Marriage

In the novel, marriage symbolizes the frequently destructive nature of culturally propagated institutions. The narrative repeatedly demonstrates how marriage can be used as a tool of oppression against women, as they are forced into marriages against their will. As a result, none of these marriages are healthy or fulfilling, and thus the institution is destructive and dysfunctional.

Slavery

Slavery symbolizes the need to reevaluate and reform society in order to dismantle destructive institutions. The novel examines both slavery and marriage as institutions that cause destruction based on the removal of individual will. Thus, the abolition of slavery in Oman is presented as a positive change because social progress and reevaluation has helped to dismantle a profoundly destructive sociopolitical institution.

Abolition

Abolition symbolizes social progress, and it also symbolizes the inevitability of resistance to social progress. When Oman abolishes slavery, the moment is a victory for morality...