The central theme of the story focuses on the stark contrast between traditional Indians and modern Indians living in America, highlighting the cultural tensions that emerge from this division. On one side, we have Mrs. Dutta, who was raised as a traditional Indian wife. In India, she was taught to put her family's needs before her own and is used to waking up early to prepare breakfast. However, in America, her early morning routine bothers Shyamoli. ‘‘But the habit, taught her by her mother-in-law when she was a bride of seventeen, A good wife wakes before the rest of the household, is one she finds impossible to break.’’ This marks just the beginning of numerous cultural clashes Mrs. Dutta faces. On the other side are Shyamoli and Mrs. Dutta’s two grandchildren, who have fully embraced American culture. They have little appreciation for Mrs. Dutta’s traditional Indian meals and prefer American activities such as reading the Wall Street Journal or playing video games instead of listening to her stories. Meanwhile, Sagar is caught between these two worlds. He enjoys American activities like watching crime shows on TV but still values his mother's cooking and storytelling. He also wants to keep his Indian-American wife happy while fulfilling his responsibilities as a son to his Indian mother. This creates a significant conflict because he cannot fully support either woman. Ultimately, Sagar finds himself more aligned with his wife and family, leading Mrs. Dutta to understand that her place is not in America with her family but back in Calcutta with her friend, Mrs. Basu.

The narrative explores the roles of Indian women in both India and the United States. Both Shyamoli and Mrs. Dutta entered into arranged marriages, but their circumstances are dramatically different. In India, women are traditionally expected to prioritize their families, place their own needs last, and be obedient to their husbands and other male figures. The narrator points out that "Mrs. Dutta . . . had never, through the forty-two years of her marriage, addressed Sagar’s father by name." In addition, women are expected to live with a male relative rather than independently. After her husband's passing, Mrs. Dutta lived alone for a few years, which her family disapproved of. They were relieved when Sagar invited her to come to America, stating, "Good thing that boy of hers had come to his senses and called her to join him. Everyone knows a wife’s place is with her husband, and a widow’s is with her son."

In contrast, Indian women living in the United States, like Shyamoli, often enjoy the same freedoms as other American women. Shyamoli is not submissive to Sagar. She voices her frustrations, especially when Mrs. Dutta's behavior causes problems with their neighbor, saying, "I know having her here is important to you. But I can’t do it any longer. I just can’t. Some days I feel like taking the kids and leaving." Shyamoli is also independent from Sagar; she holds a job outside the home and expects Sagar to participate in household duties, which surprises Mrs. Dutta. Shyamoli insists, "Here in America we don’t believe in men’s work and women’s work. Don’t I work outside all day, just like Sagar?"

When Mrs. Dutta got married, she prioritized her husband and family's needs over her own. As a result, her happiness has become closely linked to how much others depend on her. She feels upset when she lets her son down, but when he agrees to her preparing him a snack, "it is as though merciful time has given...