"He glanced up from his paperback tour book, which said 'INDIA'..." The story, "Interpreter of Maladies" is full of Irony. To begin with, the whole story is about a young Indian couple. They were both born in America, but first generation. The irony is that they know nothing about India, and in fact, the tour guide says they are more American that Indian. Another irony is the misinterpretation of what the tour guide's other job is. Mrs. Das thinks that he can cure her for keeping this secret from her family. When in fact, Mr. Kapasi just interprets between the patient and the doctor, he himself does not cure. He does, in the end, sort of cure her, but really only makes her realize that she just feels guilty and should tell the truth.