How we cite our quotes: (Abbreviated Title.Paragraph)
Quote #1
In the beginning he had believed that it would pass, that he and Shoba would get through it all somehow. She was only thirty-three. She was strong, on her feet again. But it wasn't a consolation. It was often nearly lunchtime when Shukumar would finally pull himself out of bed and head downstairs to the coffeepot, pouring out the extra bit Shoba left for him, along with an empty mug, on the countertop. (ATM 13)
That empty mug on the countertop seems like a pretty good sign of the mutual emptiness both Shoba and Shukumar feel about themselves, their marriage, and their family in general.
Quote #2
"Isn't this an air-conditioned car?" she asked, still blowing on her hand. The window on Tina's side was broken and could not be rolled down.
"Quit complaining," Mr. Das said. "It isn't so hot."
"I told you to get a car with air-conditioning," Mrs. Das continued. "Why do you do this, Raj, just to save a few stupid rupees. What are you saving us, fifty cents?" (IM 46-48)
Suffice it to say, Mrs. Das is a whiner. Nothing seems to satisfy her, not her kids, not her marriage, not her life in America. Maybe this is why she looks for a magical solution to her problems by confessing her sins to Mr. Kapasi.
Quote #3
"About what I've just told you. About my secret, and about how terrible it makes me feel. I feel terrible looking at my children, and at Raj, always terrible. I have terrible urges, Mr. Kapasi, to throw things away. One day I had the urge to throw everything I own out the window, the television, the children, everything. Don't you think it's unhealthy?" (Interpreter of Maladies 152)
This is Mrs. Das going on and on about her "malady" to Mr. Kapasi. Notice how she says "terrible" so many times? Makes us wonder whether she actually enjoys how horrible she is and how awful she feels. Do you think that some people are really invested in being unhappy? That they are getting something out of it?