Mrs. Sen's

Lahiri makes use of dialect to characterize Mrs. Sen and to show the communication barrier that she faces in America. A dialect is a language or manner of speaking that is unique to a geographical region. Mrs. Sen is still learning English when she begins to watch Eliot. There are multiple instances in which Mrs. Sen tries to communicate with Eliot but cannot identify the correct word in English that conveys her meaning. Eliot notices that whenever Mrs. Sen is stressed or emotional, she has more difficulty speaking English. The language barrier affects Mrs. Sen deeply and adds to her feelings of isolation. She longs for her friends and family in India and only has Eliot’s companionship as an outlet since Mr. Sen does not care for her emotionally and is uninterested in her concerns. Some of the phrases that Mrs. Sen says show that English is her second language. Instead of saying “I didn’t know,” Mrs. Sen says, “I was without knowing” (243). Lahiri utilizes dialect to emphasize Mrs. Sen’s alienation in America.

Repetition in literature provides clarity and emphasis. Lahiri uses repetition to highlight emotionally resonant moments in the narrative. Repetition reveals Mrs. Sen’s melancholy and regret, for example, when she shows Eliot her saris: “She sifted through the drawers, letting saris spill over the edges. ‘When have I ever worn this one? And this? And this?’” (247). Repetition highlights Mrs. Sen’s frustration about her emotionally cold marriage and her alienation from America. Each repetition of “this” signals greater distress. The passage provides the emotional climax of Mrs. Sen’s agitation after she is yelled at by Mr. Sen for calling him at work. Repetition shows the emotions that she is going through. Although she puts on a pleasant mask for her husband and strangers, Mrs. Sen feels intense loneliness throughout her days in the small apartment by herself.