Interpreter of Maladies Language and Communication Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Abbreviated Title.Paragraph)

Quote #7

Another day she played a cassette of people talking in her language—a farewell present, she told Eliot, that her family had made for her. As the succession of voices laughed and said their bit, Mrs. Sen identified each speaker. "My third uncle, my cousin, my father, my grandfather." One speaker sang a song. Another recited a poem. The final voice on the tape belonged to Mrs. Sen's mother. It was quieter and sounded more serious than the others. (MS 88)

A touching reminder of the power of hearing one's native language in a strange land. It communicates love, family, and identity.

Quote #8

"What about the housewarming? They'll want to see all the rooms. I've invited people from the office."

She rolled her eyes. Sanjeev noted that the symphony, now in its third movement, had reached a crescendo, for it pulsed with the telltale clashing of cymbals.

"I'll put it behind the door," she offered. "That way, when they peek in, they won't see. Happy?" (TBH 26-28)

Did you know that looks of contempt are one of the signs of a troubled marriage? What counts as contempt? Try the eye-roll. Twinkle's got it down.

Quote #9

Bibi had retreated into a deep and prolonged silence. We took turns leaving her plates of rice and glasses of tea. She drank little, ate less, and began to assume an expression that no longer matched her years. (TBH 41)

You know things are bad when your town crier (which Bibi literally is—she's always crying about something) retreats into silence. This happens after Haldar and his wife abandon Bibi completely. You wouldn't think they were that important to Bibi since they were so cruel to her, but clearly, some family is better than no family at all to Bibi.