"A Temporary Matter" (Tone=>Theme)

In Jhumpa Lahiri's "A Temporary Matter," I believe the overall tones in which it is written consists of a rather mellow, casual tone that gives off a genuine feel. The tone in which Lahiri writes this short story goes hand-in-hand with the prevalent theme: The importance of communication within a marriage is vital and secrets can lead to grief. However, it is interesting because she uses the times before and after Shoba's pregnancy to highlight the changes in tones that ultimately mirror the change in Shoba and Shukumar's marriage.  The tone while describing the happy days before her pregnancy is hopeful and carefree as the young couple holds dinner parties and look towards the future.  However, after Shoba's pregnancy, the tone of her and Shukumar's interactions becomes rather weighed down and indifferent.  Finally, the tone during the couple's nightly confessions turns  emotional and passionate as they reveal their deepest secrets to each other.  Through the changing tone of the story, Lahiri makes the audience experience the evolution of Shoba and Shukumar's  relationship from happiness and bliss to indifference and awkwardness to their final catharsis by candlelight before they leave each other. Ironically, Lahiri is able to show that through both of the power of communication as well as the lack of it can catalyze an inconsistency of emotions. Moreover, though she is able to capture the abundance of emotional changes and mood variation through their time together, the language and structure in which she uses is done in a casual manner. The actual confessions and/or memories account for the mood rather than the tone in which Lahiri chooses to write.

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