Familial Bond in Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Temporary Matter

Abstract

Family is a bond of life chain which possesses love and concern to one another. It is with this bond the sufferings of lots of twists and turns get revealed. Jhumpa Lahiri is an Indian diasporic writer. In her work, she speaks about the dynamics of relationship, loneliness, loss and grief, connection, honesty. A Temporary Matter is taken from her interpreter of maladies. In this short story she speaks about the connection, honesty, loss, grief, and moving on. The central characters are Shoba and Shukumar. The other major characters in this story are Shoba’s Mother, Mr. Bradford and Mrs. Bradford. Shukumar and Shobaarea lovely couple. The protagonist is Shoba as she sustains a strong character. As life reverses they donot talk with each other after their child death. They receive a notice from their electric company that their power will be disconnected for the next five days from 8:00 to 9:00 P.M in order to repair the destruction caused due to snowstorm. During the period of power disconnect, Shoba and Shukumar sits together in a candle light and they share their secrets which remains disclosed for years. On the fifth day Shoba intimates her plans of moving to another house while Shukumar conveys the truth that he stood in the labour ward during her delivery time. This turns to be greatest twist at last.