Rivers

The Sundarban rivers, which stretch almost 300 kilometers, symbolize both life and death for the islanders. On the boundaries between land and sea live dolphins, tigers, crocodiles, and snakes. Cyclones are also common which can cause life-threatening tidal waves and floods. But, the rivers do not only represent danger, they are also essential for work, travel, food water, and the sustainability of island life.

The Hungry Tide

The hungry tide of the title symbolizes the literal hunger of the poverty-stricken islanders as well as the hunger of nature. It also symbolizes the emotional tide in which the characters find themselves caught.

Tigers

Like the rivers, tigers are also symbolic of the danger of nature and are treated with veneration. The islanders will not even speak their name as they believe this will summon them. According to Nilima, tigers kill several people every week and Kusum tells Kanai...