"Mr. Kapasi observed it too, knowing that this was the picture of the Das family he would preserve forever in his mind."-- "Interpreter of Maladies", Jhumpa Lahiri
As Chessie accurately pointed out in our small group, the title of this story is a play on words. The man, Mr. Kapasi is literally an interpreter: he translates for people at a doctor's office. Mrs. Das, however, believes since he works at a doctors office, he can help cure things. She is also wrong in assuming what she feels can be cured. She feels guilty because she has a child from a man who is not her husband. She confides in Mr. Kapasi, hoping he can help her feel better. Mr. Kapasi reads this as an attempt at affection. He dreams of her writing him letters and them having a relationship the whole time he drives the family. This miscommunication leads to both of them being hurt in the end.
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