Shame
Shame is a clear theme throughout the book. Omar is instructed by his mother to live a life entirely free of shame. As a result, he engages in acts of debauchery and leads a very hedonistic life, acting as a prime example of shamelessness. His complete lack of shame leads him to be both selfish and cruel. In contrast, his wife Sufiya is filled with shame, as she absorbs the unresolved shame in the world around her and feels the shame with which both of her parents view her. The result of this pent-up shame that she is experiencing is violence, as she becomes possessed by a "beast" inside of her that makes her rip off people's heads. In this way, Rushdie seems to suggest that shame is the root of many conflicts, because when it is left unresolved, it causes bloodshed.
Dictatorship
Dictatorship is another major theme in the book. Both Iskander Harrappa and Raza Hyder seize power in Peccavistan and establish dictatorships. Iskander claims that his will is that of the common people and not the wealthy or the colonizers. Both men also rule with a great deal of brutality, torturing and executing and killing their enemies to keep their hold on power. However, is effective only to a point, as Iskander is eventually executed by Raza and Raza is murdered by Omar's mothers, as revenge for the killing of their son Babar. The dictatorships portrayed in the novel are brutal and unstable, as they create a cycle of violence that never seems to end or abate.
The Oppression of Women
Another major theme in the novel is the oppression of women. Many of the female characters in the novel struggle with being mistreated in daily life and facing persistent sexism. Arjumand Harappa wants to be a career politician but is forced to battle against negative assumptions made about her ability to lead. In a different manner, Sufiya is the constant recipient of her family's unprocessed shame, which ends up turning her into a violent and dangerous beast. As rulers, both Iskander and Raza engage in the active oppression of women, forcing laws that restrict their bodily autonomy. In this way, the book explores how women's lives are limited by political power and social conventions.
Political Violence
Political violence is another major theme in the book. In an early section of the book, Bilquis' father is killed in a bombing at a local cinema. The narrator notes that the identity of the planter of this bomb is unknown, as there were many different political groups engaging in this kind of action. In this instance, and others like it, violence is portrayed as scattered, lacking a clear purpose or aim but designed to cause as much harm as possible. Political violence in the novel is shown as incredibly damaging and without a real sense of coherence.
Tradition
Tradition is a significant theme in the book. Various characters, particularly Iskander, Harappa, and Mahmoud the Woman, express a strong desire to preserve cultural traditions. All three go so far as to use violence to maintain these values, as both Iskander and Harappa use their political power to codify their religious beliefs into law. This results in the oppression of many people, as well as a widespread sense of fear and worry in the country. The narrator, functioning as a stand-in for Rushdie himself, suggests that tradition is often used as a rallying cry for dictators and violent political dissidents.
Loyalty
Loyalty is another major theme in the book. At the end of the novel, Omar returns to his home in Nishapur. His mothers chastise him for his lack of respect for his deceased brother, Babar, as he chose to befriend Iskander despite his direct involvement in Babar's death. For this reason, they criticize him harshly, saying he tarnished the memory of his brother. Similarly, Omar's mothers remain so loyal and devoted to Babar's memory that they take long-awaited revenge on Raza Hyder, stabbing him and then killing him with the dumbwaiter in their home. Loyalty appears in the book as an essential part of familial and political relationships: characters rely on it, and when they find it lacking they frequently end up being killed or imprisoned.
Marriage
Marriage is another key theme in the book. Many of the marriages depicted in the book are fraught with significant issues. Iskander is married to Rani, but cheats on her with Pinkie. Similarly, Bilquis is married to Raza, but also cheats on him. Omar falls in love with Sufiya and ends up marrying her, but is unable to have a real relationship with her, as she is mentally a child and struggles with the shame she absorbs from the world around her. Marriage in the novel is depicted as a social necessity that rarely results in a happy union.
