”Doors” by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

           ”Doors” by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
(Reference Material)

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's "Arranged Marriage" is a collection of short stories that explores the subject of traditional Eastern arranged marriages. Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's prose has been praised for its ability to transform the outer world into reflections of the soul, and her stories have been described as unforgettable portraits of women on the verge of transformation. The collection of stories focuses on immigrants from India caught between two worlds, with characters struggling to carve out an identity of their own.

"Doors" is a short story by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni that explores the challenges and complexities of cross-cultural marriages. The plot revolves around the following key events:

Introduction: The story begins with Preeti, an American-born woman, and Deepak, an Indian man, who have recently got married. Preeti's family is worried about her choice of spouse, as they believe that an arranged marriage would have been more suitable. However, Preeti believes that her love for Deepak is stronger than any arranged marriage.

Cultural differences: Preeti and Deepak have different cultural backgrounds, which leads to several conflicts in their marriage. Preeti struggles with Deepak's traditional Indian customs, such as communal living and male dominance.

Closing doors: Preeti finds it difficult to adjust to Deepak's customs and decides to shut herself off from them by closing doors to her rooms and in her mind. This results in a breakdown of their communication and intimacy.

Breaking point: The story reaches a breaking point when Preeti discovers that Deepak has been unfaithful to her. This revelation leads to her questioning her entire marriage and the future of her relationship with Deepak.

Conclusion: The story concludes with Preeti deciding to leave Deepak and return to her life in the United States. This decision is influenced by her desire for independence and the inability to reconcile her American values with Deepak's Indian customs.

Throughout the story, "Doors" explores themes of cultural differences, love, and the challenges of maintaining a cross-cultural marriage. The narrative highlights the importance of understanding and respecting each other's cultural backgrounds and the potential consequences of cultural clashes in a relationship.

 Characters –

The short story "Doors" by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni features two main characters, Preeti and Deepak. Preeti is an American-born woman who marries Deepak, an Indian man. The story explores the challenges and complexities of cross-cultural marriages and the impact of cultural differences on relationships. Preeti is the protagonist of the story, and her character is developed through her struggles to adjust to Deepak's traditional Indian customs, such as communal living and male dominance. Preeti finds it difficult to accept Deepak's tolerance for nosy friends and struggles to reconcile her American values with Deepak's Indian customs. She desires privacy and independence, which she feels are not possible in Deepak's communal living arrangements. Preeti's character is also defined by her decision to close the doors to her rooms and in her mind, shutting herself off from Deepak's customs, which leads to the breakdown of their communication and intimacy.

Deepak is the other main character in the story, and his character is developed through his attempts to understand and accommodate Preeti's needs. However, he is unable to fully comprehend her desire for privacy and independence, which leads to conflicts in their marriage. Deepak's character is also defined by his infidelity, which leads to the breakdown of their marriage. On the whole, the story "Doors" explores the themes of cultural differences, love, and the challenges of maintaining a cross-cultural marriage. The narrative highlights the importance of understanding and respecting each other's cultural backgrounds and the potential consequences of cultural clashes in a relationship.

 Theme –

The theme of the short story "Doors" by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni revolves around the challenges and complexities of cross-cultural marriages, the clash between traditional and modern values, and the struggle for independence within a marital relationship. The story discusses the following themes:

Cultural Clash: The story highlights the clash between traditional Indian customs and modern American values. Preeti, an American-born woman, finds it challenging to adapt to Deepak's traditional Indian customs, such as communal living and male dominance. This clash of cultures becomes a central theme in the story, affecting the dynamics of Preeti and Deepak's relationship.

Independence and Privacy: Another prominent theme is the desire for independence and privacy within a marital relationship. Preeti's struggle to maintain her independence and privacy, symbolized by the closing of doors, reflects the broader theme of individual autonomy within the context of marriage. The story explores the tension between the need for personal space and the expectations of communal living in traditional Indian culture.

Marital Struggles: The theme of marital struggles, particularly in the face of cultural differences, is evident throughout the story. Preeti and Deepak's marriage is tested by their inability to reconcile their cultural backgrounds, leading to conflicts and ultimately the breakdown of their relationship. The narrative sheds light on the challenges faced by couples in cross-cultural marriages and the impact of these struggles on their emotional well-being

Cross-Cultural Crisis: The story contemplates the issue of cross-cultural crisis within personal relationships. It explores how geographical and cultural differences contribute to the mode of relationship and the challenges that arise from such differences. The narrative focuses on the life of Preeti, a "westernized Indian," and her husband Deepak, an "Indianized American," and how their marital life suffers a crisis due to these cultural disparities

 "Doors"  explores the themes of cultural clash, independence and privacy, marital struggles, and cross-cultural crisis, offering a nuanced exploration of the complexities inherent in cross-cultural marriages and the impact of cultural differences on personal relationships.

