Hello and welcome to the Discourse. ‘When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine’ is the second short story from Jhumpa Lahiri’s collection Interpreter of Maladies for which she won the Pulitzer Prize in 2000. The story is narrated from the perspective of a 10-year-old Indian-American girl in 1971, during the period of the Bangladesh Liberation Movement. The narrator is now a grown-up girl who remembers Mr. Pirzada and what happened in the autumn of 1971 when she was 10. At that time, she failed to understand the seriousness of the situation but now as an adult, she understands all that. The story is based on the themes of diaspora, alienation, and loss of cultural roots while highlighting the effects of revolution and violence on individuals. The story also depicts the assimilation and struggles of Indian immigrants in American society.
Characters of When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine:
Mr. Pirzada is from Dacca (Dhaka), a city in East Pakistan in 1971. Dhaka became the capital city of Bangladesh, a new country after the Bangladesh liberation movement in 1972. Mr. Pirzada is a botanist whom the Pakistani government sent to America to study New England's fall leaves during such a tumultuous period in the Indian subcontinent. His wife and seven daughters live in Dacca (Dhaka) where he owns a 3 storey house. When he hears the news of civil unrest in Pakistan, he becomes disturbed and worried about his wife and seven daughters who appear so similar that he can't tell apart. In America, he develops friendships with an Indian family (probably Hindu-secular) and visits them every evening. Lilia is the narrator of the story. She is a first-generation American of Indian descent. She is the only daughter of her parents. At the time of the story, she is 10 years old. Through the visits of Mr. Pirzada, she learns about the plight of Pakistan, the history of India’s violent independence experienced by her parents, and the war between the formerly united countries. From the safety of her home, she worries about Mr. Pirzada’s daughters. When he returns back to Dacca, she learns what it is to miss someone who lives across the world. Lilia’s father is a successful Indian immigrant and a University lecturer in America. He encourages his daughter to learn about India, as it appears she is only taught American history in school. He wants his daughter to know about the world of her parents' upbringing. Lilia’s mother is proud that her daughter was born and will be raised in America. She encourages American traditions while maintaining the traditions of her own upbringing in Calcutta. Though Liliac’s family stresses cultural roots, they appear secular as they never mention religion and are comfortable with Mr. Pirzada who is a Muslim. Dora is Lilia’s American friend, her classmate. They trick-or-treat together in 1971. When they visit their neighbors on Halloween Eve, the American neighbors point out that they never saw an Indian witch, suggesting a sense of discrimination. Mrs. Kenyon is Lilia’s school teacher who chastises her for reading a book about Pakistan.
Summary of When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine:
Lilia remembers a time when she was 10 years old. Her parents were Indian immigrants. They miss their homeland and try to make contact with other Indians in America. They often seek out other Indian emigrant compatriots from the university where her father works. This is how they found Mr. Pirzada from Dacca, then a part of Pakistan. He left behind his wife and seven daughters for a fellowship to study the foliage of New England. Since his fellowship provided only a meager dorm room, he used to visit Lilia’s home to eat with her parents and watch the news of the outbreak of civil conflict between East and West Pakistan. Dacca had been invaded by the Pakistani army and torched and shelled. Thousands of people were tortured or killed. Although Mr. Pirzada writes a letter to his family each week, he has not heard from them in six months. Lilia notices that he syncs his watch to Dacca time just before the broadcast begins. This gives her a feeling as if they are living in the past, trying to learn the future, that has already happened somewhere else in the world. Mr. Pirzada is generous with Lilia, doting on her because he is unable to speak to his own daughters. He is curious about American customs and Lilia tries to teach him about her culture. Lilia calls him “the Indian man,” but her father explains that he is no longer Indian; though he is Bengali, he is also a Muslim. Lilia tries to understand the difference but fails to notice any as she thinks Mr. Pirzada and her father appear almost similar. Also, her parents do not stress much on religion so, she fails to understand the difference between Hindu and Muslim. Lilia’s father tells her about Indian independence and how his native land was divided into India and Pakistan in 1947 which resulted in huge mass murders and riots between Hindus and Pakistan. Lilia fails to understand this because, at school, she is being taught about the American Revolution as a bloodless purely victorious historical incident, hiding out the violence of that period. She learns a simplified, cheerful version of the American battle for independence at her school, glossing over the true costs of revolution.
