Introduction

"A Wife's Story" is a short story by Indian-born American writer Bharati Mukherjee. Published in 1988 within her collection The Middleman and Other Stories, the story explores themes of cultural identity, immigration, and the complexities of marriage.

Set in New York City, a vibrant hub of cultural exchange, the narrative follows Panna, a middle-aged woman who has left behind her traditional life in India to pursue a doctorate in special education. This bold move throws her into a world far removed from her arranged marriage and the expectations of Indian society. This brief yet intimate story invites readers to consider the experiences of immigrants who bridge cultures and the impact on personal lives and relationships.

Plot Summary

Panna attends a play by David Mamet. The play features racist jokes, with a character insulting Indian immigrants. Panna feels singled out and targeted by the play's humor, especially as she's one of the few Indian people in the audience.

Panna is frustrated by the play's casual prejudice. Back home, such a play would not be tolerated. Here, the audience laughs along, making her feel invisible and disgusted. She wants to express anger but feels trapped by her upbringing, which taught her to keep emotions hidden. Despite feeling deeply hurt, Panna stays in her seat, unable to bring herself to make a scene.

She reflects on her complicated position. Having lived in both India and the United States, Panna understands both the perspective of the immigrants being stereotyped and the frustration of the struggling salesmen in the play. She feels caught between these two worlds.

Panna's husband lives in India. Sitting beside her at the theater is Imre, her friend from a seminar. He is married with kids back in Hungary. They are both immigrants navigating a new life in the United States.

After the play ends, Imre and Panna walk down the street together. Although he also finds the show in poor taste, he tries to console Panna by telling her, "You have to let go a bit." To lighten the mood, he starts to dance in the street. Despite feeling out of place and hurt by the play's prejudice, Panna finds a strange sense of connection with Imre's goofy dance. Panna apologizes for ruining the evening, but Imre insists it is fine, so they decide to splurge for a cab home.

In the taxi, Panna reflects on her journey to America to pursue a Ph.D., which is a stark contrast to the limitations placed on her by her mother.

When Panna gets home, she finds her roommate, Charity, drinking wine on the floor. Charity, an immigrant from China, has been writing expensive checks and needs to discuss her relationship with her estranged husband, Eric.

Charity works as a hand model but spends extravagantly. She was recently involved with Phil, a musician, who seems to take advantage of her. Distressed, Charity says that her ex-husband Eric wants her back but also wants her to pay rent for his loft. 

For Panna, love is a complex matter. Her marriage was an arranged affair, as is traditional in Indian Hindu society. Nevertheless, she prepares to console her roommate late into the night.

Some hours later, Panna's husband calls from India. He says there has been a tragedy at the mill, with a firebombing resulting in the deaths of three people. Panna struggles to connect with her husband over the phone. He is devastated by the firebombing and expresses his need for her. Despite his traditional expectations of a wife, Panna admits she misses him too. Her husband plans to visit her...