Summary
In “The Blessed House” by Jhumpa Lahiri, a couple named Sanjeev and Twinkle move into a new house. As they are unpacking, they discover various Christian belongings left behind by the former owners, including a porcelain statue of Christ and a bottle of malt vinegar (Lahiri). Sanjeev wants to dispose of the items, but Twinkle insists on keeping them. She begins to collect more Christian paraphernalia, such as postcards, a cross keychain, and a paint-by-number painting of the three wise men. Sanjeev is annoyed by the collection and finds the items silly and lacking a sense of blessedness. He suggests they call the Realtor to have the items taken away, but Twinkle refuses, saying it would be sacrilegious.
As they continue to unpack, Twinkle becomes obsessed with finding more Christian items in the house, believing that the previous owners were born-again Christians (Lahiri). Sanjeev, on the other hand, is focused on his career and reminisces about his time in college. He begins to feel unsure about his love for Twinkle and notices her quirks and habits that annoy him. Despite their differences, they agree to compromise and display the Christian items in the house, much to Sanjeev’s displeasure.
As they prepare for a housewarming party, Sanjeev becomes overwhelmed by the chaos and the attention Twinkle receives from their guests (Lahiri). He briefly contemplates removing the ladder to the attic, where the guests are searching for more hidden treasures, but ultimately decides against it. When Twinkle brings down a silver statue of Christ from the attic, Sanjeev reluctantly agrees to display it on the mantel (Lahiri). He realizes that Twinkle will never actually put it in her research as she promised and that she will cherish the Christian items for the rest of their lives together.
Opinion
In my estimation, “The Blessed House” is a cogitative narrative that delves into the intricacies of cultural and religious identity alongside the intricate marriage dynamics. It elicits inquiries regarding the significance of sacred emblems and their influence on an individual’s existence. Moreover, the tale scrutinizes the intricate entanglements of conciliation and acquiescence within a relationship. All in all, I consider the narrative to be captivating and admirably written, showcasing nuanced personages and an intriguing investigation of disparities stemming from cultural and religious discrepancies.
Works Cited
Lahiri, Jhumpa. “The Blessed House” Interpreter of maladies: Stories, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1999, pp. 136-157.