Interpreter of Maladies Lesson Plan

When Shukumar tells Shoba that in college, he cheated on a final exam, he also explains that it was not long after his father had died. She then tells him, “You didn’t have to tell me why you did it,” and moves closer to him. Why is this detail important?

It establishes the closeness between the couple that readers are not able to witness much in the present, as they’ve grown distant since the stillbirth. By telling Shukumar that it doesn’t matter why he did it, Shoba is trying to reestablish closeness and trust between them. This moment is a turning point in their relationship, which has been deeply damaged from the stillbirth. They’ve been unable to confide in one...