Language

The theme of language and Jhumpa’s relationship with language is the most significant theme in this story. The plot of the book features Jhumpa’s desire to learn to read, write and speak Italian. It details her journey as she struggles with the challenges of learning Italian and celebrates her milestones. Throughout the book, her relationships with languages - including Bengali and English - are discussed.

Jhumpa decides she wants to learn Italian when she first visits the country of Italy with her sister in 1994. She feels an unexplainable connection with the language that sparks her desire to learn it. Because she lives in America, Jhumpa struggles to learn the language she has decided she loves because after she has learned the basics of grammar and vocabulary there is no one with whom she can practice conversing.

Perhaps most challenging of Jhumpa’s desire to learn the...