Cosmopolitan magazine

In general, Cosmopolitan symbolizes American Culture to Gopal. He believes he needs to heed the advice written in this magazine in order to understand and win favor with Mrs Shaw.

Red nail polish

Mrs Shaw’s red toe nails symbolizes sexual experience to Gopal. He comments that his wife never wore it and he is excited by it when he sees it. It appears bold to him and he infers that the wearer will be bold too.

Prayer

Prayer symbolizes hope to Ajay and his mother. It is the only way they can feel some sense of control over what has happened. The hope that prayer can cure Birju is the only thing keeping them from complete despair.

Manshu’s phone business.

Manshu’s phone business symbolizes disrespect and dishonor to the narrator and his family. They believe it is inappropriate for a pandit to...