When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine

“When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine”

• Genre: Fiction; historical short story
• Originally Published: 1999
• Reading Level/Interest: College/adult
• Structure/Length: Approx. 17 pages
• Protagonist and Central Conflict: In New England in 1971, 10-year-old Lilia’s parents, who moved from India, become friends with Mr. Pirzada, whose family is still in Pakistan. Lilia’s worldview changes as she gets to know Mr. Pirzada, watches the news of war in Pakistan, experiences racism from people around her, and reflects on choices she makes.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Wartime violence, genocide, sexual assault

Jhumpa Lahiri, Author

• Bio: Born in 1967 in London to Bengali parents; moved to the United States at 3; traveled often to spend time with relatives in Calcutta; lived in Rome; earned BA from Barnard College of Columbia University and MAs, MFA, and PhD from Boston University; writes short stories, novels, poetry; worked as college professor and translator; Pulitzer Prize and Hemingway Foundation PEN Award for Interpreter of Maladies (2000); National Humanities Medal (2014)
• Other Works: The Namesake (2003); Unaccustomed Earth (2008); The Lowland (2013); Il quaderno di Nerina (2020); Whereabouts (2021)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Unit:

• Coming of Age as a Second-Generation Immigrant
• Revolutionary Violence and American Insularity
• Rituals as Connection and Coping Mechanisms

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Unit, students will: