Interpreter of Maladies
by Jhumpa Lahiri

Although in the story Lahiri mentions that the Das come from America the reader can deduce the same thing from the diction. The descriptions of the Das family as well as their actions and words all contribute to the picture of American born Indians (from Indian not native Americans). For example, they dress like tourists. Although they look like they are of Indian ancestry, the Das wear American clothes and generally look like the stereotypical tourist. Therefore, although their ancestors are from India the Das are American through and through.

They also seem to have no knowledge of their heritage or what can be found in India. "They had never seen monkeys outside of the zoo."(Lahiri) There are monkeys all over India, yet the children seem so surprised by this fact. Their parents could have told them or taught them a little bit about India but Mr. and Mrs. Das seem just as ignorant as their children. They are all just sitting there "snapping" their gum like obnoxious Americans. They are surrounded by the culture of their ancestors, yet they ignore it and focus on the things they can have at home like gum and nail polish.