The monkeys in Jhumpa Lahiri's "Interpreter of Maladies," specifically the Hanuman monkeys, primarily symbolize the profound dangers that loom over and directly threaten the Das family. These dangers are depicted as a direct consequence of Mr. Das and Mrs. Das's significant negligence, both in their responsibilities as parents and in their relationship as partners.
A Symbol of Neglect and Looming Threat
Throughout the story, the monkeys serve as a stark visual and narrative representation of the vulnerabilities created by the Das couple's inattentiveness and self-absorption. Their presence foreshadows and embodies the risks the family faces due to their collective lack of responsibility.
- Parental Negligence: The Das parents exhibit a consistent lack of supervision and engagement with their children. They are often preoccupied with their own comfort or trivial concerns, leaving their children vulnerable to their surroundings. The monkeys attacking the son, Bobby, is a literal manifestation of this neglect, showing how their detachment directly leads to harm.
- Marital Disconnect: Mr. and Mrs. Das share a distant and uncommunicative relationship, marked by a profound lack of intimacy and mutual responsibility. This disunity within their partnership translates into a fractured family unit, making them collectively ill-equipped to handle external challenges or protect their children effectively. The monkeys highlight the chaotic potential that emerges from such disarray.
- Unacknowledged Consequences: The monkeys force the Das family, particularly Mrs. Das, to confront the tangible and sometimes brutal consequences of their collective apathy and irresponsibility. The incident where Bobby is attacked by monkeys becomes a pivotal moment, exposing the raw danger that their negligence invites.
The Hanuman Monkeys in Context
The choice of Hanuman monkeys is significant. In Hindu mythology, Hanuman is a powerful deity known for his loyalty and strength, but monkeys in general can also be mischievous and destructive. In the story, their behavior—from stealing food to the aggressive attack—underscores their symbolic role. They are not merely background creatures; their actions are pivotal in revealing the underlying tensions and dangers within the Das family dynamic. They represent:
- The Wildness of the Uncontrolled: The monkeys embody the unpredictable and untamed aspects of life that the Das family, accustomed to a more controlled existence, are ill-prepared to handle. Their inability to manage the monkeys mirrors their inability to manage their own family's well-being.
- External Manifestation of Internal Decay: The external threat posed by the monkeys serves as an allegory for the internal decay and neglect within the family. The chaos they bring is a direct reflection of the disorder that stems from the parents' emotional and relational shortcomings.
In essence, the monkeys act as a powerful, unsettling symbol that brings the consequences of the Das family's negligence into sharp, undeniable focus, forcing a confrontation with the uncomfortable realities they have long ignored.
