Question

Temporary Matter

By Jhumpa Lahiri
Biography: Pulitzer Prize-winner Jhumpa Lahiri (b.
1967) often writes about the intricacies of love and
expectation among Indian American families. In "A
Temporary Matter," a story from Lahiri's debut
collection, Interpreter of Maladies, a couple confronts
the sadness they've long avoided. After their baby was
stillborn, Shoba and Shukumar's marriage changed. No
longer intimate with one another, Shoba spends her
days outside of the house, while Shukumar barely
leaves. A scheduled hour-long power outage for five
consecutive evenings provides the couple with a strange
gift. Instead of avoiding one another, they find
themselves able to talk, using the rules of a game Shoba learned from her family in
India.
EXTENDED RESPONSE: In a short paragraph 6-8 sentences please describe
what the theme of the text is, include evidence from the story, and an
explanation in your own words what message the author is trying to share
through the theme:

Answer 1

The theme of Jhumpa Lahiri's "A Temporary Matter" revolves around grief, communication, and the complex dynamics of a relationship under strain. It shows how tragedy affects the protagonists differently and explores whether temporary intimacy during power outages can help mend their relationship.

Step-by-step explanation:

The theme of "A Temporary Matter" by Jhumpa Lahiri is the complex nature of grief and communication within a relationship. The story illustrates how Shoba and Shukumar, after experiencing the tragedy of a stillborn baby, struggle to maintain their intimacy and connection. Before the power outages, the couple had been drifting apart, avoiding each other, and lacking communication.

The darkness brought by the power outage, ironically, allows them to reveal their deepest secrets, fears, and emotions, leading to a temporary closeness. However, this closeness is short-lived as, by the end, they come to terms with the reality of their relationship’s breakdown. Lahiri effectively explores how tragedy can both isolate and unite, and how temporary shared vulnerability might not suffice for lasting healing. The author conveys a profound message about the necessity of genuine, sustained communication as a foundation for relationships, and the heavy toll that unshared grief can exact.