Other Bengalis gossiped about him and prayed their own children would not ruin their lives in the same way. And so he became what all parents feared, a blot, a failure, someone who was not contributing to the grand circle of accomplishments Bengali children were making across the country, as surgeons or attorneys or scientists, or writing articles for the front page of The New York Times.
In Jhumpa Lahiri's "Unaccustomed Earth," the protagonist faces societal judgment and disappointment from the Bengali community. His choices lead others to gossip, as they express concerns about their own children's futures in light of his perceived failures. This highlights the pressure placed on individuals to succeed according to cultural expectations.
As a result, he becomes emblematic of what parents dread—someone who disrupts the narrative of success that is celebrated in their community. Instead of joining the ranks of accomplished professionals, he stands out as a failure, failing to contribute to the achievements of his peers, which compounds the stigma he faces from those around him.