Is it possible that friendships can come to an end if one person told the other a wicked truth? In order to understand intercultural relationships, Jhumpa Lahiri- the author of "Interpreter of Maladies", shows the difference between men and women from other cultures and how their traditions follow into their marriage and relationships. Readers can see how the author made these two characters feel extremely attracted to each other throughout the story. Furthermore, Mr. Kapasi (the Indian tour guide- the main character) and Mrs. Mina Das (the self-absorbed woman-another main character) create conflict, relating to their marriage and infidelity. The forbidden connection between Mr. Kapasi and Mrs. Das represents the cultural differences found within intimate relationships.
             Mr. Kapasi and Mrs. Das are from different cultures, & follow their own view and tradition of marriage. Both characters develop feelings of sadness within a civilization that will prevent other men or women from reaching their dreams. Adhering to traditional Indian culture, women are controlled by men in their culture. Mrs. Das may cling to her heritage, but over time she finds herself isolated from her husband and children. As Jhumpa Lahiri writes in the story, "Don't you see? For eight years, I haven't been able to express this to anybody, not to friends, certainly not to Raj. He doesn't suspect it" (Lahiri 98). This statement demonstrates to the readers how miserable Mrs. Das lived her life when she had an affair with Mr. Das's friend. In marrying someone, whom the person loves the most may be a special moment, but following their culture can be important to them as well. As for Mr. Kapasi's side, his culture may be similar to Mrs. Das's, but Indian men seem to be more sexually repressed towards women. Lahiri further states, "Through Mr. Kapasi had been to the temple countless times, it occurred to him, too, ...