Perspective and Deception

Dwight Huntsinger notices the role of perspective on one’s view of a new place in Paul Theroux’s The Elephanta Suite as he is continually deceived. At first, India intimidates him. It’s known for dirtiness, havoc in the streets, and the bad condition of the food and water. Dwight rents out the Elephanta Suite and attaches himself to Indru while surprising himself how well he adapts to Indian life.

He takes on a new perspective on life when he abandons his relationships from his home and finds Indru’s “family” to take care of. Shah introduces to him Mahavratas, Karma, and other Indian views, which date to before Christianity began. They change Dwight convincing him that the Indians have strong morals and it gives him a sense of duty when he finds out Indru was beaten and raped. Indru is not just a prostitute, but she represents sensuality in India. Dwight finds it okay to be with her because India is a more sensual place than the states and she needs him for support  

One of the points the Mahavratas tries to make is to “lack all possessions”. Near the end of the 2nd book, Dwight spends almost no time in his room, lives frugally and notices materialism in everyone he has met. Indru is not struggling for muster up money for food at all; she uses him out of greed. She even quit her job because Dwight can sustain her with presents and money. Dwight really starts to question the morality of the Indians after Shah returns from taking care of some of his own business meetings in the United States.

Theroux writes, “… Shah had praised the Americans he met: very moral, very decent, very faithful, very humble, truthful in all things” (170) when there evidently is immorality all over. Shah tries to just say “the meetings went well” as a report so Dwight does not know about secret deals. Shah even prevents the Harvard men from meeting Dwight so he can take credit for the deals out of greed. I first wondered whether Dwight thought he would skew their opinions of India or something. I couldn’t piece why Dwight’s clients would be with Shah until it comes out. Shah who shared his own beliefs defied them too for the sake of greed.