Images of Lonliness
The images of loneliness have been portrayed through the character of Laila. She was left alone after the death of her parents. She suffered this loss and later on her grandfather also died who was his guardian, after the death of her parents. The restrictions imposed by her uncle did not allow her to live her life according to her own choices. The loneliness in her life compelled her to join a group of rebels in which she was not particularly interested. She was ostracized by her uncle in different matters which increased her aloofness. After falling in love with Ameer, she married him by going against the family. The images of loneliness are more recurrent when Ameer dies, and Laila is left behind without anyone to console her.
Death Imagery
The imagery of death is also prevalent in the novel. Laila suffers the death of her closed ones. First of all, her mother died, and her father played the role of both parents. After the death of her mother, her father passed away and left her as a complete orphan. Her grandfather became her guardian and he supported her in every possible way, but he also left her alone after his death. After suffering for years, she meets Ameer but after their marriage, he also dies in an attack on Muslims during the partition of India. Laila suffered the loss of her intimate relationships whether it was her parents, or her husband and she was left behind to face the tragedies of life. The shadows of death lingered around her throughout her life.
Images of Patriarchy
Laila’s uncle has been portrayed as a brutal patriarch, who wanted to rule his family. He becomes Laila’s guardian after the death of her grandfather, and he does not consent her to seek liberal education. Although he pretends to be an open-minded person, but he solely acts as an authoritarian and a conservative person. He aspires to control Laila’s life according to his desires. He gives her a set of rules which were made by him and instructs that Laila must have to follow them. He often criticizes her for not showing her involvement in the matters of his concern. Despite of knowing that Laila loves Ameer, he does not permit her to marry him because he was not rich like them. When Laila does not follow his guidelines, he gives away his relationship with her.