 

 Q- How does the theme of culture clash manifest in the story "Doors"

The theme of cultural clash is central to the story "Doors" by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. The story explores the challenges and complexities of cross-cultural marriages and the impact of cultural differences on relationships. The theme of cultural clash manifests in the story in several ways:

Traditional Indian customs vs. modern American values: Preeti, an American-born woman, struggles to adapt to Deepak's traditional Indian customs, such as communal living and male dominance. This clash of cultures becomes a central theme in the story, affecting the dynamics of Preeti and Deepak's relationship.

A desire for independence and privacy: Preeti's desire for independence and privacy, symbolized by the closing of doors, reflects the broader theme of individual autonomy within the context of marriage. The story explores the tension between the need for personal space and the expectations of communal living in traditional Indian culture.

Cross-cultural crisis: The story contemplates the issue of cross-cultural crisis within personal relationships. It explores how geographical and cultural differences contribute to the mode of relationship and the challenges that arise from such differences. The narrative focuses on the life of Preeti, a "Westernized Indian," and her husband Deepak, an "Indianized American," and how their marital life suffers a crisis due to these cultural disparities

Communication breakdown: The cultural clash between Preeti and Deepak leads to a breakdown in communication and intimacy. Preeti's decision to close doors to her rooms and in her mind, shutting herself off from Deepak's customs, leads to the breakdown of their communication and intimacy.

Thus, the theme of cultural clash in "Doors" highlights the challenges and complexities inherent in cross-cultural marriages and the impact of cultural differences on personal relationships. The narrative sheds light on the importance of understanding and respecting each other's cultural backgrounds and the potential consequences of cultural clashes in a relationship.

 Q- How does the story show the communication gap?

The story "Doors" by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni shows the communication gap through the following aspects:

Cultural differences: Preeti and Deepak have different cultural backgrounds, which leads to conflicts in their marriage. Their inability to understand each other's cultural preferences and expectations results in miscommunication and frustration.

Desire for privacy: Preeti's desire for privacy and independence is a significant factor in the communication gap between her and Deepak. She symbolically closes doors to her rooms and in her mind, shuts herself off from Deepak's customs, which leads to the breakdown of their communication and intimacy.

Inability to compromise: Both Preeti and Deepak struggle to compromise on their cultural and personal preferences, which contributes to the communication gap in their relationship. Their inability to find common ground and respect each other's differences leads to misunderstandings and conflicts.

Lack of emotional expression: The story highlights the emotional distance between Preeti and Deepak, which is a result of their cultural clash and the communication gap. Their inability to express their emotions and feelings openly contributes to the breakdown of their relationship.

Thus, the story "Doors" showcases the communication gap through the cultural differences, desire for privacy, inability to compromise, and lack of emotional expression between the main characters, Preeti and Deepak. These factors contribute to the breakdown of their communication and the eventual end of their marriage.

 What are some examples of physical barriers to communication in the story?

In the story "Doors" by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, there are examples of physical barriers to communication that contribute to the breakdown of the relationship between the main characters, Preeti and Deepak. These examples include:

Closed doors: Preeti's symbolic act of closing doors to her rooms and in her mind represents a physical barrier to communication. This action reflects her desire for privacy and independence, which creates a literal and metaphorical barrier between her and Deepak, hindering their ability to communicate effectively.

Communal living environment: The communal living environment, a traditional Indian custom, acts as a physical barrier to communication between Preeti and Deepak. The lack of personal space and privacy due to communal living creates a tangible obstacle to open and effective communication within their marriage.

These physical barriers, such as closed doors and the communal living environment, contribute to the communication gap and emotional distance between Preeti and Deepak, ultimately impacting the dynamics of their relationship.

 How does the theme of privacy affect communication in the story?

The theme of privacy significantly affects communication in the story "Doors" by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. Preeti's desire for privacy and independence becomes a central element that impacts the communication dynamics in her marriage with Deepak. The theme of privacy affecting communication is evident in the following ways:

Cultural clash and privacy: Preeti, after moving to the United States, has come to love the Western idea of privacy. She faces a cultural clash when she struggles to accept her Indian husband's tolerance for nosy friends and communal living, which infringes upon her desire for privacy

Closed doors as a metaphor: The story uses closed doors as a metaphor for Preeti's desire for privacy and independence. Her symbolic act of closing doors to her rooms and in her mind represents a physical and emotional barrier that affects communication with Deepak

Impact on marital relationship: Preeti's yearning for privacy and independence, as well as her struggle to accept Deepak's cultural customs, leads to a breakdown in communication and intimacy within their marriage. The theme of privacy directly influences the emotional distance and communication gap between Preeti and Deepak.

Thus, the theme of privacy significantly affects communication in the story "Doors" by highlighting the clash between cultural expectations regarding privacy, the impact of closed doors as a metaphor for emotional barriers, and the resulting breakdown in communication and intimacy within Preeti and Deepak's marriage.

 How do physical barriers, such as noise and architecture, impact communication in the story "Doors" by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni?

