Lahiri: This Blessed House

Jhumpa Lahiri's short story, "This Blessed House," tells the story of a newly wed Indian American couple Sanjeev and Twinkle. In this story, the couple has recently moved into a new home after their wedding in India and discovers various items of Christian paraphernalia left behind by the previous owners in their new home. These various items bring out different reactions from the couple; Sanjeev finds these items ridiculous and wants to be rid of them immediately whereas his wife, Twinkle, finds the items to be good luck and insists on holding onto them. The importance of these items is shown in how they bring out the differences in Sanjeev and Twinkle. Upon the discovery of these items, Sanjeev is very adamant about being rid of them because he is afraid of what his colleagues will think when they come to the housewarming party they will be hosting. "Twinkle, I can't have the people I work with see this statue on my lawn," (Lahiri 147). Sanjeev says this in response to Twinkle's insistence on keeping a statue of the Virgin Mary she found in their backyard.  The effect that these items have on Twinkle is quite the opposite. She believes that these things bring good luck to their household and that every time she finds a new piece it is like a "treasure hunt." She is even able to involve her husband's guests at their housewarming party with her enthusiasm to where they begin to search for items around the house (Lahiri 153-157). The differences between the couple cause Sanjeev to question whether or not he loves Twinkle although he told her he did when she asked him before their marriage. In the end, however, he seems to agree to follow her despite how feels about the things she wants to hold on to.