The Third and Final Continent by Jhumpa Lahiri

The Third and Final Continent by Jhumpa Lahiri

UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT

1. Indicate the details that tell us that the narrator was not very financially comfortable during his stay in London.

Answer: The story gives us many hints that the narrator was struggling with money during his time in London. He couldn't afford comfortable travel, so he had to go by third-class cabin on the ship. To save money, he shared a single room with several Bengali friends, and they lived very simply - using newspapers instead of real tablecloths and sharing basic meals. His weekend activities also show he didn't have much money to spend - he would just walk around barefoot and drink tea, instead of doing more expensive activities.

2. How did the narrator adjust to the ways of life first in London and then in Cambridge, U.S.A.?

Answer: The narrator adapted to life in two very different cities. In London, he managed by working at a library to cover his basic needs while taking classes at LSE after work. He lived simply with roommates, eating basic meals like egg curry. When he moved to the USA, his life changed - he was married now and had a university job, but still faced challenges. His YMCA apartment was small and noisy with poor air flow, and he couldn't cook there. This meant eating lots of cornflakes and milk for meals. Even though he had a job, he still lived frugally, like a student, to make ends meet.

3. What do you understand of the character of Mrs. Croft from the story?

Answer: Mrs. Croft was a complex character who changed as the story went on. When the narrator first met her, she came across as quite strict and controlling, with firm rules about rent payments and visitors. She would often ask direct questions, like whether someone was from Harvard or Tech, showing she could be a bit judgmental. But as time passed and the narrator got to know her better, especially after learning she was 103 years old, she became softer and more approachable. Their relationship grew warmer with time.

4. What kind of a relationship did Mrs Croft share with her daughter Helen?

Answer: Mrs. Croft and her daughter Helen had an unusual mother-daughter relationship. Instead of being very emotional or affectionate, they had a practical, almost business-like way of dealing with each other. Helen would visit her mother on a regular schedule to help out with various tasks. While they clearly cared about each other, they showed their love through actions and helping each other rather than through obvious displays of emotion.

5. How does the narrator bring out the contrast between the Indian way of life and American society? Do you think his wife Mala adjusted comfortably to the new way of life?

Answer: The narrator noticed big differences between Indian and American lifestyles, especially in how people dressed and behaved. When his wife Mala first arrived in America, she had a hard time adjusting to these differences. She felt homesick and everything seemed strange to her at first. But as time went on, she gradually got used to American life and found her place in this new culture. The story shows how people can adapt to new ways of living, even when they're very different from what they're used to.

6. How does the bond of affection between Mrs Croft and the narrator evolve?

Answer: The relationship between Mrs. Croft and the narrator grew into a touching friendship. He would show his care by making soup for her and helping take care of her needs. A particularly special moment in their friendship was when Mrs. Croft met Mala and approved of her. Over time, their landlord-tenant relationship developed into something much more meaningful, showing how friendships can form between people despite their differences in age and background.