It is clear that the Christian objects Twinkle finds in her new home play an important role in This Blessed House. I was constantly asking myself why so many treasures were left behind by the previous owners? It is obvious that they wanted the new occupants to know that they were Christian, but why? Did they know that Twinkle and Sanjeev were Hindu and hope to convert them to Christianity by leaving memorabilia?I can honestly say that I did not answer any of these questions . After reading the story, it became clear that Jhumpa Lahiri did not spend any time explaining why the objects were left behind. Those reasons were not important to the main point of the story.
Instead the relationship between the Christian artifacts and the strain they put on the young couple's relationship was a central theme. Although their marriage was not arranged we see first hand how different these two individuals are. Sanjeev is a quiet, traditional and uptight individual. In contrast, Twinkle is independent, easy going, and free spirited. With out love and respect for one another it is impossible to have a compatible relationship. Sanjeev himself states that "he did not know if he loved her...He said he did when she had first asked him...though she did not say if herself." I feel that it is because of this that Twinkle does not care about Sanjeev's feelings towards the Christian treasures and why Sanjeev can not understand and accept the personality traits of Twinkle. The story ends with Sanjeev's hate towards another one of the Christian treasures and Twinkles disregard to the feelings of her husband. One is left to wonder what would have happened if the story continued. Would their marriage hold strong or would their differences drive them apart? We'll never know.
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