In the story "Doors," physical barriers like noise and architecture can symbolize the cultural and emotional obstacles that hinder effective communication between Preeti and Deepak. For example, the communal living environment and the lack of personal space due to architectural constraints can be seen as physical barriers that contribute to the breakdown of communication and intimacy in their marriage.

 What are some examples of physical barriers to communication in "Doors," and how do they affect the characters' ability to communicate effectively?

In "Doors," the communal living environment and the lack of privacy act as physical barriers to effective communication between Preeti and Deepak. These barriers impact their ability to express themselves openly and understand each other's perspectives, contributing to the communication gap and emotional distance in their relationship.

How does the theme of physical barriers to communication, such as noise and message distortion, relate to the broader theme of cultural clash in the story "Doors"?

The theme of physical barriers to communication, such as noise and message distortion, can be linked to the broader theme of cultural clash in "Doors." For instance, the distortion of messages due to cultural differences and the presence of environmental noise can symbolize the challenges faced by Preeti and Deepak in understanding each other's cultural backgrounds and communicating effectively within their cross-cultural marriage.

 How does the story "Doors" reflect broader cultural attitudes towards communication and privacy in Indian and American cultures?

The story "Doors" by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni reflects broader cultural attitudes towards communication and privacy in Indian and American cultures in the following ways:

Cultural Contrast: The story serves as a classic example of the contrast between the cultures of India and the West. It portrays the challenges faced by individuals navigating the differences in communication and privacy norms between these two cultural contexts.

Alienation and Communication: The story delves into the theme of alienation and communication in married life, shedding light on the impact of cultural differences on interpersonal relationships. It explores how the protagonist struggles to navigate the cultural disparities and establish her own identity within the context of communication and privacy.

Cultural Identity: The narrative presents a perfect blend of Western and Indian cultures, reflecting the vague notion that things are not entirely harmonious between the American-Indian couple's home front. It explores the challenges of establishing a bicultural identity and the pride associated with revealing one's cultural identity.

Social Realities of Indian Americans: The story resonates with the social realities of Indian Americans, highlighting the complexities of navigating multiple identities linked to their country of origin and their country of settlement. It addresses questions about ethnic identity, perceptions of belonging, and the challenges of cultural adaptation.

Privacy and Communication Styles: The story portrays the protagonist's love for the Western idea of privacy after moving to the United States, reflecting the differences in communication styles and privacy norms between Indian and American cultures. It highlights the struggle to reconcile these contrasting cultural attitudes within the context of personal relationships.

Thus, "Doors" provides a nuanced exploration of the broader cultural attitudes towards communication and privacy in Indian and American cultures, offering insights into the challenges, pride, and complexities associated with navigating cultural differences within the context of interpersonal relationships.

 What lessons can be learned from the communication breakdown in "Doors" about the importance of effective communication and cultural understanding in personal relationships?

Lessons from the communication breakdown in "Doors" about the importance of effective communication and cultural understanding in personal relationships can be drawn from the story's portrayal of the challenges faced by the characters due to cultural disparities. The story underscores the significance of the following lessons:

Cultural Sensitivity: The communication breakdown in "Doors" emphasizes the importance of cultural sensitivity and understanding in personal relationships. It highlights the need for individuals to be aware of and respectful towards each other's cultural backgrounds to foster effective communication and mutual understanding.

Open Communication: The story underscores the value of open and transparent communication in navigating cultural differences within personal relationships. It emphasizes the need for individuals to express their thoughts, feelings, and cultural perspectives openly to bridge the communication gap and foster empathy.

Empathy and Listening: The communication breakdown in "Doors" underscores the significance of empathy and active listening in overcoming cultural barriers. It highlights the need for individuals to listen attentively and empathetically to each other's perspectives, thereby fostering a deeper understanding of cultural differences and enhancing communication.

Adaptation and Compromise: The story emphasizes the importance of adaptation and compromise in personal relationships characterized by cultural disparities. It underscores the need for individuals to be flexible and willing to adapt to each other's cultural norms, thereby fostering effective communication and harmony within the relationship.

Thus, the communication breakdown in "Doors" offers valuable lessons about the importance of cultural sensitivity, open communication, empathy, active listening, adaptation, and compromise in fostering effective communication and cultural understanding within personal relationships.

 

Some more questions -

·         How does the cultural clash between Preeti and Deepak affect their ability to communicate effectively?

·         What role does the communal living environment play in the communication breakdown between Preeti and Deepak?

·         How does Preeti's desire for privacy and independence impact her communication with Deepak?

·         What are some examples of miscommunication between Preeti and Deepak in the story?

·         How does the breakdown of communication between Preeti and Deepak contribute to the eventual end of their marriage?

·         What could Preeti and Deepak have done differently to improve their communication and overcome their cultural differences?

·         How does the theme of communication relate to the broader themes of cultural identity and cross-cultural crisis in the story?

·         What are some of the consequences of the communication gap between Preeti and Deepak, both for their relationship and for their individual emotional well-being?