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Cultural Belonging in "When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine

Explore themes of cultural identity and political history in Jhumpa Lahiri's "Interpreter of Maladies" through the story of Mr. Pirzada's stay in the U.S. Explore the contrasts between American and Dacca life, significance of objects like the pocket watch and jack-o-lantern, and implications of familial connections. Consider Lilia and Mr. Pirzada's attachments to their respective cultures and the implications of their choices. Reflect on the implied themes of belonging and displacement in a post-colonial context. 8 Relevant

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Cultural Belonging in "When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine

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  1. When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine From Jhumpa Lahiri’s Interpreter of Maladies

  2. Political History • Between 1876 and 1947, the areas now known as India and Pakistan were under British rule as a single territory called India.

  3. When Independence was Achieved… • (1947) the area was divided: • Muslims Pakistan • Hindus India • However, people of both religions remained in both regions, which led to unrest and civil war.

  4. After Reading Questions • What was your reaction when you realized that Mr. Pirzada decided to stay in the U.S. instead of returning to Dacca and to his family? • Why does Lihiri include so many details about how well Lilia knows U.S. history and geography? • What does Mr. Pirzada discover about his family when he gets back to Dacca?

  5. Analyze and Evaluate 4. What is the significance of the following: A. Mr. Pirzada’s discomfort when Lilia thanks him for the candy. B. Mr. Pirzada’s pocket watch C. Lilia’s prayer D. The jack-o-lantern

  6. Analyze Theme 5. The theme in “Mr. Pirzada” is implied rather than directly stated. In order to determine the theme, think about the following: a. Cultural belonging is an important element in the story. How attached is Lilia to American culture? How attached is Mr. Pirzada? b. What contrasts do you see between life in America and life in Dacca? c. What message, or theme, do you think that Lahiri portrays in the story?

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