When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine

When Mr. Pirzada Came to Dine,” written by Jhumpa Lahiri, discuses the differences between Pakistan and the United States, through the way a family lives and dines with Mr. Pirzada.
Told from the view point of a ten year old child, Lilia, this story is based during a time of war in 1971 between India and Pakistan. Lilia moves to the United States with her parents who are from Calcutta. They move for a better life for Lilia and themselves. Lilia has no knowledge or interest in the world conflict until Mr. Pirzada begins to dine with her parents.
Lilia gets used to Mr. Pirzada coming for dinner and she begins to refer to him as the Indian man. Lilia’s father quickly corrects her and tells her that Mr. Pirzada is now Muslim, not Indian. He asks her what she knows about what is going on in the world and Lilia has no idea. Lilia has a difficult time understanding because all she seems to learn in school is American History. Lilia’s father becomes very displeased that ...