size" (Lahiri). Kapasi did not diagnose and treat the problem himself. Mrs. Das sought out a solution, but she only found a meager piece of advice, which she probably already considered herself.
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