It's Wednesday.

Interpreter of Maladies

How does Mr. Kapasi's job as an "interpreter of maladies" relate to the action in this story? Does he have the occasion to use his diagnostic ability in his interactions with the Das family?

Mrs. Das evidently has had a hard time living with this secret about the origin of Bobby festering inside of her. When she learns that Mr. Kapasi is an interpreter, she begins fantasizing, apparently, about telling him her secret, as is evidenced by the following:

"'Tell us a typical situation.' She settled back in her seat, her head tilted in a patch of sun, and closed her eyes. 'I want to picture what happens.'" - p. 153

Mrs. Das is under the impression that she suffers from some sort of figurative malady of the heart, and she thinks Mr. Kapasi will help her out just for kicks. I sort of think this part is satirizing American culture. Early on in the story, the author mentions the tourist maps and cameras that the Das family has brought along with them. Now, he depicts Mrs. Das as self-centered and a little condescending, I think. Although Mrs. Das compliments Mr. Kapasi, going as far as to call his profession as interpreter "romantic," she just assumes he has nothing better to do--would like nothing more, perhaps--than listen to her troubles.

You're in my spot.

Today in class, we-- or roughly fifty percent of "we"-- were asked whether we would feel offended or complimented if somebody recited "My mistress' eyes" for us personally, and I didn't respond because, due to the gelatinous mush of anti-think that was apparently encompassing my brain, I was too slow to decide. But there's definitely something to be said for sincere, trustworthy appreciation, I suppose. Most likely, though, if somebody told me that, I would just wonder, "Why... are you telling me this?"

The question of "tone" has always seemed a little vague to me.... I mean, is satirical a tone? Shakespeare's speaker is satirizing men who write such exaggerated sonnets for their lady-friends, but is that his tone, or is that just the overall subject?

That aside, I think his tone is sort of pompous, in the beginning at least. Then it moves to being a little defensive, maybe, when he says the last three lines. "My mistress, when she walks, treads on the ground./ And yet, by heaven, I think my love as rare/ As any she belied with false compare."

Pink is red mixed with white.

The dog: it's pink because it is BALD! That didn't occur to me until I reread it the next day. I felt oblivious.

Anyway, "Pink Dog" seems to be a social commentary of some sort. Possibly the dogs are representative of prostitutes. Evidence supporting this would be the line inquiring as to the whereabouts of the dog's babies and also the focus on the diseased nature of the dog. It reminded me of "London" in that respect; prostitution was viewed as the greatest problem the city faced.

The poem also seemed to have a somewhat ironic or satirical tone to me. I thought possibly part of the social commentary was intended to point out the superficiality of a society which thinks if one dresses better, he will be better.

Our group also discussed the possibility that the poem took place during Mardi Gras. Evidence to support this includes "Ash Wednesday" and the sambas, which are a type of Brazilian/African dance.

This dog is not the right kind of pink, but there is no denying that it is reallyreallycute.

Roman Numeral Two (See What I Did There???)

I have decided that on page 17, there's a sort of rhetorical question:

"Hello Robert," I said. "Did you come to cheer me up?"

I only suspect this is a rhetorical question. I think we would have to ask Jake to be sure, but in any case, Robert did not answer, and he did not come to "cheer [Jake] up."

The rhythm of the conversation is sort of noteworthy as well, I think. It follows the pattern of question, irritable answer, question, irritable answer, question, irritable answer. Sometimes there's some narration/commentary in between, but that's the essence of that conversation. I believe I've been told that Hemingway has a very sparse method of writing, and maybe that's what I'm noticing here.

Also, on page 18, "He had a hard, Jewish, stubborn streak" seems significant as well. Is that satirical, perhaps? Actually, I think it's stereotyping because Hemingway doesn't seem to be aiming for change, and it's pinning all Jewish people with one characteristic.

Anyway, I think that's all for now. I'll be back when I've read chapter three!