22 Why does Jhumpa Lahiri end "The Third and Final Continent" by describing the narrator' considered. uture? [10 Marks]

Jhumpa Lahiri ends "The Third and Final Continent" with the narrator's reflections on his future, and specifically his evolving relationship with his wife Mala, for several key reasons:1. **Highlighting the immigrant experience:** The story traces the narrator's journey from India to England and finally to America. Ending with his settled life and growing connection to Mala signifies his successful adaptation to a new continent and culture. It suggests that despite the initial strangeness and loneliness, he has found a place to call home and build a future. This resonates with the broader immigrant experience of seeking stability and belonging in a foreign land.2. **Emphasizing the power of human connection:** The initial stages of the narrator's marriage are marked by formality and distance. He adheres to traditional customs and expectations, while Mala remains largely an enigma. The ending, however, reveals a gradual shift. He begins to see Mala not just as his wife, but as an individual with her own thoughts, feelings, and aspirations. Their shared experiences, like caring for Mrs. Croft, create a bond of intimacy and understanding. This underscores the story's theme of human connection transcending cultural barriers and initial awkwardness.3. **Contrasting past and present:** Throughout the story, the narrator reflects on his past, particularly his mother and his life in India. These memories represent a sense of loss and displacement. By ending with his future, Lahiri emphasizes the narrator's movement forward. He acknowledges the importance of his past but also embraces the possibilities of his present and future life with Mala. This contrast highlights the immigrant experience of navigating between two worlds.4. **Suggesting hope and optimism:** The narrator's reflections on his future are tinged with hope and optimism. He expresses a sense of contentment and anticipation for the years to come with Mala. This positive outlook contrasts with the initial uncertainty and challenges he faced upon arriving in America. The ending suggests that despite the difficulties of adapting to a new culture, it is possible to find happiness and build a fulfilling life.5. **Illustrating personal growth:** The narrator's evolving relationship with Mala reflects his personal growth. He sheds his initial reserve and embraces vulnerability, allowing himself to connect with her on a deeper level. This demonstrates his capacity for change and adaptation, essential qualities for navigating the immigrant experience. The ending showcases his maturity and emotional development.6. **Focusing on the ordinary:** The future the narrator envisions is not filled with grand achievements or dramatic events. It is centered on the simple joys of everyday life with Mala – watching the moon landing, sharing meals, and growing old together. This focus on the ordinary emphasizes the profound significance of human connection and the quiet beauty of a life built on love and companionship. It suggests that true happiness can be found in the mundane moments of shared existence.By ending "The Third and Final Continent" with the narrator's hopeful vision of the future, Lahiri leaves the reader with a sense of closure and a powerful message about the resilience of the human spirit, the importance of connection, and the possibility of finding home in unexpected places.