Eidia-Lahiri-3/22

This Blessed House:

Personally, I am not fond of Lahiri's writing style. There is a lack of fluidity, rather there seems to be sharp disconnect in most of her works. While in "This Blessed House", there is a shorter presence of her "choppy" style of writing, she managed to completely bog my mind in her novel "The Namesake". The problem with her work is the lack of balance. In most cases, this author manages to propose two cultural extremes, creating a sharp distinction between Eastern and Western, lacking any sort of dignity. Reading her work is almost nauseating. I am left even more confused as to how I should view my cultural situation. In "This Blessed House", Lahiri presents the married domestic life of a newly married couple, Sanjeev the husband, and Twinkle or properly addressed as Tanima, the wife. As a twist, Lahiri constructs a role reversal, in contrast to the traditional Indian wife who encompasses the qualities of cleanliness, etiquette and culinary skills, Lahiri presents Twinkle as a carefree whimsical figure, easily attracted to simple things. The husband, in this situation, is presented as the contemplative, stoic man, who is more than stable in financial matters, and seems to be constantly yearning for housewifely qualities in his wife; hence, taking on role of household duties such as cooking and cleaning. I can understand Lahiri's attempt to present this renewed sense of Indian domestic life, but it simply does not work. Rereading this short story, I am left once again, with this bitter taste in my mouth, wondering, what exactly is Lahiri doing? 

On a side note, Rohinton Mistry's work, "The Collectors" seems to present a much more direct example of the introvert and the extrovert. His style is sturdy, there is a definite form present in concept and writing style. Without excessive detail, almost succinct, the author brings the reader to understand his motive. Another key point to be noted, Mistry's work is centered within India, it focuses upon Indian people in India; therefore, it lacks the cultural drama of Lahiri's work.