Jourdae Benfante
Professor Brady
EGL 102
5/03/22
Man vs Self
Countless characters in movies and stories struggle with an internal conflict experiencing an inner debate within their mind. The short story “Hills like White Elephants” by Ernest Hemingway and “Interpreter of Maladies” by Jhumpa Lahiri both exhibit leading conflicts, one which stands out is man vs self. Mr. Kapasi battles with his vulnerability and unhappiness in his life using his ‘Mrs. Das fantasy’ as an outlet for his problems. Jig has a internal strife with not wanting a abortion but making the American man happy and compromising for his benefit. This familiar theme plays a leading factor throughout the pair of stories.
In “Interpreter of Maladies”, Mr. Kapasi is revealed to have a struggle with his emotions. In the story, Mr. Kapasi seems to be filled with unhappiness regarding his son dying and his wife not appreciating his job. From this result, he is filled with a sense of constant vulnerability and loneliness until, Mrs. Das had a sudden interest in his interpreter job. Mr. Kapasi came to the realization that his wife doesn’t care all that much about him after all these years. Lahiri exemplifies, “Unlike his wife, she had reminded him of its intellectual challenges. She had also used the word "romantic." She did not behave in a romantic way toward her husband, and yet she had used the word to describe him. He wondered if Mr. and Mrs. Das were a bad match, just as he and his wife were. (Lahiri,19). Mr. Kapasi is shown comparing Mrs. Das and his wife together along with over analyzing the Das’ relationship. He romanticizes and magnifies the situation to the point of which Mr. Kapsi convinces himself Mrs. Das has some sort of attraction toward him. Another example in the passage reads, “She would write to him, asking about his days interpreting at the doctor’s office, and he would respond eloquently, choosing only the most entertaining anecdotes, ones that would make her laugh out loud… In time she would reveal the disappointment of her marriage, and he his. In this way their friendship would grow, and flourish.” (Lahiri, 20). Mr. Kapasi is creating a fantasy in his head about his future with Mrs. Das. Lahiri writes how Mr. Kapsi imagined him and Mrs. Das would confide in each other and become close over time. Disappointingly, Mr. Kapsi created all these ideas and imaginary scenarios for an outcome he didn't anticipate. After Mrs.Das had expressed to Mr. Kapasi how she practically saw him as a father it conflicted Mr. Kapasi. It made him feel wrong and snapped him back to his reality.
In the short passage “Hills like White Elephants”, Jig, who is “the girl” seems to be dealing with an internal conflict. The girl is battling the heavy decision on having a abortion for the American or not. Jig subtly hints how she might want to keep the fetus however, the man doesn't comprehend. In the story it says, “The girl looked across at the hills. "They're lovely hills," she said. "They don't really look like white elephants. I just meant the coloring of their skin through the trees." (Hemingway, 230). Without actually saying she doesnt want a abortion she says it through comparing the hills to white elephants. What she is really alluding to is the hills resemble a baby bump and she wants to keep the fetus. Opposingly, all the American is doing is encouraging the abortion when it is clear Jig doesnt feel too comfortable about it. The short story reads, “And if I do it you'll be happy and things will be like they were and you'll love me?" "I love you now. You know I love you." "I know. But if I do it, then it will be nice again if I say things are like white elephants, and you'll like it?" … “You know how I get when I worry.” "If I do it you won't ever worry?" (Hemingway, 231). This quote shows how Jig would do anything for the American even if she isn't sure how she feels. Quite possibly when she says she'll compare things to white elephants she could be referring to if she gets pregnant again will it be okay next time. All in all, if it means the American will be content then the girl would sacrifice herself for him. The readers don’t know if Jig will go through with the operation, the conflict between the two characters remains, seeing as there was no resolution.
Many situations we encounter today have conflicts that revolve around ourselves. We are the main characters in our own world constantly struggling with self doubts, what's morally correct, good vs evil. Some everyday scenarios that individuals have psychological battles with is substance abuse. Someone who may be recovering could be going through a tough time emotionally or financially which causes a spiral of relapse in some instances. To drink or not to drink? Another example would be peer pressure or obligation to drink. If a recovering alcoholic is out with their friends and sees everyone having a great time and drinking they might feel left out and want to drink. Or maybe someone in the friend group tempts the recovering individual and says “One drink can’t hurt.”. A person may find themselves extremely conflicted in situations like this which makes them feel like they have a devil and angel on each shoulder. Alongside everyday life, many famous movies, shows and books have examples of man vs self. Just to name a few, Tangled, Rapanzel struggles with wanting to leave her tower to explore the world and staying where she is comfortable. In The Grinch, he has a struggle with being miserable around Christmas until finally at the end of the movie he becomes happy. As for books, “The Goldfinch”, Theo steals a very expensive painting and innerally struggles with the secret for years dealing with the morality of the situation. Man vs Self is expressed throughout many genres and art forms and not restricted to any individual.
The psychological struggle with Man vs Self is displayed clearly from each short story. The inner conflict with Mr. Kapasi figuring out his true feelings and stepping away from his fantasy that he created. Jig fights with the decision for an operation to satisfy the American or to go against his wishes and keep the fetus. Both stories share a similarity through resolution and a strong sense of inner conflict.
Work Cited
Hemingway, E. (1927). The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway.
The inner struggle between man vs. self. ProWritingAid. (n.d.). Retrieved May 2, 2022, from https://prowritingaid.com/man-vs-self
Lahiri, J. (1999). Interpreter of maladies.
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