Interpreter of Maladies

To me, Mrs. Das requesting, then losing, Mr. Kapasi's address is symbolic. It symbolizes her gaining his affections, then losing them. At first, he is infatuated with her because of the obvious marital problems and what he sees as flirting on her part. This goes on for a while after she requests the address and he is fantasizing about the great conversations they will have. Then, she divulges more to him than he is ready to hear. The Indian culture is strict in the way they see the role of a wife and the life she is allowed and not allowed to live. Culturally, it is seen as disgraceful, as it is here, as well, I suppose, to have an affair while married. Because Mrs. Das admits to doing this, he loses a lot of respect for her, but also loses his infatuation with her. At the end of the story when the wind takes the address, it is symbolic of Mrs. Das also losing Mr. Kapasi's affections and respect at the same time.