Cigarettes and Smoking

Smoking is consistently used as a symbol of rebellion from a traditional Punjabi lifestyle throughout the novel. Jason and Nikki agree to quit together, and every time Nikki smokes, she thinks of Jason and the ways in which they both are alike and different as they each navigate their modern lives in England and their traditional families.

The Fem Fighters Magnet

The magnet on Tarampal's fridge represents Maya's modern and Westernized philosophy. This feminist item connects Maya and Nikki, as Nikki used to hand out the magnets on street corners. The presence of the magnet undermines the tidy story of Maya's alleged suicide, discrediting the idea that Maya would have killed herself out of duty to her husband when holding fast to her feminist ideals and independence.

The Class Registration Forms

The registration sheets act as placeholders for each woman in the class, and...