Money

Money symbolizes opportunity and hope in the novel. Each of the characters dreams of escaping their current reality and experiencing an easier life and more money and financial stability.

Violence

Violence symbolizes intimidation in the novel. Maati utilizes violence in order to intimidate Halima into ceasing her divorce proceedings and in order to force her to give him her hard-earned money so that he can drink.

Ocean

The ocean symbolizes turbulence and fear in the novel.

Nature

Nature symbolizes freedom and a desire to escape. For the migrants, the time they spend on the boat robs them of the peace that nature usually affords.

Hope

Hope symbolizes a tether to the past and desire to return to a more stable way of life in the novel. The characters collectively pine for the chance to return to their family structure and the close sibling and friendship bonds...