With her own hand she'd painted herself into a corner, and then out of the picture altogether

With her own hand she'd painted herself into a corner, and then out of the picture altogether

Jhumpa Lahiri is a masterful storyteller who often explores themes of identity, belonging, and the complexities of human relationships in her works. In her writing, she delves deep into the lives of her characters, revealing their innermost thoughts and emotions with a keen eye for detail and nuance. One of the recurring motifs in Lahiri's stories is the idea of being trapped or confined by one's own choices and circumstances, and the struggle to break free from these constraints.

The phrase "With her own hand she'd painted herself into a corner, and then out of the picture altogether" encapsulates this theme perfectly. It suggests a sense of agency and self-determination, as well as the consequences of one's actions. In Lahiri's stories, her characters often find themselves in situations where they feel trapped or stuck, unable to escape the confines of their own making. They make choices that lead them down a path of isolation and alienation, cutting themselves off from the world around them.