A person's life revolves around the little things: a moment of silence, a time full of laughter, a time of hope. It is this theme that is conveyed in Jhumpa Lahiri's short story, A Temporary Matter. Through the selected passage, the reader connects to the theme: Life is too short; life is a temporary matter. This theme is supported through three elements in the piece: the title, the child and the starting concept. Each of these facets is seen through the use of the literary elements of metaphor, irony, and foreshadowing. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay A temporary issue follows the deterioration of a marriage. This journey takes place over a week in which Shukumar hopes that he and his wife Shoba will rekindle their love. The passage to be analyzed reflects a moment in their marriage that is distilled and almost frozen for the reader. However, this passage highlights the importance of theme in this tale, through the inclusiveness of the three key literary elements mentioned above. The title of this story, A Temporary Matter, is a metaphor for life and, in particular, the life of the married couple: Shukumar and Shoba. While the title is a metaphor for life, it also foreshadows the past and present relationship between Shukumar and Shoba. Specifically, it highlights how their marriage was, and always will be, a temporary matter. Even the title of this work is ironic. This is demonstrated through questioning a core value in society that life and marriage are full of happiness and a good worthy of celebration. This convention is questioned right from the title and presents a contrary vision of marriage, that is, that from the beginning it is temporary and doomed to failure. While this may be an increasingly typical feature of marriage in a contemporary sense, it is rarely a view that is adopted into the relationship by consenting couples. Lahiri also explores the idea that life is a temporary experience through the use of the literary element, foreshadowing. In essence, the author is preparing the reader to understand that what lies in the pages before them is nothing more than a temporary journey for her characters. The title, therefore, significantly underlines the thematic concept of the story: Life is too short; it is a temporary matter. Another convention called into question is creation. While new life is typically described as an act that brings joy and happiness into the lives of many people, the child in this passage from A Temporary Matter could not contrast more starkly with these emotions. The depiction of the child is metaphorical and, once again, prefigures the couple's relationship. The sanctity of a couple's union passes through their children. The concept of a stillborn child, therefore, challenges the convention that children should not die before their parents. It also exemplifies that the marriage was never alive to begin with. He was dead, inert and lifeless like the child. The longer Shoba stayed at work…the more [Shukumar] wanted to stay (Lahiri 2). The happy ending never works out as planned. In this case the marriage was over, almost before it began. Marriage is a strong bond between two people. His place in society is protected and considered sacred. Lahiri, however, questions her perception of permanence because life is too short; life is a temporary matter. Foreshadow is also used to tie together the critical themes of this passage through the starting notion. The concept of leaving is another social norm.