The relationship between Mr. Pirzada and Lilia is an interesting one. Mr. Pirzada is very kind and affectionate towards Lilia. Lilia, on the other hand, has mixed feelings towards Mr. Pirzada during the beginning of the story, but comes to love him by the end. Candy plays in important role in their relationship.
At the beginning of the story, Lilia describes her first impressions of Mr. Pirzada, saying that she "was charmed by the presence of Mr. Pirzada's rotund elegance, and flattered by the faint theatricality of his attestations, yet unsettled by the superb ease of his gestures, which made [her] feel, for an instant, like a stranger in [her] own home" (29). Lilia seems to like Mr. Pirzada, but at the same time doesn't quite feel comfortable with him yet.
Mr. Pirzada is fond of Lilia right from the beginning of the story. He brings her the chocolate because he believes that she "incapable of spoiling" (29). The way I read it, he almost seems like an uncle, in some ways. He gives Lilia chocolate and expects nothing in return, not even a "thank you," he carves the jack-o'-lantern with her, and offers to watch over her while she goes trick-or-treating.
Mr. Pirzada's candies always have a special meaning to Lilia, as even before she learns about his family, she keeps the treats in a nice box and treats them like jewels. I think she realizes that Mr. Pirzada cares about her, so she should be thankful for his gifts.
After Lilia learns about Mr. Pirzada's family, the candies take on a deeper meaning. For the first time in her life, Lilia actually prays. After praying for the well-being of Mr. Pirzadah's family for a few nights, Lilia finally has the courage to comfort Mr. Pirzada in person and tells him not to worry. The candy helps her realize that she cares about him and his family.
I think the candy helps represent another different in American and Indian culture. In America, when we give gifts, we expect something in return. An eye for an eye in a way. But, in India, one can give gifts just for the sake of showing that they care. I feel like this is the case with Mr. Pirzada, for he cannot see his daughters at that moment, he can treasure his tie with Lilia and her family, which helps him cope with being separated from his own.
ReplyDeleteMr. Pirzada needed someone to direct his paternal love to after he had been separated from his daughters. So, he shows all of his affection towards Lilia. Lilia, on the other hand, has a full and stable family, and doesn't need someone to love. But she grows to realize that she really appreciated Mr. Pirzada's presence.
ReplyDeleteThe comparison of Mr. Pirzada resembling an uncle to Lilia in the story is certainly a valid one. The way he acts towards Lilia, as you say, takes on this overly affectionate, simply nice form. The difference is that Mr. Pirzada, unlike an uncle, leaves AMerica and returns home at the end of the story, leaving Lilia with the stark reality that she will never see him again. Suddenly, she would never again see someone who she had grown to love and for the first time prayed for. This is why, at the end of the story, she throws away the rest of the Halloween candy instead of saving it and eating it like she did with Mr. Pirzada's.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a kid, certain friends/neighbors of my parents (to whom I was not related) were known as "Uncle" and "Aunt." Mr. Pirzada definitely fits this mold for Lila. His polite formality is a distinguishing feature of his character, though, and we wouldn't expect her to be so informal in her address. He remains "Mr. Pirzada," just as his presentation of the candy has a certain formal ritual to it.
DeleteI agree with Aarthi! I think Mr. Pirzada sees his daughters in Lilia. Since he can't love them and shower them in gifts, he does it to Lilia. In his mind, she's around the same age and probably looks like his daughters. I can only imagine what it's like for Mr. Pirzada to be away from his wife and seven daughters.
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