The Interpreter of Girls: How Kincaid and Lahiri Write Women Amanda Abere College

Among the many problems of society, the constrictions of gender has been perennially prevalent. From birth, people are forced to conform to certain gender roles based on their biological sex. Such constrictions are better associated with women because culture places more burden on them. For instance, female vanity is solely for the purpose to attract a man, yet is a double edged sword. A natural look is considered unattractive yet a woman who wears a lot of makeup and minimal clothing is thought to sleep around. Moreover, the majority of female expectations involve her submission to a man, in which she is obligated to love and cater to one. These requirements are the basis of Jamaica Kincaid’s “Girl.” Embedded in the necessary commands is the harsh criticism of women in culture, presenting the societal image of what a female is supposed to be and represent. If the girl does not heed to this advice, she will become much like Mrs. Das, the heroine in “Interpreter of Maladies” by Jhumpa Lahiri. This short story tells of the Das family on vacation in India, following a tour led by Mr. Kapasi. In disregarding “Girl”’s advice, Mrs. Das is not conscious of being a woman in Interpreter of Maladies, in which her carelessness illustrates...