A Temporary Matter

Food symbolizes a connection to a cultural past, and this is exactly the case with Shoba in particular. When Shukumar cooks, he is using family recipes that Shoba improved. This shows the way in which second-generation Indian American immigrants have retained elements of their past while assimilating to their new culture. Additionally, Shukumar’s cooking during the outages is a motif that supports the themes of Intimacy and Marriage as well as Deception. A home-cooked meal can be an incredibly intimate thing, as it is a clear reflection of love and effort manifested in a nourishing outcome that is often shared. While Shukumar laments the gift of a sweater vest for his third wedding anniversary, he fondly recalls that Shoba had cooked him a 10-course dinner for their first anniversary. As Shukumar takes up the daily cooking for the couple, he feels uninspired to continue cooking but does it anyway. This mentality toward preparing the food mirrors the attitude he has toward his marriage: He will continue it for the sake of ease, but it is not something he is invested in.