Lilia’s father is disturbed by the fact that Lilia is unaware of what is happening in the Indian sub-continent, their own country. Lilia’s mother is happy though and feels that they have assured a safe life, access to education, and endless opportunities for Lilia.
One day, her father invites Lilia to watch the news with them so that she may learn a bit about India and Pakistan. She comes to know about the conflict between East and West Pakistan and sees the thousands of refugees seeking safety. That night, Lilia is sick with worrying that Mr. Pirzada’s family is either in the crowds of wandering refugees, or worse, dead. To distract herself, she eats a piece of candy from her box, but this time, she says a prayer while it slowly melts on her tongue. Lilia has never prayed for anything before and decides not to brush her teeth, fearing it will wash away the power of the prayer.
The next day, she remains disturbed at school. Mrs. Kenyon, her teacher asks her to read about the American Revolution, she instead looks for information about Pakistan and finds a book called Pakistan: A Land and Its People. She feverishly begins to read the book but is soon discovered by her teacher. She is lightly scolded and told there’s no reason to consult the book. In October, Mr. Pirzada asks about the pumpkins he sees on the doorsteps of Lilia’s neighbors. She tells him that it is used to scare people. He helps her carve a jack-o’-lantern while a TV reporter mentions Dacca. It appears as if India will go to war with Pakistan. Mr. Pirzada’s knife slips, leaving a deep gash in the pumpkin. Lilia’s father mends the pumpkin by turning the mouth into a large “O” shape.
Lilia’s friend visits and asks her to go trick-and-treat the neighbors. Lilia dresses as a witch for Halloween with her friend Dora. It is the first year she is allowed to trick-or-treat unattended. Mr. Pirzada worries, asking her parents if there is any danger. Lilia’s mother assures him that it is only an American custom. Lilia tells him not to worry. Outside, Dora asks Lilia why Mr. Pirzada wants to come with them. She says his daughters are missing, but immediately regrets it, as if saying it will make it true. Lilia corrects herself and explains that the girls are in another country and Mr. Pirzada misses them. While they visit door to door for candy, several people comment that they have never seen an Indian witch before. Lilia fails to understand why she has been pointed out though she is wearing exactly the same dress as that of Dora. Lilia and Dora end their night at Dora’s house, where Lilia notes with some surprise that the news is not playing in the background. When Lilia arrives home later, she finds their jack-o’-lantern has been smashed. She notices that the TV is off and Mr. Pirzada has his head in his hands. Lilia learns that the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 is imminent. For the next month or so their house is devoid of joy. Lilia is no longer allowed to watch the news with the adults, Mr. Pirzada stops bringing her candy, and the house is often silent. The break of this ritual creates a distance between Lilia and Mr. Pirzada. The situation worsens. The U.S.A. sides with West Pakistan, the Soviet Union with India, and what will become Bangladesh. During the twelve days of the war, Lilia’s mother only cooks boiled eggs and rice. They lay out a blanket for Mr. Pirzada to sleep on the couch. Lilia’s parents call their relatives in Calcutta for updates. Lilia senses gloom and fear in her house.
Mr. Pirzada stops talking to her much and there are no more new candies for her. In January, Mr. Pirzada goes back to his home in Dhaka. For many months, Lilia’s family does not get any information about Mr. Pirzada or what happened to his family and daughters. Lilia continues to eat a piece of candy in prayer for his daughters. One day, her father receives a letter from Mr. Pirzada along with a greeting card for the celebration of the Muslim New Year. Lilia learns that Mr. Pirzada and his family are safe in Dacca. She feels relieved as her prayers proved to be fruitful. Now when she no longer needs to eat candy and pray, she throws the remaining candy away.
So this is it for today. We will continue to discuss the history of Indian English literature. Please stay connected with the Discourse. Thanks and Regards!
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