“The Import” by Jai Chakrabarti: A Cultural Critical Analysis

Jenny Meline

The United States provides so many opportunities that immigrants and people from other countries seek employment on visas to seek employment and have a better way of life. Many of these individuals are women. Some of the benefits are better pay than in their own country, new modern things such as appliances, and other opportunities.  The challenges for those who come here from other countries struggle with language barriers, culture shock, a loss of home, a loss of sense and discrimination. In the short story “The Import” by Jai Chakrabarti, the author shares the struggles, dreams and hopes of an Indian woman sent from India to nanny for a couple in America. The themes within the text are explored by the conflict between cultures, abuse of power, and infidelity. Her story enlightens the reader to the plight of Rupa.

Many immigrants come to America so that they can have a better life. In an interview with Anaya Chabra, Anya’s own grandfather moved to the states for a better job and better options for his family. “ Anaya’s maternal grandfather moved to Arlington, Virginia with Anaya’s grandmother, their two sons and Anaya’s mother…He came to the United States for a  better job and better opportunities” (httpsiir.gmu.edu). Some immigrants are separated from their families because they have to make money to send home or have to send money to their home country so the rest of the family can come to America. Rupa is working in America while her child remains in India. “ With the money she gets, she’ll start sending Lakshmi to private school” (https: web-p-ebscohost). Rupa’s employer, Raj was upset because he did not realize that Rupa had a child in India. He thought she was single without any connections to India other than being a servant in his mother’s house in Kolkata. “He had assumed that Rupa was unattached, not a mother herself. They’d contracted someone to watch their child while her own remained a world away.” (https: web-p-ebscohost). Raj’s empathy is an example of someone from the same culture bonding because they are from the same culture. The reader can feel empathy within those lines. In the article “Immigrant Indian Women, Vocation and Faith” Prakriti is described as an older women who also wanted to seek more opportunities in America and moved here on a dependent visa (https:solanetwork).

The author describes Rupa’s first week as experiencing the “modernity’s offerings”(https: web-p-ebscohost). “Their house in India knew little of modernity’s offering, so Rupa marveled at the many settings of the dishwasher and washing machine”(https: web-p-ebscohost). Imagine moving from a world where washing laundry or dishes is done by hand and then being in a place where a machine does everything. As exciting as it could be, it also could be a little scary.

Another aspect of  acculturation for Rupa is how she is “marveled at the ubiquity of every fruit and vegetable” (https//web-p-ebacohost) In India she may may have different types of vegetables and fruits in her country but it seems like she is more excited about what she sees in America. Anaya recalls as a child that as a child that her family acculturated  by celebrating Christmas and would have a barbecue instead of cooking Indian food (https: //lir.gmu.edu).

Rupa is treated like a second-class citizen and Raj does not even mention her by name “ Don’t worry. The Import’s there and she’s more responsible than both you and me,” he said. (https: web-p-ebscohost). Sometimes immigrants lose their identity. “Anya identifies that she and her family are Americans because they live here. She thinks that her parents are immigrants and will always be considered Indians (“ https:///lir )

Towards the end of the story the author makes ends the story which seems contradictory. In one aspect the author speaks of her as if she is nothing a “prisoner” and then says “she had come of her own intent”(“ https:///lir ).  It is as if the author is trying to say in one instance she was being treated like trash and on the instance she came to the country of her own accord and it’s her own fault that she’s being treated in such a manner. The last line “return them to where they belonged” (https://lir) seems to say Rupa does not belong in America. For Prakriti, the American dream does not seem like a possibility either “ The dream of moving to another country and exploring the American dream did not match reality” (https : sola.network).

The theme of conflict between cultures is one theme explored within the text. The first conflict is evident when Bethany makes a comment about Rupa “We can’t be who we were, this village girl or no” (https://web-p-ebscohost). Bethany is uncertain out of fear and protection for her child but she also does not trust Rupa and calls her a village girl which seems a bit of name calling and disrespectful. Later in the text there is another example of a conflict when Bethany is inquisitive about what Rupa eats “What does The Import eat? Bethany asked. (https://web-p-ebscohost ” Not only does Bethany once again disrespectfully name call and not call Rupa by her name but engaged her husband as well. Although he does not comment, he laughs along. His actions are ironic because he is from India. The last and most harmful example is when at the end of the story Rupa and Shay are stranded in a bot because of a lost oar. Bethany is naturally concerned for her child but lashes out at Rupa. “Behind them, he could see Rupa clearly; a cheap nose ring, a dark face in the pale light….Then you’d  have to return them to where they belonged” ((https://web-p-ebscohost). The description is not kind and to the idea to return someone to where they “belong” seems unkind.

Another theme that is explored is abuse of power. Raj’s mother does not seem to believe that Rupa’s separation from her child is a big deal and is being well compensated for her time. She is very insensitive.  Anyway, what does it matter? She has a history. All people do. That is why she is doing the job. With the money she gets, she’ll start sending Lakshmi to private school. Six months is not a long time, you know.” ((https://web-p-ebscohost).

The last theme that was analyzed was infidelity. Raj is having an affair with Molly, who he met in the park while running. “She was neither as pretty nor as worldy as Bethany, he came to discover, but she was better in bed” ((https://web-p-ebscohost). _“He realized he’d left his child –his precious, voluble creature in the hands of a person he barely knew. His job turned into a sprint.” ((https://web-p-ebscohost).

“The Import” brings attention to the plight of immigrants. Immigrants have dreams, and hopes for a better future or making a better future for their families. Many immigrants seek work in America and are taken advantage of and even abused. Assimilation into the United States for many can be difficult and often immigrants lose a sense of who they area and how to fit into their new culture. On a positive note, many immigrants are excited about what America has to offer such as Washing machines, dishwasher and the variety of foods to name a few positive notes.  Many employers abuse their power without care or understanding. Many citizens of the United States have immigrated from other countries and can empathize with a new immigrant. “The Import” also examines infidelity and troubles within a marriage, which influences how Rupa is treated and affects treatment of Rupa.

Works Cited:

How Indians View Gender Roles in Families and Society. Pew Research Center, 4 December 2024. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2022/03/02/how-indians-view-gender-roles-in-families-and-society/

Sarah Bradley. “ A first-person account of living and working in an orphanage”. https://www.scu.edu/ethics/focus-areas/more-focus-areas/resources/gender-and-culture-in-india/ Accessed 4, December 2024.

E.L.Sherene Joseph. “Immigrant Indian Women, Vocation  and Faith”. https://sola.network/article/immigrant-indian-women-vocation-and-faith/. August 9, 2023. Accessed 4,December 2024.

India : Summary of Interview with Anaya. Institute for  immigration research. https://iir.gmu.edu/immigrant-stories-dc-baltimore/india/summaries-of-interviews-with-indian-immigrants Accessed 4,December 2024

“The Import” by Jai Chakrabarti. https://web-p-ebscohost-com.cwi.idm.oclc.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=1&sid=cbfbe041-3c7a-4990-9a10-515a0addd30d%40redis Accessed 10, December 2024.