Abdul's Hut

The burned remains of Abdul’s hut symbolize the convergence of love and sacrifice. While the home is the site of Meena’s deepest trauma she continues to see it as an emblem to the love she shared with Abdul. Their love was pure and unfettered by religious animosity but they had to sacrifice their physical safety to be married and start a family together. Later in the novel, Meena’s body is burned inside of the hut by the mob that kills her. While the violent men destroy her physical body and the remaining structure of Abdul’s hut, they are not able to destroy Meena’s love for her child. She sacrifices her life to ensure that Abru can live safely.

Meena's Scars

Meena’s scars from the fire symbolize the fear of violence she carries even after moving away from her brothers...