Dr. Ruth

Dr. Ruth symbolizes the relative openness of sex-related culture in the Unite States. Dr. Ruth is a renowned sex therapist, and after Kailash arrives in America, he is surprised to hear Dr. Ruth speaking frankly and explicitly about sexual matters on the radio. In Kailash’s experience, Indian culture is much more sexually repressed.

Jennifer’s Abortion

Jennifer’s pregnancy and abortion symbolize the shared strain of traumatic challenges within relationships. After Jennifer becomes pregnant, Kailash agrees to help pay for the abortion. However, the trauma of the pregnancy and abortion cause much emotional strain for Jennifer and Kailash, and their relationship ends due to this strain.

The Gulf War

The Gulf War symbolizes the manifestation of colonial politics in modern contexts. Ehsaan and many others protest the Gulf War, for they view it as a needless act of aggression by the U.S. government...