Rolls Royce

The Rolls Royce is a symbol of British rule of India. Also called a Silver Ghost, the Rolls Royce was a gift to the British governor from a wealthy king. It is used by the Hobson-Jones family when the governor is away, as Sir David Hobson-Jones, Alice’s father, oversees the government in his absence. When Perveen is returned to her Bombay home in the car, she is taunted with “English lover” (73)! What Perveen thought as a gallant and luxurious ride creates a stir in her community because the car symbolizes British oppression.

Lillian, Perveen’s Parrot

Lillian, Perveen’s parrot, is symbolic of Perveen’s life situations. The parrot is let loose from its cage each evening, and it flies around the courtyard. Perveen knows it would not fly too far, “and like a prodigal daughter, she always returned” (76) Like the parrot, Perveen appears...