The Red Rubbish Tractor

The red rubbish tractor that appears in the first chapters of the novel symbolizes the wastefulness and impoverishment of the country described in the novel. The desperation with which the children sort through the trash contents of the tractor reflects the lack of other options for material stability.

The Belt of Peace

The belt of peace, which Matigari makes from a strip of wood when he lays down his arms, reflects the main character’s initial commitment to non-violence as a means of resistance. Matigari’s decision, later on, to remove the belt of peace symbolizes his rejection of non-violence as a viable means of resistance.

Matigari’s Gun

Matigari’s AK-47 machine gun, which he buries under a tree in the early chapters of the novel, represents Matigari’s past history as a revolutionary fighter. His decision to retake the gun reflects...