Jhumpa Lahiri A Temporary Matter

“A Temporary Matter,” by Jhumpa Lahiri, displays how a married couple’s relationship is affected by the loss of a child. Before their tragedy, they were pleased with one another. However, when Shoba gives birth to a stillborn child, the couple isolated themselves from each other. Shoba distracted herself by working and keeping with her routine while Shukumar lost motivation to finish school. The death of their son created detachment and reticence in their marriage in contrast to their abiding love beforehand. Before the stillbirth, the author portrays Shoba and Shukumar as a couple with a stable relationship. Lahiri specifies that Shoba’s readiness “was typical of her. She was the type to prepare for surprises, good and bad. … She kept the bonuses from her job in a
It hadn’t bothered him.” Shoba’s actions set the mood that the marriage was in a constant state of security. As long as Shoba kept track of the marital affairs, everything else would fall into place. Shukumar was reliant on Shoba in this way: her preparedness laid the foundation for their working marriage. Shoba was steadfast in her belief that, if she held the reins, she could tailor his and her life as desired. Shukumar, although not resentful of it, was powerless in this sense. Her strict methodology shaped their lives while the husband was uninvolved in marital matters. Shoba’s sense of order exclusively kept their relationship alive, being the only spouse who kept all affairs in order. Moreover, Shukumar became sentimental looking at the dining room table as a time “when they were so thrilled to be married, to be living together