In “A Temporary Matter,” Jhumpa Lahiri creates an apartment that lives through the past actions and current stagnation of its inhabitants. Whether by Shoba's "endless sealed pyramids", composed of now-consumed scraps, or by the "lace she once planned to turn into curtains", the decor is full of reminders of busier, life-filled times. 'hope. The present is defined more by inaction, the lack of apparent action; instead of working, Shukumar reads a novel we know nothing about, and as Shoba works more and more overtime, that money goes nowhere in Shukumar's sight. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay The apartment is largely defined by Shoba's actions, not Shukumar's; the way she takes off her school bag and her shoes, the way she pays her bills, the way she cooks. To that end, he might as well live in his world. Much of the story comes from his memory and reflections, all of which bring home the realization that the house distinctly belongs to Shoba. This awareness and this stagnation are accompanied by a reluctance to change, even if the apartment has been staged as a transitional "elsewhere" that even Shoba now treats "as if it were a hotel ". “For some reason,” the narrator says of the room that was to shelter their baby, to give him a better life, “the room didn’t haunt him the way it haunted Shoba.” Something changes when the lights go out. A world that seems to float in timelessness moving backwards and forwards in the light darkens at exactly eight o'clock. Shukumar and Shoba now feel that they can, perhaps should, talk to each other in ways they never would otherwise, but as a couple they are "supposed to." Thus, the nocturnal ritual is anchored in time and social tradition. This is coupled with the change of scenery to add tension to their nights, as the conditions of the setting create tension even without direct, explosive conflict..