As I kept reading Interpreter of Maladies, I found myself more and more intrigued. When Mr. Kapasi shares that his job is to literally act as an interpreter at a doctors office and be the connecting bridge between the patient and the doctor, I started to immerse myself in the plot more. I thought about that a little more and the fact that the story is named Interpreter of Maladies, indicating a large significance. Mr. Kapasi’s job is to communicate the hardships that a person is going through in an understandable language for all parties involved. Reading on, when Mrs. Das tells Mr. Kapasi about how unhappy she is in her marriage and how unfulfilled she feels, he is also interpreting a malady, even if it isn’t a sickness like the situations he deals with at work. He is put in a position where he is between an edge and a sword because of his feelings towards Mrs. Das. How is he supposed to interpret this specific malady that Mrs.Das expressed to him?

Furthermore, there is a theme of communication within this story, or the lack of. This story explores how hard communication can be in relationships and how it can become the wedge driving two people apart. This idea was exemplified by Mr. Kapasi’s loveless marriage itself and the lack of communication in regards to each partners wishes. The Dases marriage is also suffering a great deal due to lack of communication, causing their constant bickering. Moreover, at the end of the story when Mr. Kapasi’s address flies out of Mrs.Das’ purse, it signifies the end of their ties and the inability for them to communicate in the future.