Eliot appears to know more about driving than Mrs Sen does. Though she does not take a leap of faith. It is however noticeable that Mrs Sen does try to adapt to her new surroundings. It is as though she expects him to be at her beck and call in minutes despite the fact that he is working. She relies on him heavily throughout the story and some readers might suggest that Mrs Sen’s reliance is inappropriate. It might also be important that Mrs Sen does not feel independent of Mr Sen. Once a week she might go to the fishmonger and get fish but apart from that she is isolated from the outside world. Mrs Sen also doesn’t venture out of the apartment very much. A job that might help to keep her preoccupied. This might explain as to why she decided upon minding Eliot. This may be important as Lahiri may be suggesting that unlike Mr Sen, Mrs Sen does not have much to do. Whereas Mr Sen seems to have had an easier time adapting to his new surroundings on the university campus. If anything Mrs Sen is unable to let go of her tradition. Likewise she prepares food on the ground when she has a table in her apartment that she can use.

Mrs Sen also dresses traditionally as though she was still living in India. Something that Mrs Sen does not do throughout the story.

It is not that the past should be forgotten but an individual should try and embrace the future. The letters that she receives from India are also interesting as they have the ability to drag Mrs Sen back into her past. It is as though Mrs Sen lacks the ability to change or become accustomed to life in America.

Though the reward is freedom she never conquers the obstacles she has placed in front of herself. Mrs Sen is fearful of driving on her own. Mrs Sen is an Indian woman living in America yet she is frightened to try and adapt to what would be considered a normal American way of life. Taken from her Interpreter of Maladies collection the story is narrated in the third person by an unnamed narrator and after reading the story the reader realises that Lahiri may be exploring the theme of culture and just how difficult it can be for an individual (Mrs Sen) to adapt to a new culture. In Mrs Sen’s by Jhumpa Lahiri we have the theme of culture, change, isolation, independence and identity.

Interpreter of maldives