Mapparium as a Symbol of Cultural Identity, Thesis Paper Example

Mapparium as a Symbol of Cultural Identity in a Global World in the story “Sexy” by Jhumpa Lahiri

In Jhumpa Lahiri’s story, “Sexy,” the use of symbols is prominent as a literary technique.  The inclusion of the Mapparium, for example, underscores the interrelatedness of cultures in a modernized world while pointing to a sense of uniqueness within the cultural experience of those who have immigrated to this country or are the children of immigrants.

The story is set against the backdrop of the U.S., considered to be a melting pot of cultures referring to the large number of immigrants that have come here. But the term melting pot suggests that the individual nature and cultural identity of these immigrants merged with each other and with the American culture.

At first, when immigrants arrived in the country, they strived to be more like American’s, to fit in and not be singled out as different.  As time as gone on, however, there has been an increasing awareness and return to the original cultural background of immigrants and those who are descended from immigrants.  This appears to be particularly true of the second generation who have had a chance to be brought up in the U.S. surrounded by American culture, yet raised by those who directly immigrated from somewhere else.  As cultural awareness increases, so a does a focus on the importance of diversity and pluralism.  This is alluded to by Dev’s attempts to educate Miranda about where he and his father came from, showing her a map of the area.  The Mapparium expands the notion of country and culture to include the entire world.  The globe is large but still allows the characters to view the entire world as it exists.  It also makes countries appear easier to travel to, indicating that previously unknown cultures and now gaining recognition within this country and elsewhere.

The story “Sexy,” takes a somewhat different perspective from a great deal of other literature written by immigrants or the descendants of immigrants focusing on a South Asian (Bengali) perspective. The story involves an adulterous relationship between a white American woman and a Bengali man.  Throughout the story, the author points out how the modern world has become easier to explore and how this can lead to estrangement of those from all backgrounds.  Using the Mapparium as a point of reference for the two main characters, Lahiri emphasizes a worldly perspective.  The author seems to be alluding to not just a more modern world but one that is more open to being experienced.  Yet this very freedom can lead to loneliness, a condition experienced by both Dev and Miranda.  Dev comments on how brave Miranda is having moved to a new city where she doesn’t know anyone, yet her experience is one of being alone despite casual relationships with co-workers.

It is at the Mapparium that Dev leans over and whispers that Miranda is “Sexy.”  The way in which this is stated, shows that perhaps his idea what constitutes being “sexy” is influenced by his cultural background, symbolized by the Mapparium.  Even though the relationships shows increased interaction between foreign cultures and the culture of the U.S. Dev’s emphasis on where he is from and his attempts to educate Miranda also demonstrate his desire to share his culture with others and for it to be viewed as distinct and different from the culture in this country.  Miranda’s childhood views of Indian culture show that despite there being more acceptance of a variety of cultures there is also fear of other cultures and stereo typing at play in the U.S. which is also pointed out through the Mapparium as it contrasts the idea of a smaller and more accessible world with the somewhat separatist attitudes of Americans.