Pubs 1-4

 Interpreter of Postmodernism

Interpreter of Maladies by Lahiri is undoubtedly a story of imperfect, complex characters who face certain challenges and have quirks that would only show in a work of postmodernism. Postmodernism is known as a literary period that focuses on showing the truth of each person rather than those of certain groups, cultures or races. Postmodernism focuses on the multifaceted personalities of its characters, in other terms. In the postmodern understanding, Interpretation is everything.

Each of Lahiris' characters holds such meaning to the reader, only if they are able to interpret said characters into something interesting and meaningful, either through individual experiences or how they view people as a whole. Mr. Kapasi and Mrs. Daas are the lead roles in the story as we watch Kapasi's view of Mrs. Daas change from that of an entitled woman on a tour with her husband. To a woman that understands him, is trapped in her relationship, and whom he could see is the girl for him. Unfortunately, this view was just that of Kapasis's interpretation as Mrs. Daas held a different perspective. Mrs. Daas feels resentment towards her husband and feels as if she had been trapped since they were children in a relationship with him which unfortunately is a familiar case in many Indian and Asian communities. Although The Daas marriage was not an ‘Arranged’ Marriage they had been strongly encouraged by their parents and it could be assumed that to avoid shame from their families they had followed through with the arraignments. According to Dr. Utpal Dholakia, In a study, he and his team conducted found that in a majority of happily arraigned marriages Indian families shared that they would not want to admit their marriage had been arraigned and felt it brought shame and guilt to what should just be a happy relationship. The Daas marriage contributed to the stories of postmodernism having its conflict and multifaceted traits. Its happiness, regret, grief, and resentment, are all tucked behind what outsiders would perceive as a happy marriage.

Living with Stanley and a moral dilemma 

Stella in "A Streetcar Named Desire" was forced to make a crucial choice that would affect the rest of her life. Stella had to choose between standing by her husband for herself and her child’s sake or siding with her sister. Stella's denial is so strong that she decides to ignore the reality of Blanche's abuse at Stanley's hands. Stella wanted to live a prosperous life, and choosing Stanley was the best move she could have made that a reality. Nevertheless, she now has to deal with her guilt over Blanche. When she chooses to believe in lies and a false vision of life, her outlook on life changed into Blanche's way of existence.

Blanch is perplexed by Stella and Stanley's Violent relationship, seeing Stella fall victim to physical and verbal abuse and continuously running back to Stanley. Stella is constantly reminding herself that if she were to leave she would be lost with no money, in the same situation as her sister Blanch, looking for a house to stay at.
The conflict between Blanch and Stanley started as soon as she arrived, with Stanley scoping out blanch attempting to see what she has been lying about, what happened to Bella Vive and the money that should have came with the sale of the house, Blanch starts off early telling Stella that she should not be with a man who treats her how he does, hits her in front of people and disrespects the family of. Stella responds by saying “I am not in anything that I have the desire to get out of “ (Stella, 119). This is, unfortunately, the case in many relationships, having to choose between the lesser of two evils. Psychologist Jeremy Sherman says “Every day you choose the best you can find among imperfect options” (Sherman) Stella's imperfect options are an abusive man who can provide her with comfort and a life for her baby, or the family in Blanche who may or may not be lying to her constantly.
“I couldn't continue to believe her story and live With Stanely”. Stella frequently struggles with whether to support her sister Blanche or her husband Stanley.. Blanche was broken when Stanley sexually assaulted her, but Stella also felt betrayed and disgusted by her husband's actions. Stella is terrified for her future and the future of her unborn child if she continues to support Blanche, despite the fact that she is well aware of what Stanley did to Blanche. Ultimately, Stella decides and castes her vote to send blanch away and return to the life she had before her sister arrived.

Antigone and the Struggle of Morality

 Antigone's fight against what she sees as an immoral civil law leads the charge in themes surrounding the greek tragedy. what is the difference between civil and moral laws and how is that expressed through Sophocles’ Antigone? Antigones’ constant fight against King Creon ends in the death of three and leads the crooked king himself, to question his own civil law and follow his morals, much too late. In the case of Antigone Moral law should have been followed and she should not have been put to death. Written law is defined as “any law and subordinate legislation made or issued by any body or person having power or authority under any law to make or issue the same”. In Antigone, The written law is that of King Creon and the proclamation in question is the order to let Polynecious die in the streets. In the public eye moral law is preferred through Thebes, with Haemon saying to his father, the king that “the gods have given man good sense… then do not have one mind, and one alone, that only one opinion can be right.” (Haemon 683, 705). The moral law is living the way you feel is right, in the case of Antigone, moral law is gods law. Following what the gods want for a proper burial is Antigones way of doing what she and the other citizens of Thebes thought were right, besides The king's proclamation. There are many examples of Thebians breaking the Written Law in favor of their own principles, such as Haemon defying his father, visiting Antigone, and attempting to kill Creon. “He drew his sword, but as his father ran he missed his aim. (Messenger 1230). In many societies across history, especially Theocracies, Moral law has reigned supreme with many claiming that religions were made to keep people acting morally and respectfully, knowing that there is someone watching over them and judging them on their actions. Christianity across the middle ages was used to convince the public to donate money to the church, elect religious leaders to positions of power, or even send them off to die in holy wars. The laws of greek burial rites hold many similarities with the ruling of Christianity in that many will break the written law to fulfill their moral needs and desires to follow their principles. Such as Antigone burying her brother despite the written law forbaying it. In conclusion, the benefits of the moral law in the case of Antigone overpower the unjust civil (written) law of king Creon. There have been many examples f moral law working throughout history, shown through antigone with the city supporting her silently while she breaks the civil law of thebes.