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Jacquelyn Fedyk
Mr. Hakim
English 9
6 October 2014
Unexpected Guest
Mahatma Gandhi declares, A nations culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its
people. Gandhis words not only apply to our world but to Lilia and Mr.Pirzadas world in the
short-story When Mr.Pirzada Came to Dine. Lilia is a ten-year-old Indian girl. Her family has
a regular dinner guest to dine at Lilias house each night, Mr.Pirzada. Mr.Pirzada is from Dacca,
then a part of Pakistan. He lives there with his wife and seven daughters whose names all start
with the letter A and because of the war in India he does not hear from them for a while.
Mr.Pirzada has a grant to study the foliage of New England. His grant is too small therefore he
comes to Lilias house to eat and watch the news. In the short story, When Mr.Pirzada Came to
Dine, Lahiri demonstrates hope for the good for humanity bringing people together despite
cultural and religious differences. Lahiri develops this theme through Mr.Pirzada growing
relationship with the family while visiting from abroad.

The characters Lilia and Mr.Pirzada grow closer and closer throughout this short story.
Lilia and her friend went trick or treating by themselves, which Mr.Pirzada was concerned about.
Perhaps I should accompany them? Mr.Pirzada suggested (Lahiri 6). Here, Mr.Pirzada cares
for Lilia just like one of his daughters. Lilia gradually grew accustom to Mr.Pirzada, then
eventually cared very much about him. I prayed that Mr.Pirzadas family was safe and sound. I
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had never prayed for anything before (4). Lilias actions show that she has a good spot in her
heart for Mr.Pirzada and his family even though she hasnt met them before.

Putting their cultural differences aside Mr.Pirzada and the family still have a great
relationship. Mr.Pirzada became so accustom to going over to their house: The next evening
Mr.Pirzada arrived, as usual, at six o clock. (2). Mr.Pirzadas arrival at his usual time every
night demonstrates how close he is to the family and its the only thing thats stable for him in
his life right now. Despite all of their differences, Mr.Pirzada and my parents spoke the same
language, laughed at the same jokes, looked more or less the same. (1). Therefore they have
many similar personalities and get along even though they have a different culture.

The characters in this short story all grew a strong relationship with one another.
Mr.Pirzada, Lilia, and the parents all grew closer and closer. Lilia, a ten-year-old Indian girl,
never even met Mr.Pirzadas family yet she still prayed for them. Even though Lilia is only ten
years old she still has a big heart for him and of course his family. No matter how old you are
you should always keep your mind open to meeting new people even if they are different or have
a different culture/religion.






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Works Cited
Lahiri, Jhumpa. "When Mr.Pirzada Came to Dine." Interpreter of Maladies. Boston: Mariner,
1999. 1-7. Print.