Introduction
When a couple expects a child, they prepare for the most exciting and rewarding experience. Thus, losing a child is a devastating event that can either strengthen a relationship between spouses or ruin it. However, many prefer not to discuss this issue because it is hard to come to terms with the realization that there are life events that could hurt their bond.
What is beautiful about art and literature is that it explicitly allows for discussing painful topics that define human existence, and “A Temporary Matter” by Jhumpa Lahiri is an example. Exploration of the story’s theme and setting is instrumental in discovering the purpose of this literary piece and the method the author used when pursuing that purpose. With the significant theme revolving around the finality of loss, the short story is set in the kitchen of Shoba and Shukumar’s Boston home, which allows for a personal interaction between readers and the story.
Theme: Finality of Loss
At the story’s beginning, it is clear to the readers that the relationship between Shoba and Shukumar has been hit hard by the loss of their child. While Shoba dives deep into her work to avoid thinking too much about the loss, Shukumar reflects upon their gradual loss of connection and the disappearance of the tenderness between them. He thought it was ages since Shoba “looked into his eyes and smiled, or whispered his name on those rare occasions they still reached for each other’s bodies before sleeping” (Lahiri 2).
What is interesting about the quote is that it is pretty universal and can describe a lot of relationships in which people have been together for a long time and lost a ‘spark.’ Moreover, Shukumar says nothing about their loss because it may be painful for him, too; however, he notices the change in the relationship dynamics, which was deeply affected by the tragedy. He also reminisces about the times Shoba was full of life, cooking dinners for their friends, always being prepared to host, and loving to stock their pantry. Shukumarnotes, “She didn’t mind being jostled, even when she was pregnant. […] When friends dropped by, Shoba would throw together meals that appeared to have taken half a day to prepare” (Lahiri 3).
Now, Shukumar enjoyed cooking instead because he felt it made him more productive. Shoba no longer enjoyed doing the things she used to love, and Shukumar found comfort in being the cook in the couple, which points to the deep-rooted issue brewing for quite some time while the loss of a child encouraged the disconnect. Therefore, the two protagonists grieve their son and their fizzling connection.
Setting: A Dark Kitchen
The story’s setting provides a backdrop for many intimate revelations about the couple’s relationship. To the husband, the kitchen symbolizes the marriage, as many pleasant memories are connected. Shukumar remembers “their first meals there, when they were so thrilled to be married, to be living together in the same house at last, that they would just reach for each other foolishly” (Lahiri 4). To the wife, the cooking, stocking the pantry, and being the host allowed her to express her love to Shukumar. As Shoba and Shukumar have to spend several nights without electricity, they spend a lot of time in the kitchen with only candles lighting the enclosed space.
The intimate moments in the kitchen’s dark were crucial for the characters to understand that they would no longer continue trying to stay together. The darkness was instrumental to the storyline because it allowed the spouses to be more honest with one another. Shoba suggested, “Let’s do that,” she said suddenly. Do what? Say something to each other in the dark. How about telling each other something we’ve never told before” (Lahiri 6).
The spouses start saying things they never said to one another, beginning to understand that both kept secrets from one another, thus realizing that their love was fizzling away. The ultimate revelations were Shoba’s intention to leave her husband and that she even rented while Shukumar told her the sex of their stillborn child. Even though there was no direct conflict between the characters, the story set in the kitchen’s darkness allowed for a deeper insight into their relationship.
Discussion
The story’s ending points to the likely breakup of the couple, even though they tried connecting in a difficult time. The theme and the setting are closely connected, as the latter allows for enhancing the former. Loss is often hard to discuss, and the fact that the characters could speak their minds in the darkness of their kitchen points to the fact that some people need encouragement. Both Shoba and Shukumar felt that the darkness gave them courage and freedom to say to one another what they never said before. Up to that point, they were unable to be truthful and discuss their pain openly.
The spouses build the courage to share more profound revelations by revealing small secrets. For example, Shoba shared that when she had been to Shukumar’s apartment the first time, she “looked in your address book to see if you’d written me in. I think we’d known each other two weeks” (Lahiri 6). This is quite an innocent secret that any person could do. However, as the couple continues talking in the dark, their revelations get more intense and unpleasant to one another. Had it not been for the temporary electricity outage, the two may not have found the courage to be honest with one another and continued growing apart.
Conclusion
To conclude, A Temporary Matter provides a deep insight into human psychology around grief. People may experience mourning differently, and the connections they build with their loved ones can help them overcome the darkest times. The relationships between people are deeply affected by tragedy, and it is challenging to maintain understanding and love when suffering deeply.
The story’s setting enhances the inner conflict and allows the protagonists to be honest with one another as they are grieving. Specifically, by confiding most of the events to the kitchen, the author offers a more intimate look into the characters’ relationship. In addition to mourning the loss of their child, the spouses mourn their marriage that fizzles out before their eyes and will never be the same.
Work Cited
Lahiri, Jhumpa. “A Temporary Matter.” Weebly. Web.