Interpreter of Maladies

Sanjeev and Tanima (who goes by the nickname Twinkle) are a newly married couple who have bought their first home in Connecticut, and Sanjeev is in line for a vice-president position at his company despite being in his early thirties. While Sanjeev is working on home improvements, Twinkle finds a porcelain effigy of Christ next to an old bottle of vinegar. Sanjeev wants her to throw the effigy away, but she is hesitant, thinking it may be worth something and finding it pretty. Sanjeev says they are not Christian, and he is annoyed by her insistence on keeping it.

As they move into the house, they keep finding more Christian paraphernalia, which Twinkle keeps on the mantle. Sanjeev thinks they should throw it all away or call the realtor, but Twinkle refuses, and she is eager to find more items in the house. When she finds a poster of Christ, she insists on hanging it in her study, offering the compromise that she’ll hang it on the door so that guests won’t see it when they come over for the housewarming party.

While she does this, Sanjeev listens to Mahler and appreciates the symphony, but Twinkle says it’s putting her to sleep.