A Temporary Matter

This story captures elements of the Indian American experience, a recurring topic of Lahiri’s, while also navigating the interplay between love and loss. The story is told in the third-person omniscient from the point of view of Shukumar. In focusing on Shukumar in the Boston home, this “close third” narrative style steadily builds tension, underscores the growing divide between the couple, and allows for situational irony, in which events do not occur as expected.

Lahiri uses the electric company notices to frame the story. In the opening scene, Shoba regards the notice of power disruption as an annoyance. Later, on the fifth day, Shukumar regards the notice of completion as a disappointment. The titular “temporary matter” literally refers to the upcoming power outages. Figuratively, the title is also a metaphor for two possible marital outcomes: The “temporary matter” can refer to either the transitional period of grief the couple is experiencing, or it can refer to the end of Shoba and Shukumar’s marriage. In the story’s denouement, Lahiri does not clarify whether the couple’s marriage is truly over.