Interpreter of Maladies
In the book of short stories entitled Interpreter of Maladies, Jhumpa Lahiri, the author, focuses on the theme that “man” can not control his destiny. In none of the stories is this illustrated more than in “A Temporary Matter” and “The Treatment of Bibi Haldar.” Each of the stories, contain numerous examples showing how the characters involved are unable to control their fates, and are condemned to suffer great calamity as a result. The ending of the story in “A Temporary Matter” shows disintegration and lost; however, the ending in the story “The Treatment of Bibi Haldar” shows rejuvenation and the rebuilding of life.