Kapasi and selfishness

        Interpreter of Maladies by Lahiri displays the inner feelings of selfishness of Mr. Kapasi. Mr. Kapasi is a tour guide in India and is currently offering a tour for an American family. He sees the poor relationship between Mr. and Mrs. Das. As he is driving them across India, he envisions himself with Mrs. Das. He imagines being with her and making her feel happy unlike the way she is with Raj. He plans his affair out. He believes that once they leave for America in ten days, "he would hear from Mrs. Das in approximately six weeks' time." (Lahiri, 159). His situation becomes worse as he learns that Mrs. Das has already had an affair and that Bobby is not Raj's son. Now, he is tied between trying to end the marriage between the Das's or doing the right thing and trying to get them back together. He is not given the chance, however, because he infuriates Mrs. Das with a question about guilt. In the end, Kapasi sees that his selfishness got the best of him and he needs to let it go. With the symbolism of the paper leaving Mrs. Das's purse, Kapasi needs to let go of his selfishness and move on with his happy life.