Cristen Bobb

English 2001 

Final Essay Dec 8, 2021

In this essay, I will explore the ethical decisions in the story “ Interpreter of Maladies “ by Jhumpa Lahiri, published in 1999 this story follows deontology ethics but not in the most straightforward way, it can also be said that later in the story the ethics/reasoning changes from Deontology to virtue ethics. Deontology ethics refers to an overall sense of duty or even obeying a set of rules that you swore to obey, virtue ethics on the other hand focuses on your own moral reasoning for doing anything from moral character, moral education, moral wisdom, friendship, and family relationships. Both of these ethics are important in Mr.Kapasi’s choice of career. In the “Interpreter of Maladies, “ the tour guide Mr.Kapasi leads Mr. and Ms. Das and family on a tour to the sun temple in Konarak, and along the way, Mr. Kapasi and Ms.Das have some alone time, and when they do the topic of conversation is Mr.Kapasi’s other job as an interpreter in a doctors office and as they unpack the reasoning behind his choices we are able to see how these ethics play a role in his decisions.