While reading the text, Interpreter of Maladies, the character Mr. Kapasi made me realize that I too often refuse to acknowledge the importance of an aspect of my life until someone else does it. In the text, Mr. Kapasi claims that he never considers his job of interpreter for the doctor’s office as a noble or influential position. But his ideas changes when Mrs. Das pointes out how crucial he is to the treatment of the patients who visit that doctor’s office. I find this feature of the story relevant to my own experience. In one instance, I was complaining to my mom of how unlucky I am for having to do so much school work. She then reminded me about the cousins who can’t even afford to go to school.

However, throughout the text, I was wondering why Mrs. Das considers Mr. Kapasi’s position as “romantic”. One of my assumptions is that author wants the character of Mr. Kapasi to like Mrs. Das in a sexual way. It allowed the author to craft Mr. Kapasi’s character who then goes onto fantasizing about having a relationship with Mrs. Das. But when Mrs. Das reveals her secret about her relationship, Kapasi becomes less interest in her. She seems to be in pain and guild about that secret. Which prompts Kapasi to leave her alone and stop fantasizing about her.