Robinson is a former teacher of English literature and creative writing and, as of 2006, is a full-time writer and editor. In the following essay, she examines how the mirage of the perfect life is explored in “Meeting Mrinal.”

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni's “Meeting Mrinal” opens on a scene in which Indian-born and newly divorced Asha prepares a meal for herself and her teenage son, Dinesh. Food and cooking identify a central theme of the story. Here, they symbolize how far Asha has departed from her accustomed wifely practice of preparing elaborate Indian meals from fresh ingredients. Now, Asha and Dinesh make do with ready-made pizza and whatever remnants of moldy vegetables Asha can find in her refrigerator. Dinesh often eats at Burger King, where he works. The scene is loaded with significance. It is traditional for an Indian wife to cook complex meals from scratch for her family...