In her work "In Other Words," Jhumpa Lahiri reflects on the struggle of capturing thoughts and memories. She shares her experience of stepping out of the woods and being met with the realization that most of her words slip away, leaving her with only a few. This metaphor illustrates the fleeting nature of language and how it can often elude us, despite our efforts to grasp it.

Lahiri's assertion that memory can betray us highlights the challenges she faces in her pursuit of expression. The idea that memory is as transient as water flowing through one’s fingers emphasizes the difficulty of retaining thoughts and experiences fully. This struggle is a central theme in her journey as she navigates the complexities of language, memory, and identity.