Unaccustomed Love and Grief

Abstract: “Unaccustomed Love and Grief” will provide an analysis of how gender, generation and culture affect the mourning process as represented in Jhumpa Lahiri’s “Unaccustomed Earth.” In addition, I will distinguish cultural traditions of mourning; whether it be specific to Bengali traditions or universal in the sense of loss. Lastly, “Unaccustomed Love and Grief” will establish modes of grieving reflected from different kinds of love. Utilizing Jhumpa Lahiri’s short stories Unaccustomed Earth and Years End will offer specific examples and concrete details to support the idea that grief manifests in distinct ways depending on culture and category of love toward the person lost